Rochdale Community Team

What is my role? 

I’m Fi, the Community Development Worker for Heywood and Middleton, my role is to support groups and organisations in their development pathways. I help organisations and groups to prepare their documentation and help them to secure the funding to realise their aims; to make their neighbourhoods and communities a better, healthier and more inclusive place to live. I also encourage these organisations to connect with each other, to enhance their local impact by working together, where they share similar aims. 

What most excites me about this role? 

I love to work with communities and to support people to achieve their ambitions for their neighbourhoods and their local needs. I feel lucky to meet inspiring, local people in the community every day. Each with such passion, determination, and commitment who are striving to make a difference. To turn dreams into reality. I enjoy being part of this process and harnessing the support of Action Together in the development of an organisation through the use of tools and coaching. I am so proud to be part of the dynamic team at Action Together and to be able to assist in this creative process and to see projects developing strengths and sustainability. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

I knew of Action Together through work I have been engaged in in other boroughs of Greater Manchester. I was always impressed by the groups I met where Action Together were involved. I am passionate about people’s rights to equality and inclusiveness, and about empowering communities to realise their strengths. I was particularly excited to be given this opportunity, as I also have previously worked in Rochdale and I know this is a ‘can do’ borough. And, Action Together is a ‘can do’ organisation. 

My hopes for Rochdale are... 

I hope to see Rochdale continue it’s journey of growth, and maintain it’s fantastic heritage, as a warm, friendly, inclusive and creative, northern borough.

What is my role? 

My name is Hayley and I’m the Grants and Membership Administrator in the Rochdale team at Action Together. I help to get funding to where it's needed most in communities across the Rochdale Borough. 

What is my role? 

My role involves administering the Rochdale Communities Fund and the internal funding opportunities within this fund that are available for VCFSE groups to apply for across the Rochdale Borough. Another main part of my role is supporting our ever-growing membership and ensuring that all members are aware of what support they have access to. I feel it is really important that all members receive regular communication to ensure that we are led by what they want and need. 

What most excites me about this role? 

Investment is such an important part of the work that all the amazing VCFSE groups do in communities, so being involved in the grants process and being able to share positive news when a group is successful in applying for funding is a great part of my role. I am really passionate about seeing members develop and grow in their own journey with support from the Action Together team and hearing how their projects that we have supported have had positive impacts on individuals and families. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

I have worked for Action Together for just over four years and was the first person to start as part of the Rochdale Team - I was instantly interested in applying for my role when I saw it advertised after reading Action Together’s values; Strengthen others, Believe it’s possible and Be True. I enjoy being part of a team who are all so passionate and enthusiastic about the work that we do in supporting and strengthening the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector. 

My hopes for Rochdale are... 

That our members and the whole of the VCFSE sector continues to grow and thrive, and that more investment is available for VCFSE organisations so that they can continue the invaluable work that they do in communities across the Borough.

What is my role? 

I am the Violence Reduction Unit Facilitator for Rochdale and currently working on a project in Darnhill. This is a community led programme to reduce serious youth violence within the Darnhill area. My role is to co-design activities and priorities with young people, based on their ideas and insights and make sure that the voices of young people and communities are heard throughout the Violence Reduction Programme. I engage with young people and communities to understand the strengths and challenges of the area, mapping physical assets and getting to know who lives and works there to make their neighbourhood and community a better, safer, healthier and more inclusive place to live. My role includes creating and strengthening relationships between partners, supporting the activity of a local funding panel distributing investment for the VRU community led programme and encouraging regular networking, learning, feedback and engagement events. 

What most excites me about this role? 

I have always loved working with young people and I am passionate about making a difference in communities and their lives. What excites me is that I get to meet and talk to young people, local residents to hear their issues and concerns and then work with the local groups and the community to design services that will create change and improve behaviours in order to reduce violence and make their community a safe place to live. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

I knew about Action Together through my voluntary work in Manchester, I love the work the organisation does strengthening and supporting the voluntary sector. My passion lies in fighting discrimination of any kind and I am passionate about empowering communities and promoting equity. I love to be part of something that is creating change for the better and making a difference which is what Action Together does and this is why I kept looking for jobs within the organisation and finally got the Violence Reduction Facilitator role. 

My hopes for Rochdale are... 

To create a safe community for everyone a community were young people have endless opportunities to end up in education, employment or training. To have long term solutions that will be sustained for the future so that results are lasting and support will always be available.

What is my role? 

I’m Julie. I’m the Community Development Worker in the Rochdale team. My role is to strengthen our community and voluntary groups by providing support to run their group, find and secure resources and work together to do more. ​I support people get help, provide opportunities to get better connected to what is going on and find the support they need. 

What most excites me about this role? 

There are hundreds of people changing lives, improving neighbourhoods, and contributing positively within our borough. It is my role to help offer a range of support to strengthen communities and get more done. I love that we can help empower local people and communities to identify what matters to them and turn ideas into action. I like being able to signpost the sector to use our development tools and techniques to ensure the VCFSE is operating safely and efficiently. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

I am born and raised in the Rochdale borough and have worked for over 35 years supporting groups in the sport and physical activity sector. When I saw the job advertised in 2021, I knew this was my opportunity to get back working in Rochdale so I could apply my skills, face new challenges, and work within the VCFSE sector again. 

I know that our VCFSE sector has so much to give to this borough and if I can help just a little bit to make a meaningful impact, contribute to a larger goal, or make a difference in their field I want to be there, at the forefront of their development and success. I have so much respect and admiration for all the volunteers who do what they do through passion and love for their chosen cause. It’s such a humbling role. 

My hopes for Rochdale are... 

That our VCFSE sector can thrive and flourish through adversity and finally have the recognition they deserve through sustainable long-term funding. I want to know that Action Together will be around in years to come to continue to offer the connection, strength, influence and development opportunities that the sector needs to stay strong.

What is my role? 

My name is Nichelle (with an N not an M!) and I work as the Systems Change Facilitator for the Rochdale team. This is a role that has transitioned from Neighbourhood Facilitator which included development and facilitating work, to focusing more specifically into deeply rooted systemic issues affecting our communities and how we positively and cooperatively transform these from the bottom up. My role does this by nurturing cross-system relationships and facilitating thematic networks including Women’s Services Network, Refugee and Asylum Seeker Forum, and LGBT+ Forum. 

What most excites me about this role? 

The thing that excites me the most is to be part of real tangible change for those most disadvantaged in Rochdale. My passions lie in promoting racial equity, the rights of women and our Refugee and Asylum-seeking community, my role enables me to advocate for these issues and be an additional support in raising the voices of those disadvantaged by the current system, that is what I love about my job. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

I was looking for a role in the voluntary sector when I came across the Grants Admin role at Action Together, I had never worked in the voluntary sector before so was unsure as to what to expect and it took me a while to understand the role of the infrastructure organisation. I have now been with Action Together for two years and absolutely love my job. It’s a privilege to be able to support the VCFSE sector and to watch them grow and support the vast amount of people they do, they truly are the fourth emergency service. Every day is different and the team I work in are incredibly supportive, I have been encouraged by management into new roles, pushed out of my comfort zone to grow as a facilitator and trusted with my ideas and creativity. 

My hopes for Rochdale are... 

Gosh, I have so many hopes for Rochdale. I hope that the relationships between the local authority and the VCFSE sector continues to flourish for the greater good of the Rochdale people. I hope that opportunities continue to come to Rochdale so we are able to set an example of excellent community spirit for other small towns. I hope that we continue to strive to be a safe place for young girls and women, and I hope that the pride of the Rochdale people continues whilst we graciously welcome new cultures and communities into the borough.

What is my role? 

I work as the Systems Change Facilitator for the Rochdale team. My role is to progress our approaches to enabling social change through partnerships and collaboration and I facilitate network meetings with various organisations and individuals around specific areas. 

What most excites me about this role? 

What excites me the most about this role is the potential to make meaningful change for the people of Rochdale. I'm excited to work with people who know the community best, to try to get to the bottom of deep rooted complex issues and start to try to unpick them. I’m excited about putting the community at the heart of decision making and shaping the future of Rochdale with the people who know it best driving that change. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

After nine years of working across the VCFSE sector, working in adult mental health, youth activism and social connection I started to see repeating patterns, brilliant work being done (often underfunded), things having to come to an end and then the issue that they were set up to address continues. This often led me to the question of ‘how do we make sustainable change?’; how do we embed brilliant work so it isn't at the whims of funding cycles and top down agendas? When I saw the Systems Change role come up at Action Together I knew this was the perfect opportunity to start looking into those questions, and taking action to achieve long term change. 

My hopes for Rochdale are... 

I don’t really know where to start! I hope Rochdale seizes a moment that offers a great opportunity for change and to do things differently. I hope Rochdale invests in what it already has - its' brilliant people and ideas. I hope that we start to see Rochdale on the news for the right reasons. I hope to continue to see the public sector and VCFSE's sectors relationship develop, and that both collaborate to create a borough where people can flourish.

What is my role? 

I’m Philip. I’m one of the Volunteer Support Officers in the Rochdale team. My role involves connecting individuals and local groups together. I help people find volunteer roles that match their interests, skills, knowledge, experience, and/or hobbies. I work closely with local groups in Rochdale such as charities and community groups, helping them to advertise, promote and share the benefits of volunteering. 

What most excites me about this role? 

I have seen first hand the difference volunteering can have on a person’s health and wellbeing. To get back into a routine, to socialise, to grow in confidence – these are just some of the benefits to volunteering, and for me to play a small part in helping people to grow as a person is so rewarding. When a volunteer enjoys their time, the benefits to them, and the organisation, are fantastic to observe. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

Back in 2010 I became ill with a life-limiting illness and had to give up my job as a Transport Manager. During this time, finding motivation and the will to keep going was very difficult. I then went to a medical appointment, and it was mentioned that there was an organisation called CVS that placed volunteers and that it maybe beneficial for me to have a look. Before long, I was volunteering with CVS for two hours per week, and being able to concentrate my time on something besides my illness was great. As time grew, I began volunteering half-a-day, then one day, then two days per week, and before long I was working 16 hours per week (which was the maximum hours I could do). Then, four years ago, Action Together were awarded the contract in Rochdale and replaced CVS. The one thing that has always stuck with me is, that no matter what, my situation is I am supported. We have a great team of people that genuinely care about each other and it’s a pleasure coming into work. Action Together is now expanding its work in the local community and we look forward to assisting more people and organisations in the Rochdale Borough whilst keeping to our core values - 'Believe it’s possible', 'Strengthen others' and 'Be true' 

My hopes for Rochdale are... 

To convey our message to as many people as possible to enable them to empower themselves.

What is my role? 

My name is Asma, and I am one of the Volunteer Support Officers in the Rochdale Team. My role involves assisting individuals who are seeking volunteering opportunities by connecting them with local groups and businesses that offer such positions. I help these individuals find suitable roles by considering their interests, skills, knowledge, experience, and hobbies. Additionally, I support them in using our system so they can independently apply for volunteering opportunities and determine what roles would be most beneficial and appealing to them. Another key part of my role is supporting local organisations, communities, charities, social enterprises, and businesses. I work closely with job centres to support people within these organisations in finding suitable volunteer roles. This includes coordinating with workplaces to allow employees to volunteer, whether on a monthly or annual basis, depending on their policies. 

What most excites me about this role? 

What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people's lives. I love helping individuals on a journey that boosts their confidence, self-esteem, and helps them come out of isolation. Volunteering offers numerous health and personal benefits, something I have experienced firsthand. Having suffered from severe mental health issues in the past, I found that volunteering played a crucial role in my recovery. It provided me with skills, experience, and a transitional space between isolation and employment. This flexibility allowed me to gain knowledge and confidence, establish a routine, and believe in myself. Seeing others blossom and become confident and empowered is incredibly fulfilling. Working with people and empowering them to use their voices and skills is something I deeply enjoy. Volunteering reconnects individuals with their community, enhancing their well-being in many ways. Now, as part of Action Together, I find immense satisfaction in watching others thrive, knowing that I played a part in their journey. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

What drew me to Action Together is my positive experience with the organisation from multiple angles. I founded my own Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2021, which started as a community group in 2020. Throughout this journey, Action Together provided me with invaluable support. As a member, I received assistance with governance, policies, advocacy, funding, and organisational growth. Their continuous updates, free training sessions, and unwavering support were instrumental in pushing my charity forward. I later applied to be a trustee of Action Together, to my delight, I was accepted and had the chance to meet other trustees and observe how deeply the organisation cares about its members, communities, staff, and volunteers. Action Together truly lives by its values: 'Believe it's possible', 'Strengthen others', and 'Be true'. They have consistently demonstrated these principles in their work with me, my organisation, and other groups. After years of volunteering, I felt ready to apply for the role of Volunteer Support Officer. I was particularly attracted to Action Together’s values, their ethical approach, and their genuine care for employees. As a single mom, I appreciate their flexibility and understanding of staff's diverse life responsibilities. When I found out I got the job, I was thrilled and overjoyed. I am excited to give my all in this role and continue making a positive impact through Action Together. 

My hopes for Rochdale are... 

My hope for Rochdale is that it becomes a safe place for women, girls, and families. I want Rochdale to openly address difficult and stigmatized topics, creating a community that is unafraid to discuss important issues. I also hope that local authorities can develop strong relationships with the voluntary and community (VC) and faith and social care (FSC) sectors. Rather than working separately, these entities should collaborate and help everyone accept each other's experiences. Additionally, I hope we can help people build their confidence, resilience, and self-esteem so they can make independent choices and have a brighter future. I envision a community where people feel more connected through volunteering, leading some to pursue further education or employment, or simply gain valuable life lessons. Ultimately, I hope we can build a foundation for the next generation to thrive.