Oldham

Volunteer Voices 2024, Meet Gillian

Gillian’s journey began a while ago and she has been involved in a range of volunteer roles throughout the years. From volunteering at Age UK in 1993, to volunteering in chaplaincy, admin, reception, then onto her current volunteering role with Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in their charity shop.

In 2012 Gillian was, unfortunately, made redundant after 18 years. From here, she made contact with Action Together to discuss volunteering ideas. Gillian then went on to volunteer with Action Together as a Receptionist, volunteered at Positive Steps Oldham, and with First Choice Homes supporting their administration.

During her time as a volunteer Gillian also found paid employment at a local school, a football club and found the time to run her own business! She is a friend, a mum and a wife, and loves to walk her dog. We don't know how she fits it all in but Gillian certainly likes to keep herself busy!

Gillian told us that the benefits of volunteering have had a huge impact on her life including gaining employment, meeting new people, planning days out with new friends, and enjoying herself.

Hear from Gillian in her own words as she shares her experience as a volunteer;

Gillian's role at Dr Kershaw’s charity involves her welcoming people, stock checking, sorting donations, steaming and using the till. The reason Gillian volunteers is to support her local community and give something back. Her late Mum had helping hands support from Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, and she found that volunteering was a great way to support a local charity close to her heart. She says;

"Volunteer and go for it! What have you got to lose? Theres only things you can gain!"

Volunteer Voices 2024, Meet Findel

Employer Supported Volunteering, or Corporate Volunteering, is where the employees of an organisation take time to volunteer during work hours, or organise volunteer activities. Action Together works with local groups across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside to develop volunteering projects and roles, and then matches workplaces that want to volunteer with local organisations who need their help.

Last year Action Together were approached by Hyde-based Findel Education with a request to help them find an opportunity for their staff to get involved in volunteering.

We were already supporting our member organisation Hattersley Projects to recruit new volunteers by advertising their volunteer opportunities through the volunteering directory on our website, social media and volunteering emails. This quickly found six new volunteers to support their projects, helping them get involved in gardening, woodwork, painting, and learning new skills around sustainability and growing flowers, fruit and vegetables.

As part of of our Employer Supported Volunteering offer in Tameside, we then linked Hattersley Projects with Findel Education, and a team of four employees attended for a volunteer day.

Sharmain, Volunteer Lead at Hattersley Projects, said;

"They cleared the space beside our entrance and planted flowers to make the area more welcoming. The difference it has made is huge and we have had nothing but compliments about the first impressions walking into our site.

A massive thank you to Katie, Maria and Paul who worked tirelessly in the heat to make a huge difference to an area of the centre and a big difference for their community. It’s employers and people that volunteer here who make the biggest difference and can help us in many different ways. Thanks also to Action Together who supported us, and who continue to do so."

group of women in front of delivery van saying 'the bread and butter thing'

Following their volunteer day at Hattersley Projects, Findel Education continued their drive to support local charities, and Action Together connected them with Community Matters.

Community Matters is run through the Hattersley Community Hub and helps support families across Tameside. The aim of the campaign was to help families in need by providing pencil cases filled with stationery to children to use as part of their learning. For many families the cost of stationery is one that very few can afford. This appeal goes a long way in ensuring children have the equipment they need to learn and that they don’t feel that they are missing out because they don’t have some of the things that other children do.

Claire Greave from Findel Education said;

“We were more than happy to donate 100 filled pencil cases to their cause as it’s important to us here at Findel that we support children’s education however we can. Part of our ethos ‘growing education for generations’ is to ensure that everyone gets a fair chance, and that’s why campaigns like these ones really matter. Thanks to Jacqueline and Janet for visiting and we can’t wait to hear how this campaign makes a difference.

Action Together helps bring people and communities together and we simply wouldn’t get to hear about all these amazing charities and groups if it wasn’t for you, so thank you!”

Findel were thrilled to support and, following their initial involvement with Community Matters, they have gone on to support them on more occasions - with donations of toys and games at Christmas to distribute across the community, and with another employee volunteer day supporting The Bread and Butter Thing in Hattersley!

Want to know more?

If your team would like to volunteer together, find out more about Employer Supported Volunteering at: www.actiontogether.org.uk/ESV

two women holding gifts of toy donations

Volunteer Voices 2024, Meet Samson

We are thrilled to hear, in his words, how Samson's volunteering journey is flourishing, the huge benefits he's bringing to the community, and the personal sense of achievement and wellbeing he's taking from his role.

Samson told us;

“I am originally from Rwanda. I have been in England since 2022. Being part of the Tameside community, I feel a moral obligation to contribute to its development in any way. I have undertaken the process of volunteering with New Life Church for the role English Conversation Facilitator. I speak English, French and Swahili fluently. I also have intermediate level of Luganda (largely spoken in Uganda).

The role involves teaching basic English on an agreed topic, encouraging learning through conversation and practice. Learners are from Tameside communities who need help to improve their communication in English.

Action Together was my lightening candle and entry gate into volunteering. They walked me through the volunteering process and made the necessary arrangements and connections for me to begin volunteering. They also regularly provide useful information through their resourceful website and eBulletins.”

Volunteer Voices 2024, Meet National Gas

In November 2023, as part of of our Employer Supported Volunteering offer in Rochdale, we successfully placed employees from National Gas with The Bond Board. National Gas approached us expressing their wish to undertake a volunteering day to support a local group that really need that extra help. After speaking with several groups, one that stood out to was The Bond Board.

The Bond Board has been operating in Rochdale since 1993 and is a registered charity that exists to reduce homelessness by getting people on low incomes into private rented accommodation. One of many support initiatives they offer is their regular 'Quid's In' coffee mornings at St Andrews Church in Rochdale, and they were in need of volunteers to support in the kitchen as well as front of house.

National Gas were more than happy to support and, since volunteering in November, they have developed quite a partnership and have since returned to volunteer again for The Bond Board in January this year!

group of five young people in community centre smiling

Emma Bellis, National Gas said;

“I just want to say a big thank you for allowing myself and my team to come and volunteer on Wednesday, we had a great time!

We really enjoyed having an opportunity to understand The Bond Board, the super hard-working team you have there and also meet the people who depend on your services. Also thank you Action Together for helping set this up for us.”

The Bond Board said;

“It was so good to welcome four Employer Supported Volunteers from National Gas with us at our Coffee Morning today. They got stuck in with supporting our existing volunteers in the kitchen and helping to manage our donations table. They enjoyed it so much they want to come back! A big thank you to Action Together for facilitating what will hopefully be a brilliant ongoing partnership.”

young woman and man smiling helping in community kitchen

Volunteer Celebration Fund | Our success stories from 2023

As part of this years’ Volunteers’ Week celebrations, we launched our ever popular Action Together Volunteer Celebration Fund for 2024.

The fund invites VCFSE groups from Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside to apply for a grant of up to £500 to host an event or activity to celebrate and say thanks to their volunteers. It really is the perfect opportunity for your organisation to honour every one of your volunteers, celebrate their achievements and their fantastic contributions that make a difference within our communities.

We’re sure you have heaps of wonderful ideas and plans already but if you needed any inspiration, just take a look at these amazing activities that our members were able to deliver using grants from our Volunteer Celebration Fund during 2023.

All Sufficient Sanctuary

All Sufficient Sanctuary hosted their Volunteer Celebration Programme in September 2023. The celebration started with a welcome speech by Chair; Veronica Afemikhe. In her speech, she thanked the volunteers for their selfless efforts in the last year and also highlighted some of the achievements in the period under review. This include the record number of people All Sufficient Sanctuary were able to reach in last year.

Volunteers were presented with a Certificate of Commendation and gift vouchers, to thank them for their contributions. Food and drink was also provided at the celebration, and the cutting of the celebration cake was a notable highlight of the event.

All Sufficient Sanctuary also used the opportunity to introduce new people into the volunteer workforce.

large group of people cutting cake at a celebration event

Royton and Crompton Over 60’s

Royton & Crompton Over 60’s hosted a fabulous celebration lunch for 44 of their volunteers. The volunteers were treated to a fish and chip lunch which, "went down a treat!" followed by a variety of sweets, cheese and biscuits and a large celebration cake. The group also gave volunteers a Gift of a Bush for their gardens and a goody bag with a variety of items such as chocolates, note book and pen.

"We all had a wonderful afternoon celebrating and may thanks go to Action Together and their team for the support we receive, especially from Adele who is a gem.

Our volunteer members, many who live alone, state that having a lunch together is the highlight of their week. Friendships are formed over the weeks, and even more so over the intimacy of a meal. Thanks you so much for your support."

older people's group smiling holding gift plant pots

SAWN

To celebrate their volunteers' contribution, SAWN took advantage of a lovely summers day and held a barbeque at GROWE, their community Orchard in Failsworth. The volunteers were able to enjoy delicious food and were also presented with a certificate of achievement to recognise their commitment and contribution to SAWN’s services.

"Without the volunteers' commitment we would not have been able to deliver services, such as the Furniture hub, Agatha’s Space, SARATI and other services within SAWN.

All the volunteers really appreciated getting together to enjoy the barbecue, cake and the good weather. Our oldest volunteer, Mama Norma, who helps out in the furniture shop said, '' I don't know what I would do without SAWN... you are my family! If it wasn't for you I would be sitting at home in my front room watching the traffic go by with my cat Whitey all day long. Instead, I get up and I come down to the mill where I feel useful, and I appreciate feeling loved and supported by my SAWN family.''

The application was very simple and straightforward - thank you Action Together for all your support. We know we can ring any one of your staff for advice and guidance and this is very much appreciated."

group of people sat in circle on garden chairs at a barbecue under gazebo

Oasis Hub Oldham

Oasis Hub Oldham sent out official invitations to their volunteers inviting them to a Volunteer Celebration. On the day, they went and purchased an afternoon tea-style lunch with sandwiches, wraps, salad, cakes, and drinks. They decorated the tables at Northern Lily with tablecloths and set up the food table.

Volunteers arrived to a wonderful lunch, and each volunteer was called out to the front to receive their personalised certificate and chocolates, and were applauded and celebrated for their hard work.

The fun also continued as the group then went out and collected fruit from the orchard (apples, pears, blackberries) to make fresh fruit juice in the outdoor juicer. They also visited the therapy pygmy goats, brushed, fed, and had cuddles with them. At the end of the day, everyone was given a bag full of fruit and veg to take home.

"Everyone had a wonderful time! The project was a success, the highlights were giving out the certificates and celebrating every volunteer individually.

"It was an amazing day loved everything about it had such wonderful people there to celebrate wit.h " Vikki Jackson

"It was good because everyone was there that we know. I like the goats and the food and also enjoyed picking the apples." Sofia Wood (young neurodiverse volunteer)

"I enjoyed the day and felt appreciated for my work volunteering." Sarah Miller

Fatima Women’s Association

Fatima Women's Association treated 20 volunteers to a celebration meal, where they conducted a presentation, talked about the remarkable success of FWA for over 32 years, shared past and present stories and presented certificates to the volunteers.

"It was a successful event which was appreciated by everyone present."

group of women smiling holding certificates

Chadderton Together

Chadderton Together created Lydia’s Tearoom, in Foxdenton Park, in 2021. This tearoom is now a busy and thriving not for profit community hub and cafe. They operate the café with willing volunteers who freely give up their time by volunteering. This essential help allows the café to remain open five days each week.

Chadderton Together used their funding to host a celebratory luncheon. This luncheon acknowledged the band of regular Lydia’s Tearoom volunteers as a way of saying “Thank you!” for all their hard work, time and commitment that they freely given to Chadderton Together and the cafe. The luncheon was an amazing success and a wonderful way to meet up and chat on a more social basis.

"Had a wonderful few hours at the Hunt Lane Tavern being treated to lunch and drinks with fellow volunteers. Thank you Action Together for making it possible. So nice for volunteers to be appreciated in this way." Mags Hughes

"Great afternoon lovely company and delicious food. The volunteers are greatly appreciated and had a well deserved treat. Big thank you to all who were involved." Mary Wilk

"Being a volunteer at Lydia's Tearoom is something which I enjoy immensely. I work with lovely people and we all enjoy our time with each other. Our recent lunchtime get-together at the Hunt Lane Tavern was very much appreciated. As well as the lovely food and drink which was provided for us, it gave us the opportunity to socialise as a group. I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to be part of the group. Many thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen." Jean Warner

women at a celebration lunch sat around round table eating food

Volunteer Celebration Fund 2024 Information

We are very happy to share that all the funds for the Volunteer Celebration Fund 2024 have been successfully allocated to organisations in Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside, to support them in celebrating their dedicated volunteers.

If you have any queries, please contact our Funding team on: 0161 339 2345 or email: funding@actiontogether.org.uk

Mental Health Awareness Week | Funding Opportunities

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place between 13-17 May 2024 - an important week to shine a light on mental health and break down stigma.

Action Together secure investment that supports local action, removes barriers and helps to get funding to where it’s needed most.

This week, we would like to highlight the funding opportunities we have available for member organisations who support individuals to help better their wellbeing:

graphic illustration of hands holding flag banners in the air with various logos

Barchester Healthcare Foundation

The Foundation aims to make a difference to the lives of older people and other adults with a physical, learning or mental disability; supporting practical solutions that lead to increased personal independence, self-sufficiency and dignity. The aim of this fund is on connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community. Applications that combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged will receive highest priority.

Grant amount: from £100 to £2,500
Deadline: Applications may be submitted at any time

Bally's Foundation

The main focus of the Foundation is on providing grants and funding to organisations to preserve and protect the wellbeing of individuals suffering from mental health issues.

Grant amount: Funding is at the discretion of the Foundation
Deadline: There are no application deadlines

Douglas Arter Foundation

Grants are available to UK registered charities for projects for the benefit of people of all ages with physical and mental disabilities within the UK.

Grant amount: Funding is provided at the discretion of the Trustees. Previous grants have been for between £500 and £2,000, with the majority being given in the £250 to £500 range

Deadline: Applications may be submitted at any time

Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust - Ann Rylands Small Donations Programme

The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust offers grants to UK based charitable organisations which offer practical and emotional support to improve health and care for; older people, people with disabilities or living with serious illness, people needing palliative and end-of-life care, or people facing challenges with mental health, social exclusion or homelessness

Grant amount: up to £5,000
Deadline: Applications may be submitted at any time

CRH Charitable Trust

The funding is for charitable activities that seek to support children, young people and adults with mental illness and mental disability in north west England.

Grant amount: There is no specific maximum or minimum grant
Deadline: Rolling programme

Synergi Small Grants Fund

The funding aims to support grassroots campaigning at the intersection between abolition, mental health and racial justice.

Grant amount: £5,000 are available
Deadline: 30 May 2024

Funding support for you

If you have any queries about the funding available from Action Together, please emailing our Funding team at funding@actiontogether.org.uk

If your group would like support with a funding application, please email our Development team at development@actiontogether.org.uk

Funding Campaign | Oldham Play Action Group

Carrying on with Action Together’s Funding your ideas Campaign this April, we will continue to share success stories from our member organisations who have received grants, helpful tips to ensure your funding application has every chance of being approved, and highlighting the support services we offer that you should be taking advantage of!

Oldham Play Action Group

Funding: Household Support Fund 4 (£10,000)

Oldham Play Action Group (OPAG) works with Oldham's diverse communities to extend the quality and quantity of play opportunities for children throughout the borough. They are committed to equality of opportunity for children and families, and will actively seek to work in ways which are anti-discriminatory.

OPAG applied for the Household Support Fund 4 as they wanted an investment to provide support with food to households with children in the Oldham area. They were successful in their application and received £8,500 to spend on a supply of supermarket vouchers (and other local retailers which can be used primarily for food.) and also £1,500 to support with additional costs.

"One of the recipients of a shopping voucher through OPAGs Household Support Fund was a Mum with 5 children, ranging from 1 – 13 years. The voucher helped them to do a family shop during a difficult time. The school aged children were eligible for free school meals we encouraged them to come along to OPAGs HAF sessions where we also provided hot meals. They came to sessions at all of the OPAG general venues including Greenacres Community Centre, Poppy Road and Holts Roc ‘N’ Rolls Café. They also participated in the National Playday event in Royton and sessions at Trinity Methodist Church, Royton.
They were pleased that the original contact to get a shopping voucher had led to so many other opportunities and offered activities they could enjoy together as a family.
The Mum, said that both the voucher and the sessions had been so valuable, as she certainly would not be able to afford to do something each day with the children during the school holidays. She said it really helped the family finance to go that bit further. "
Oldham Play Action Group, January 2024

If your group would like support with a funding application, please contact us at funding@actiontogether.org.uk

Mental Health Awareness Week | Girls with Pride and Dignity

This Mental Health Awareness Week, 13-17 May 2024, we would like to share success stories from our member organisations who have received grants from Action Together, which have enabled them to make a positive impact to the mental wellbeing of those in the community.

Girls with Pride and Dignity

Project name: Prioritising women’s self-care and self-love for mental wellbeing

Funding: One Oldham Fund (OOF) Micro Grant Application (micro grants £1,000)

Girls with Pride and Dignity (GPD) is a non-profit organisation that aims at fighting for Gender equality and equal opportunities for women and girls across the globe.

group of smiling women seated along a table in a restaurant

GPD applied for the OOF Micro Grant as they wanted to expand their activities and sessions that have a positive impact on people’s lives. They recognised that people from all walks of life are struggling with mental health issues and need opportunities to overcome them. They had positive feedback from many women who had participated in their activities and became happier and healthier. Their projects encourages the community to stay connected and share their life stories and challenges.

"Our project aims to support women’s mental wellbeing by creating diverse and inclusive opportunities for them to get together and enjoy regular activities. We work with women from different backgrounds, especially African, and help them gain the knowledge and skills to make confident choices and participate in decisions about their own health. We collaborate with other groups from British and Asian backgrounds to introduce new ideas and methods that can improve women’s health and mental wellbeing."

GPD run sessions called “The Self-Love Table”, in which a special guest is invited to share their own struggles and successes with mental health in a safe space. During these sessions, topics are shared that help women improve their lifestyle, and better ways to increase self-love and self-care. The sessions are run once a month and are attended by 50 women.

A most recent guess was a world-famous top model, who shared her experiences of dealing with online bullying, which allowed attendees that realise that mental health affects everyone, regardless of their social status. Following the success of the session and the high demand for more, GPD applied for the OOF Micro Grant as they wanted to increase the frequency of these sessions, so that more people can benefit from it.

GPD expected the following outcomes for the project:

Improved mental health for the women who will participate to it
Increased self-love, self-care and self-confidence for the women who participate in this activity
Reduced isolation and increased social capital for the women who participate in the activity
Enhanced cultural awareness and appreciation for the women who participate in this activity
Increased participation and engagement in community life for the women who participate in this activity

"We aim to support women’s health and wellbeing by creating diverse and inclusive opportunities for them to get together, learn from each other and reduce isolation. The project also aims to help women gain the knowledge and skills to make confident choices and participate in decisions about their own health."

GPD were successful in their application for funding for the Prioritising women’s self-care and self-love for mental wellbeing project, and were awarded £1,000.

Since receiving their funding, GDP have been able to facilitate their Self-Love Table sessions, which have benefitted over 30 women so far!

"The highlights of this project has been that women discovered the best and right ways they can improve their self -love/self - care. It also helps learn from each other how to over come certain challenges caused by mental health.
The feedback from participants has always been amazing. They always leave saying that they would love to invite their friends to come and participate to our Self -Love Table session. It’s really making a big impact to the community’s mental wellbeing.
We would encourage more organisations help their community work on their mental health. There is a lot of negativity going on around the world and across the nation that is affecting people’s mental wellbeing. Bringing people together through different activities or events can help focus on the positive thinking."
Kana Josée Bizimana, Chief Executive at Girls with Pride and Dignity

To find out more about Girls with Pride and Dignity, click here

If you have queries about funding available from Action Together, contact our Funding team at funding@actiontogether.org.uk

If your group would like support with a funding application, please contact our Development team at development@actiontogether.org.uk

Funding Campaign | GMVRU Community-Led Approaches Programme

Throughout April, we will be sharing success stories from our member organisations who have received grants, helpful tips to ensure your funding application has every chance of being approved, and highlighting the support services we offer that you should be taking advantage of!

Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit

As part of our Funding Campaign this April we are pleased to bring you news of a fantastic fund on offer for organisations with strong connections to Darnhill, Rochdale thanks to Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit.

The Community-Led Approaches Programme from the GMVRU, and 10GM is being administered by Bolton CVS and is a community-led approach to violence reduction. This means the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) works closely with communities to understand the strengths, challenges, and needs of the community and determine how local investments will be made.

Several boroughs across the city-region have already received funding from the VRU as part of its investment in community-led programmes, outlined in Greater Manchester’s Serious Violence Action Plan and expressions of interest are now invited from organisations with strong connections with Darnhill to form an alliance to work together to develop the key areas identified.

The key focus of the programme is ensuring that young people and stakeholders come together, focusing on a strength-based approach, to identify what’s going on, what’s not happening and to develop ideas from within the community to inform projects and activities.

The aim for outcomes for young people living in Darnhill, as result of this funding, include:

Improved aspirations
Improved access to activities and opportunities
Improved mental and physical wellbeing
Improved relationships between young people and their parents/carers
Improved sense of pride, respect and belonging in their community

Expressions of interest should bring together a partnership of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations who can achieve these outcomes in Darnhill. The delivery proposals need to prioritise young people aged 8-25 years and the grant offer is up to £100,000.

If you are a community organisation with links to Darnhill and feel you could work together with other groups to put a project in place, please see the information below on how to make an application.

For more information on how to apply, please visit: www.boltoncvs.org.uk/funding/greater-manchester-violence-reduction-unit/

Find out more about the VRU Community-Led Approach to Violence Reduction project: gmvru.co.uk/community-led-approach/

You can learn more about the strategy behind this programme through the Greater Than Violence Strategy: gmvru.co.uk/greater-than-violence-strategy/

The positive impacts of Community Gardening

This week is #CommunityGardenWeek, (1-7 April), where community gardens up and down the country are celebrated. The benefits of gardening to our health, happiness and mental wellbeing are well documented, not to mention the positive impact for the environment.

Our local communities across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside have a wealth of environmentally focused groups and activities from local neighbourhood gardens to community growing projects. The relationship between access to local green spaces and being involved in a positive, community-oriented environment can contribute to a greater sense of wellbeing and fulfilment.

Many of our members regularly volunteer for, or are involved in, gardening projects and groups in our communities, including individuals being referred via our Oldham Social Prescribing offer.

We spoke to Oldham Social Prescribing client Tracey who, after volunteering at Northern Roots and Oasis Hub Oldham, now has paid employment with both organisations. Tracey has been supported by both our Volunteering team and Social Prescribing team, and she told us just what it means to her to be involved.

“I love being outdoors, it really is my happy place. I have always loved gardening and both of the projects I am involved with allow me to fulfil my passion every week. I had volunteered for Oasis Hub for around eight years when, three years ago the opportunity for a role came up and I went for it. I am now the Gardening Lead at Oasis Garden Hub and it is wonderful. I run community allotment sessions every Tuesday from 10am-2pm where everyone is welcome and we're always looking for volunteers.
Following redundancy just before the pandemic I also became involved with Northern Roots, where I am a Community Champion. We work on lots of brilliant projects and the site is amazing. I love my time there, and both of my roles really help me with my confidence and wellbeing.”

Do you love gardening and are feeling inspired? Why not check out some of the wonderful groups and projects on offer in your local community?

Here are just a few examples of our many member organisations across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside. To find a project local to you, take a look at our Community Activities Directory, or get in touch with us directly to see how we can help support you to find an a project or group suited to you: volunteering@actiontogether.org.uk

Oldham Community Gardening Groups

Northern Roots
A stunning community green space in the heart of Oldham. Northern Roots comprises 160 acres of green space and is a destination for learning, leisure and growing to benefit the environment, and improve health, wellbeing and livelihoods. Learn more: twitter.com/NorthernRootsOL/status/1772557728830910966

Oasis Gardening Hub
Part of Oasis Hub Oldham, Oasis Gardening Hub is a gardening group based in Limeside, Oldham. Learn more: twitter.com/Gardeningoasis1

NorthernLily
Failsworth based NorthernLily is a social enterprise connecting people to nature on land and water. They have an acre site including polytunnels, and welcome people to connect with nature, meet new people, and make a difference in the community. Learn more: www.facebook.com/NorthernLily/

Rochdale Community Gardening Groups

The Growth Project Rochdale
The Growth Project, in partnership with Rochdale and District Mind and Hourglass Environment, has been delivering help and support to people with mental health issues since 2009 in the form of food growing, conservation and skill-based learning projects. Their new project for 2024 is to develop and build a new shelter which is replacing the original building built in 2009. Learn more: www.facebook.com/Hourglass.org.uk/

Q Gardens
A community gardening group based in Kirkholt working with people from all walks of life to promote physical and mental wellbeing by offering a welcome space to learn about gardening and meet other people. Learn more: www.facebook.com/groups/1526322248185066/

PIER
Petrus Incredible Edibles Rochdale (PIER) a community allotment on Belfield Road in Rochdale is a beautiful, relaxing, and therapeutic piece of land, growing fruit and vegetables. Their vision is to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of food: www.petrus.org.uk/pier/

Tameside Community Gardening Groups

Leap Community Green Gardening Club
A small and friendly gardening group offering the opportunity to learn hands-on green skills a safe nature-based environment: www.facebook.com/TheLeapCentre

Wildflower Community Garden
The Community Garden, in Dukinfield, aims to bring the community together from young to old, to grow food, herbs and wildflowers with educational programmes for health and wellbeing. Learn more: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064934190735

Incredible Edible Mossley
Incredible Edible is a small community group that started in 2015 in Mossley. They grow fruit, herbs and vegetables in any suitable space, and for the benefit of the community. Learn more: www.facebook.com/incredible.edible.mossley/

More information

Want to learn more about the positive impacts of community gardening? Check out these wonderful articles from RHS and UK Research and Innovation:

www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening/news/articles/growing-a-garden-for-wellbeing

www.ukri.org/what-we-do/iyph2020/how-plants-promote-better-mental-health-and-wellbeing/

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