Tameside

Tameside

National Inclusion Week 2024

Founded by Inclusive Employers, National Inclusion Week (NIW) is a week dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces. This year it takes place from 23rd – 29th September.

The theme for National Inclusion Week 2024 is ‘Impact Matters’: a call-to-action to everyone in your organisation, from leaders, to inclusion professionals through to teams and individuals.

Here are some of the ways we are creating an inclusive workplace at Action Together, and some suggestions for where to start at your organisation.

Inclusivity at Action Together

At Action Together, we recognise that our strength comes from our diversity, so we are constantly working to be as inclusive as possible. Here are just some of the things we have done over the past couple of years:

  1. EmbRACE Diversity Group – our EmbRACE Diversity Group was created as the ‘Anti-racism Working Group’ to understand how racism might manifest at Action Together and to support our work towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. That is still its core purpose today, but we now also work towards improvements in all areas of equity and inclusion. Members meet every two months to assess progress and plan actions.
  2. Celebrating religious diversity through events – faith is an important part of many of our employees’ and members’ lives, and also a great way for people to connect through shared customs and traditions. We organise events throughout the calendar year to celebrate religious observances, creating opportunities for our teams to get together and connect with one another. So far this year we have held a staff iftar during Ramadan, and we are planning events for both Diwali and Christmas.
  3. Hybrid and flexible working – the traditional office environment and 9-5 shift pattern can make some people feel excluded from the workplace, and we know that if we worked this way we would miss out on the valuable talent and creativity of some of our employees. We offer our staff members flexibility with their working hours and the opportunity to choose their work location where possible.
  4. Training – we all want to ‘get it right’ when it comes to inclusive practices, and we know that appropriate training supports our employees and our members with this. We have worked with some fantastic member organisations to provide anti-racism and neurodiversity training for our staff, with more inclusion-focused training to come.
  5. Recruitment and induction – we have improved our recruitment processes, following best practice guidance from lived experience experts, and we’re currently doing the same with our induction processes. All candidates who interview with us now have the opportunity to give feedback on their experience to ensure that we are able to keep improving.
  6. Flexible bank holidays – most bank holiday dates in the UK are based on Christian holidays, so will not hold special significance for many people. Our staff members have their bank holiday allowance added to their annual leave pot, so they can choose to take those days when works best for them.
  7. Pronouns in email signatures – we recognise that gender is complex, and you cannot tell a person’s gender or preferred pronouns by just their name or the way they look. By including our pronouns in our email signatures, we are normalising sharing pronouns with the intention of creating a more inclusive environment for trans, non-binary and other gender non-conforming people.
  8. Clear reporting procedures – we have developed guidance for our staff on how to report any discrimination they may experience or witness while at work, or any changes they feel we could make to our ways of working to be more inclusive. Alongside these reporting procedures, we have also written ‘how to’ guides to support staff with managing difficult situations such as challenging discrimination, responding appropriately when challenged, and supporting an individual when they make a disclosure.
Group illustration

What can your organisation do?

If you want to be a more inclusive organisation but are struggling to know where to begin, these can be some useful starting points:

  1. Speak to your staff and volunteers – individuals in your organisation, especially those from underrepresented groups, may be able to give important insight into what you’re already doing well and where you may have room for improvement. Explain why you’re asking questions about inclusion, listen, and avoid becoming defensive if some of the feedback is challenging – remember that your staff team want your organisation to be an excellent place to work as much as you do!
  2. Collect and analyse data – knowing who is currently missing or underrepresented at your organisation, especially at a senior level, can help you to identify groups whose expertise and lived experience you may be missing out on. Remember that some people may not feel comfortable sharing personal information with their employer, so be clear about what you plan to do with the data and give people the option to opt out if they wish.
  3. Learn from experts – there are many excellent training providers with lived experience backgrounds in our local areas. They can help you to understand how to ensure that you are building a supportive and inclusive workplace. We also regularly run training sessions on a variety of topics – see our training calendar for more information.
  4. Speak to your development worker – our fantastic Community Development Workers can help point you in the right direction for advice and training.
  5. Take a look at online guides and resourcesCIPD and ACAS are great places to start, but there are many organisations and individuals who share best practice based on personal experience.
Group illustration

Tips to feel confident talking about inclusion

Language changes all the time, and we know that this can feel intimidating, but here are some tips for being confident in conversations about inclusion.

  1. Use online resources to understand why some words are not used today. You can search online for ‘word + offensive’ if you’re thinking of using a particular term and you’re worried it might be outdated or harmful – there will usually be articles or web pages explaining why a particular term is no longer used and what the preferred term is.
  2. Mirror the language used by individuals to describe themselves. When speaking formally about their identity, people will often use the terms they prefer. However, remember that in informal settings people may use words which have been ‘reclaimed’ and should only be used within the community, so check as above if you’re unsure.
  3. Be honest and ask questions. If you tell somebody that you want to be respectful and use the language they’re comfortable with, most people will be happy to tell you how they would like to be described. Trust that individuals know themselves best, and if they tell you they don’t like a particular word, even if it’s used by other people in the same community, don’t use it for this person.

Key terms

Equity (and equality) – equity is giving people different resources according to their need. For example, not everybody in a hospital should be given the same treatment – they should be given the treatment that is most appropriate for them. Equality is everybody having the same outcome, so in our hospital example we would want everybody to be equally healthy after their treatment.

Diversity – diversity is a way of describing the differences in a group of people. A group with individuals from different genders, races, religions and lived experience is a diverse group. An individual cannot be ‘diverse’, because they only have one set of experiences etc. – their own.

Inclusion – inclusion is the active process of making everybody feel like they are valued and they belong.

Anti-racism – anti-racism is the active process of working to dismantle and fight against racism and racist structures.

Neurodiversity – neurodiversity is a way of describing the different ways our brains work. Within a given group, some people may be neurotypical (the world has been built to fit the way their brains work) and some people may be neurodivergent (their brains work in different ways from how society ‘expects’ them to). This may include autistic people or people with ADHD, but there are many other types of neurodivergence. An individual cannot be ‘neurodiverse’, as they only have one brain.

Gender – gender is different from sex – it doesn’t have anything to do with our bodies and instead describes the social, cultural and behavioural ideas of being a man, woman, or other gender identity.

Trans (transgender) – transgender refers to anybody whose sex doesn’t align with their gender. The opposite of transgender is cisgender, and this refers to people whose sex and gender do align (for example if you are a man who was born male, or a woman who was born female).

Non-binary – a non-binary person is somebody whose gender identity doesn’t align completely with either ‘man’ or ‘woman’. This can mean different things for different people: for some people it means their identity changes over time, for some it means they identify with multiple genders, and some people prefer not to use gender labels at all.

Gender non-conforming – somebody might describe themselves as gender non-conforming if they don’t align with the expectations of being a cisgender man or woman.

Volunteer Voices 2024, Meet Action Together

And last but not least, another story of Employer Supported Volunteering, or Corporate Volunteering, where the employees of an organisation take time to volunteer during work hours, or organise volunteer activities.

Meet our Action Together Volunteering team from Oldham who, earlier this year, took Good to Grow Week as an opportunity to volunteer their time to help support the Alexandra Park Hub. The Hub is a food-growing hub, community allotment, and is part of the Get Oldham Growing programme. It’s a resource for green fingered enthusiasts who want to learn more about growing healthy food.

Our Oldham Volunteering team met with Hannah Williams who gave them a tour around the Hub and shared with them how the Hub operates, and the many benefits it provides to the community, such as; providing volunteer opportunities, donating vegetables to local food banks, encouraging involvement from the community, and educating young students.

group of people knelt working in community garden wearing bright pink hoodies

Following the tour, the team got stuck in and spent the morning removing weeds from the onion beds, in order for them to grow and be harvested in a few weeks.

Josie, Volunteering Development Coordinator at Action Together, said;

"Our team had a great time learning more about the Hub's projects and having the opportunity to do some volunteering ourselves! It was so rewarding to meet some of the volunteers who had been supported by our team, and to see first-hand how much they enjoy their volunteering roles."

four people wearing bright pink hoodies digging in a community garden

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

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.

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

Subscribe to Tameside
Back to top