Thanks to funding from Rochdale Borough Council’s Public Health team, Action Together offered small grants of up to £1,000 for VCFSE organisations to provide Wider Essentials to individuals, and communities, within the Rochdale Borough.
The fund priorities were co-produced with The Anti-Poverty Foundation Group, facilitated by Action Together.
Projects were required to fall within one or more of the following priorities:
- Digital Access and Inclusion: Provide laptops, iPads, software, broadband support, and assistance with phone bills.
- Wellbeing: Offer free mental health and emotional support services and other holistic support services
- Travel: Cover public transport costs, vehicle repairs, bicycle purchases and fuel expenses.
- Identification Support: Fund and assist with obtaining passports, driving licenses, and other forms of identification to facilitate access to essential services.
- White Goods: Provide large pieces of household equipment (such as refrigerators and washing machines)
- Other essentials: Provide clothing, toiletries, hygiene products, cleaning products etc
Projects funded via the Wider Essentials Fund:
| Member Organisation | Amount Awarded | Investment Projects |
| £960 | This project will support BAME older people aged over 50 with:
| |
Kirkholt Pantry | £990 | Over the last twelve months we have had a large request for cleaning products. Our members have told us they struggle to buy cleaning items as they cost so much, and buying these impacts on their weekly food budget. For the last two months we have consulted our members to ask what cleaning products they would like help with, and what products would be the most beneficial. The consultation has been contucted via word of mouth and feedback forms. Following this consultation we have agreed this funding would be used to put together 90 Pantry Cleaning Packs. The packs will contain: washing up liquid, bleach, clothes fabric softener, washing pads and clothes washing liquid. The items will be sourced from local retailers. The cost to make these packs is £10.90. |
| £1,000 | We propose a community project aimed at empowering residents by offering life coaching sessions, covering travel expenses, and financing essential identification documents such as passports and driving licenses. This initiative, already successfully implemented by Maverick Lab, will be expanded to reach more individuals, ensuring broader access to critical services that enhance personal and professional development. | |
| £1,000 | The Rochdale Essentials Support Program is designed to provide essential items such as clothing, toiletries, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies to individuals and families in need within the Rochdale Borough. By addressing these fundamental needs, the project seeks to alleviate the burden of poverty and enhance the quality of life for vulnerable community members. The program is committed to offering crucial support to those facing financial hardship, including low-income families, the elderly, single parents, refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals experiencing homelessness. | |
| £1,000 | RADAR provides short term housing for three destitute asylum seekers in a property close to the centre of Rochdale - The Presbytery. They have 'no recourse to public funds' and the only income they have is a weekly grant of £25 each from RADAR . They are in the process of making fresh claims to the Home Office for leave to remain in the UK. This involves regular contact with the solicitors acting for them and preparing the relevant documents. Currently the property does not have any internet connection which makes communication and transfer of documents difficult. They have to use remote access via their mobile phones which is expensive. We are seeking funding to install broadband in the property, and fund its ongoing operation. Internet access will also enhance their wellbeing and enable them to do online courses, and search for volunteering opportunities. We would also like to help them with cost of their mobile phone credit. | |
| £990 | Our local pantry, Smallbridge, is a food members club run by volunteers and set up by local people in 2019 to tackle food poverty in our community. We are situated on the outskirts of the borough on a large social housing estate consisting of family housing, flats and bungalows for older residents. Many of our members are living on benefits and are struggling with the increase in the cost of living that is hitting everyone but affects those on lower incomes even more. This project ensures people are being fed. The pantry goes beyond tackling food poverty. Over the last twelve months our members have asked for help and support with cleaning items as these items are very costly and take a huge amount from their weekly spending budget. For the last twomonths we have consulted with our members to ask what cleaning products they would like help with, and what products would be the most beneficial. The consultation has been contucted via word of mouth and feedback forms. Following this consultation we have agreed this funding would be used to put together 90 Pantry Cleaning Packs. The packs will contain: washing up liquid, bleach, clothes fabric softener, washing pads ,and clothes washing liquid. The items will be sourced from local retailers. The cost to make these packs is £10.90. | |
St Vincent's SVP Conference | £830.99 | Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras consequat, urna ac viverra posuere, nisi mi vehicula tortor, et efficitur massa est vitae leo. Sed vulputate sem a metus sodales, nec posuere magna tempus. |
| £930 | We will offer various wellbeing activities:
| |
| £1,000 | Our project recycles school uniform, sport clothing, shoes, bags and accessories across Rochdale, Littleborough, Heywood and Middleton. Collecting in donations via our 16 libraries and distributing over 10,000 items of school uniform per year. We are in our fourth year and have charity status and a website. We have seen the rise in demand to help families across our Borough in this economic climate. We have many families needing school shoes and sports trainers, currently 18 waiting for their shoe size to come in. This funding would really help us to be able to get them what they need now, as a good pair of shoes are crucial for each day and keeping feet healthy is important too in young people as they grow. | |
| £1,000 | With this grant, we want to improve our coffee morning sessions at the Lighthouse in Middleton. We aim to create a wellbeing program for BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) women. We will focus on mental and emotional health, building a supportive community, and providing essential wellbeing services. | |
| £1,000 | The Caring and Sharing Transport Support Project aims to provide essential transport assistance to individuals and families struggling to attend our weekly mental and social support sessions. We are requesting £1,000 in funding to help cover the increasing costs faced by our organisation and attendees. The funds will be allocated to cover the fuel costs for our minibus, ensuring we can continue offering this vital service. Additionally, the funds will be used to reimburse bus tickets, tram tickets, and occasional taxi fares for participants who have difficulty accessing our services. |