Julie Durrant | Community Development Worker (Rochdale and Pennines)
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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.