Ruth | Community Development Worker (West Oldham)
Email meWhat is my role:
Community Development Worker covering Chadderton and Werneth
My name is Ruth Madden and I work in the west area of Oldham. Chadderton and Werneth is an area in Oldham that has some fantastic community groups and voluntary organisations that work and support people in the local area as well as across Oldham. It is my role to support these groups and help them to get funding in, help them to plan their services, link them up with other groups and organisations and to help get there voices heard at a strategic level, including the council.
What most excites me about this role:
I am passionate about the community and the difference that groups can and do make to people’s lives. Whether that’s a parent and tots group, football club, uniformed group right up to supporting people with health issues or people of faith or groups that have a specific interest. I know that with the right support these groups can make a huge change to individuals lives and help them make their community a better place to live.
What drew me to work at Action Together:
I began working for Action Together in 2005. I took a short break of 2 years and returned 7 years ago. I continue to work for Action Together because they have the community at the heart of what they do. Everything is geared towards making Oldham, Tameside and Rochdale a better place to live and work. Action Together is passionate about the voluntary sector and about making sure they get their voices heard at a higher level and the recognition they deserve for all the services they provide in all of those areas.
My hopes for Oldham are:
My hope is that all the groups I currently work with have the necessary skills to look out for themselves. That they know where to go for support, know where to look for funding and how to complete the best application forms. I hope that all the groups continue to work together to improve the areas where they live and work. We need community and voluntary groups because the people of Oldham, Tameside and Rochdale need them to thrive and survive.