Rochdale Communities Fund Grants Panel

I have spent the last 21 years working for Rochdale Council’s Adult Care Service, specifically in teams focusing on Prevention and first point of contact. I am currently a Project Manager working in the Transformation Team on the data and intelligence and cooperative communities programmes.

Outside work, I am a Girl Guide and Ranger Leader in Milnrow and Newhey.  I have a passion for prevention and the ethos that it 'takes a village to raise a child' so I’m lucky as my job, and volunteering enables me to contribute to doing something about both!

I love spending time outside and being active – something I find easier living near the Pennines. I'm really keen to make sure my knowledge, experience and passion are reflected in my role on the Grants Panel and help me to represent the people I work with, and for, in a fair and informed way.

Nicky Iginla (she/her) is the founder and CEO of Caring and Sharing Rochdale, a charity dedicated to uplifting and supporting disadvantaged members of the community. 

A passionate advocate for racial equality and community empowerment, Nicky brings extensive experience in supporting marginalised groups, including refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of abuse.

Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to mental health awareness, social integration, and dismantling systemic barriers within her community. Nicky amplifies the voices of ethnically diverse communities, using her expertise to address intersectional challenges and foster an inclusive environment where every voice is valued and heard.

My name is Ehinor Otaigbe-Amedu MBE, Founder/CEO of Wonderfully Made Woman, a charity that provides holistic support for women and girls who have gone through significant adversity, helping them build their confidence and support network so they can thrive.

I am an inspirational speaker, community research advocate, a mentor to many, and Ihave over 15 years experience in leadership.

I have been part of a Funding Panel with Greater Manchester Systems Changers before and the experience was good. Being part of the Community Panel is a way to listen to communities/organisations through their application so we are aware of how to channel, or invest in, projects that the community needs the most. This role will give me a sense of purpose.

I’ve recently began work as the Community Development Worker for the Rochdale Community Centre Consortium, which is in its first year. We are a collection of eight community centres across Rochdale, working together towards a shared vision “to make a lasting difference by supportive collaboration, sharing learning and resources to have a wider reach and impact, and a stronger voice for the communities we serve across Rochdale.”

I wanted to join the Community Grants Panel so that I can learn more about the other wonderful projects being undertaken across Rochdale, and to be part of supporting these projects to grow. I’m passionate about grassroots community work and I think that by knowing what is on offer across the borough, I can help develop the Consortium to fill any gaps that arise or really cement its own offering. I’m really looking forward to learning more about the great community work being done across Rochdale.

Hi, My name is Chris.

I'm currently the manager of Sandon House Community Centre.

My history of fundraising and charity work stems back to 2014 when I helped to form H'all Things Drama Society, an inclusive drama society, celebrating it's 10th anniversary, and with the mission to generate funds for small local causes.

I also am a member of Kats Dance Fundraisers, helping to keep costs for parents of Kats Dance Academy affordable through fundraising activities, providing scholarships to pay for the training of new dance teachers, as well as involvement in other local community projects.

Since March of 2023, I've had the privilege to be the manager of Sandon House Community Centre. The centre was originally founded in 1962 as a catalyst for social inclusion for the elderly, but as the years have past we have grown in our mission to include fighting against food poverty, providing a warm room space throughout the year, hosting a well attended youth club, all while being a centre for the community at the heart of Heywood.

I am the CEO of Rochdale Connections Trust, a small home-grown charity working with children, young people and adults. A lot of our work involves children and adults who have experienced domestic abuse, we also have a wellbeing programme, in-house counselling and other support and training programmes.

I want to be involved in the Community Panel because I think this is a fantastic opportunity through this fund to support local groups and charities. I have previous experience of being part of funding panels through Action Together and GMCVO, and this experience gave me great insight into the work of local organisations which was both informative and inspiring.

Founder Member and Director of Friends of Hopwood Park, Heywood.

I have been involved in the voluntary sector for 15 years.  As a founder member of a successful local charity, I have experienced first-hand how vital and valuable grant funding is for a community organisation.  

As a member of the Panel, I am looking forward to be able to assist in the decision-making process to enable local voluntary groups to receive funding to achieve their goals, in order to make a positive difference in their communities.

As the Founder and Director of Awakening Minds, I am deeply committed to championing equity and inclusion within Rochdale’s diverse communities. My work focuses on breaking down barriers for underrepresented groups, including South Asian families, seniors, single mothers, and those facing displacement.

With years of experience in community engagement and management, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of grassroots initiatives when supported with fair and accessible resources. Serving on this Panel is a chance to channel my passion and empathy into ensuring that impactful projects receive the support they need to create real, lasting change.

I believe in amplifying the voices of those often overlooked, and I’m honoured to contribute my knowledge, lived experience, and heartfelt commitment to strengthening our communities.

My name is Karen Beal and I’m Managing Director of Cartwheel Arts, a participatory arts organisation based in and working across the borough of Rochdale. I am also a trustee of a GM based mental health charity - both roles help me to understand the importance of funding which enables local groups and projects to enhance the lives of local communities.

Originally from Rochdale, I am proud to see the work undertaken by so many small, diverse, grass roots organisations making such a difference in the borough and am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Grants Panel.

My name is Carl Roach, I am one of the founders of local charity Inspire Middleton which was set up in 2008 to inspire Middleton to be a better place to live work and visit. As part of our work we set up the Lighthouse Project in 2010 to provide a safe and welcoming venue where we could offer and provide support services and activities to people who needed help and support. Since then the work has grown and we now operate Middleton Central Foodbank, the Lighthouse Pantry, and the Lighthouse Money Advice service amongst other things.

I wanted to be a member of the Community Grant Panel so that I could give back, share my experience from working in the community, and to help other aspiring groups develop their own opportunities.

Having grown up in China, I came over to the UK for my master's degree in Marketing Management. I have worked in sales, finance, but mostly in leadership with Christian organisations. In the past four years I have been working in deprived estates in Belfield, Firgrove, and the Cray, having a particular focus on children, young people, and their families to enrich their lives, to tackle poverty, and to build up the community.

Having a compassion as a result from my faith and experiences in helping people and communities, I would love to see ALL people flourishing and hope to contribute to that in this voluntary role. I believe EVERYONE should feel safe, hopeful, and accepted and respected in the society, no matter their backgrounds.