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Action Together can help your organisation from the first spark of an idea, through to being ready to find and secure funding and then on to getting your amazing project off the ground. We can support you in planning what you want to achieve, deciding what your funding needs are, and ensuring the sustainability of your project.
We're committed to supporting and empowering our communities, securing investment that supports local action, removes barriers and helps to get funding to where it is needed most. We believe that investment is at the heart of building fairer, stronger communities and, by securing funding for community projects, we can create more opportunities for people to thrive and improve social outcomes.
Our Rochdale Communities Fund is a prime example of this, and the diverse, community-focused projects it has funded are really inspirational.
Micro Grants making an impact
Our Micro Grants form a huge proportion of the funding allocated from the Rochdale Communities Fund, and the voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises who have received this are making a significant difference in Rochdale, creating positive social change and supporting local communities. Thanks to funding from Rochdale Borough Council Public Health team, we offer Micro Grants of up to £1,000 to help the VCFSE sector to support individuals, families and communities in the Rochdale Borough.
Throughout 2023, funding from our Micro Grants enabled numerous Action Together members to deliver their diverse range of projects and activities to communities across the Rochdale Borough.
From an 'Eid Science Extravaganza' and a 'Film Festival to a 'Yoga and Wellbeing Programme' and a 'Building the Future School Programme' we have been inspired by the many amazing things the Micro Grants have funded. Take a look at some of the fantastic success stories so far...
Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC
With their Micro Grant funding Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC delivered their 'Building the Future School Programme' which provides a fun, engaging environment to introduce children from local primary schools to the sport of Rugby League. Coaches from Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC and Rochdale Masters are out in the local community providing six-week blocks of Rugby League delivery for classes during, and after, curriculum time. Follow them on social media to find out more about this Programme, and the many other activities they offer: twitter.com/Mayfieldrl If you, or your organisation, would like more information please email: info@rochdalemayfield.com or members@rochdalemayfield.com and one of their team will be in touch.
Strawberry Moon CIC
Strawberry Moon Wellness CIC provide free, or affordable yoga and wellbeing services to improve pre/postnatal wellbeing, and post traumatic growth support for families who have experienced baby loss. Their funding from the Micro Grants enabled them to deliver 'The Peaceful Pregnancy Project', a six-week yoga and wellbeing project, running two yoga classes per week - one pregnancy yoga class and one rainbow pregnancy yoga class (pregnancy after loss). Find out more about their project: www.strawberrymoon.org.uk/community-projects-collaborations
Rochdale Science Initiative
Back in March, Rochdale Science Initiative CIC held an Eid Science Extravaganza 2023 thanks, in part, to their Micro Grant. With a focus on climate change, keynote speakers from Manchester Metropolitan University and community leaders the event was a huge success. Making science more accessible to diverse communities and attended by more than 1,400 the event featured science stalls and activities, including a planetarium - all with the aim of bringing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to ethnic minorities. Check out their review of the event: www.rochdalescience.co.uk/news/rochdale-science-extravaganza-2023/
Kashmiri Productions
Kashmiri Productions delivers community projects which promote culture, language, history, heritage and provides training to groups or individuals. They were funded through the Micro Grants Fund to organise a not-for-profit film festival in July at Reel Cinema Rochdale. The AJK Film Festival provides a platform for filmmakers and communities to come together and aims to promote Kashmiri culture, language and identity through moving image with films held in Urdu, Punjabi, Pahari, Pothohari and English languages. The event was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Rochdale, local councillors and residents, with people also travelling from Bradford, Preston, Blackburn, Bolton, Huddersfield, Ashton, Manchester and Oldham.
Hamer Boxing Club
The funding awarded to Hamer Boxing Club enabled them to deliver free Cost of Living Boxing Session to its members. As part of these sessions, the Club also offered the opportunity for private, one-to-one chats with their coaches and staff about Cost of Living and any challenges their members were facing. They felt they were in the ideal position to offer support as some people felt more comfortable talking to them about their issues, rather than speaking with professionals or the Council.
Stars and Stitches
Stars and Stiches CIC provides community art workshops and professional art therapy for those with disabilities and other stigmatised experiences. They aim to provide a safe space and support people to live their life to its’ full potential by overcoming their difficulties through community arts and art therapy. They utilised their Micro Grant to run a six-week project creativing collaborative art with their participants with the theme of 'Journeys'.
New Seed Fund launches in Rochdale
From evidence published in the State of the Sector Report, we know that 77% of VCFSE organisations in Rochdale borough are micro-organisations, receiving an annual income of less than £10,000. With this in mind, we are launching our new Seed Fund, with easy access grants of up to £500. As part of the Rochdale Communities Fund, our 'Seed Fund' is aimed at Rochdale based micro-organisations and community groups who are unconstituted.
Find out more: www.actiontogether.org.uk/new-seed-fund-launches-rochdale
Could we help you?
Could we help your organisation with your next project or idea? We can help you:
- get all the things you need in place before you apply for funding
- write successful funding bids
- win tenders
- diversify your income streams
- become more financially sustainable
Contact our team on: 0161 339 2345 or email us at: development@actiontogether.org.uk