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At Action Together we are committed to supporting and empowering our communities. We secure investment that supports local action, removing barriers and helping to get funding to where it is needed most. We believe that investment is at the heart of building fairer, stronger communities. By securing funding for community projects, we can create more opportunities for people to thrive and improve social outcomes.
Collectively we have the power to make things better, addressing the impacts and root causes of poverty and inequalities. Our vision of enabling fair and much needed investment is evident across all our localities in Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside, with hundreds of voluntary and community groups and organisations benefitting each year.
A successful first quarter of investment for 2023
Some of our most thriving funding opportunities are our community-focused funds and we are delighted to report just how successful our Rochdale Communities Fund has been so far this year.
During the first quarter of 2023 our Rochdale Communities Fund Micro Grants have provided funding for 19 unique community projects that are really making a difference to the people of Rochdale Borough. This allocated investment totalled more than £19,000 and has enabled our member organisations to deliver a fantastically diverse range of projects and activities.
From wellbeing and mental health sessions to academic support and food parcels we have been inspired by the many amazing things the micro grants have funded. Here are just a few examples;
Become United
Become United is a charity, led by Black Minority Ethnic (BME) people. They used their grant to deliver a series of 'BAME Women's Wellbeing Sessions' focused on different arts and crafts activities and incorporating various wellbeing practices.
Kirkholt Community Church
Kirkholt Community Church opened their building as a Warm Welcome Space to reduce the effects of social isolation, build friendships and boost mental health and wellbeing. They offer free breakfasts each Tuesday morning and have also have just started up a Men’s Space which runs at the same time as their ‘Welcome Space’ each Tuesday morning from 9am-11:30am with darts, table tennis, cards, dominoes and other games.
Lamet Habayeb Association
Lamet Habayeb Association delivered informal mental health and wellbeing sessions to women from their community to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and the need to seek professional advice. The sessions were needed because of the stigma associated around the issue of mental health in Arabic culture, where women find it difficult to discuss, even with close relatives.
Rochdale Dawah Centre
Rochdale Dawah Centre set up a Homework Club, in partnership with local schools and community groups in Rochdale, for BAME Teens, which aims to provide additional academic support to students from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds who are preparing for their exams.
Smallbridge Pantry
Smallbridge Pantry is a food members club, established in 2007 to tackle food poverty, where local people can buy food items at subsidised cost. Their grant has enabled them to purchase and maintain the levels of produce available to their community.
Action Together Grants and Membership Administrator Hayley Tomlinson said:
"I'm so thrilled that this round of funding from 2023 Quarter 1 has benefitted so many wonderful causes. It's great to know that the work we do to secure this investment is directly improving quality of the life for members of our Rochdale community."
More about our Rochdale Communities Fund
Thanks to funding from Rochdale Borough Council Public Health team, Action Together offers micro grants of up to £1,000 to help the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to support individuals, families and communities in the Rochdale Borough.
As there are limited funds, applications from micro and small groups for these micro grants are prioritised.
To be able to apply, the project must fall within one or more of the following priorities:
Challenging poverty and driving equality
- Support people and communities to get back on their feet and take more control over their lives i.e. practical support, advice or peer support
- Reduce inequalities and help more people reach their potential
- Strengthen community voice and action on the things that matter most to them
Promoting health and wellbeing
- Enabling people and communities to support their social, mental and physical wellbeing
- Challenging health inequalities through working with marginalised groups whose needs are not being met by existing services
- Build strong relationships in and across communities
Applications for Rochdale Communities Fund Micro Grants
After a temporary period of paused applications, we are delighted to announce that this Fund will re-open on Monday 3 July 2023.
Who can apply
Applications are welcomed from voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) groups locally rooted or actively working in the borough of Rochdale; and have a turnover of less than £100,000 are a member of Action Together CIO (membership of Action Together is free, register here: www.actiontogether.org.uk/become-member) and are formally constituted. If groups are still working towards their constitution, Action Together can offer a micro grant of up to £500.
Make your application for 2023 Quarter 2
Grants of up to £1,000 are available.
For more details, guidance notes and an application form, please visit our website: www.actiontogether.org.uk/rochdale-communities-fund-%E2%80%93-micro-grants-%C2%A31000
Should you need more information, please call: Hayley Tomlinson on 0161 339 2345 or email: hayley.tomlinson@actiontogether.org.uk