About the team
Our Volunteering Team can help you find an opportunity that fits in alongside your other commitments and is appropriately matched with your relevant skills and experiences, as well as your reasons for volunteering.
Click here to view some of our frequently asked questions.
Click here to register your interest in volunteering.
We are happy to answer any queries you have about joining our team at Action Together. For more information, call us on 0161 339 2345 or email our team at volunteering@actiontogether.org.uk
Meet the team
Asma and Phil make up our Volunteering Team in Rochdale, click their photos to find out more about them!
Asma Begum: Volunteer Support Officer
What is my role?
My name is Asma, and I am one of the Volunteer Support Officers in the Rochdale Team. My role involves assisting individuals who are seeking volunteering opportunities by connecting them with local groups and businesses that offer such positions. I help these individuals find suitable roles by considering their interests, skills, knowledge, experience, and hobbies. Additionally, I support them in using our system so they can independently apply for volunteering opportunities and determine what roles would be most beneficial and appealing to them. Another key part of my role is supporting local organisations, communities, charities, social enterprises, and businesses. I work closely with job centres to support people within these organisations in finding suitable volunteer roles. This includes coordinating with workplaces to allow employees to volunteer, whether on a monthly or annual basis, depending on their policies.
What most excites me about this role?
What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in people's lives. I love helping individuals on a journey that boosts their confidence, self-esteem, and helps them come out of isolation. Volunteering offers numerous health and personal benefits, something I have experienced firsthand. Having suffered from severe mental health issues in the past, I found that volunteering played a crucial role in my recovery. It provided me with skills, experience, and a transitional space between isolation and employment. This flexibility allowed me to gain knowledge and confidence, establish a routine, and believe in myself. Seeing others blossom and become confident and empowered is incredibly fulfilling. Working with people and empowering them to use their voices and skills is something I deeply enjoy. Volunteering reconnects individuals with their community, enhancing their well-being in many ways. Now, as part of Action Together, I find immense satisfaction in watching others thrive, knowing that I played a part in their journey.
What drew me to work at Action Together?
What drew me to Action Together is my positive experience with the organisation from multiple angles. I founded my own Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2021, which started as a community group in 2020. Throughout this journey, Action Together provided me with invaluable support. As a member, I received assistance with governance, policies, advocacy, funding, and organisational growth. Their continuous updates, free training sessions, and unwavering support were instrumental in pushing my charity forward. I later applied to be a trustee of Action Together, to my delight, I was accepted and had the chance to meet other trustees and observe how deeply the organisation cares about its members, communities, staff, and volunteers. Action Together truly lives by its values: 'Believe it's possible', 'Strengthen others', and 'Be true'. They have consistently demonstrated these principles in their work with me, my organisation, and other groups. After years of volunteering, I felt ready to apply for the role of Volunteer Support Officer. I was particularly attracted to Action Together’s values, their ethical approach, and their genuine care for employees. As a single mom, I appreciate their flexibility and understanding of staff's diverse life responsibilities. When I found out I got the job, I was thrilled and overjoyed. I am excited to give my all in this role and continue making a positive impact through Action Together.
My hopes for Rochdale are...
My hope for Rochdale is that it becomes a safe place for women, girls, and families. I want Rochdale to openly address difficult and stigmatized topics, creating a community that is unafraid to discuss important issues. I also hope that local authorities can develop strong relationships with the voluntary and community (VC) and faith and social care (FSC) sectors. Rather than working separately, these entities should collaborate and help everyone accept each other's experiences. Additionally, I hope we can help people build their confidence, resilience, and self-esteem so they can make independent choices and have a brighter future. I envision a community where people feel more connected through volunteering, leading some to pursue further education or employment, or simply gain valuable life lessons. Ultimately, I hope we can build a foundation for the next generation to thrive.
Philip Greenwood: Volunteer Support Officer
What is my role?
I’m Philip. I’m one of the Volunteer Support Officers in the Rochdale team. My role involves connecting individuals and local groups together. I help people find volunteer roles that match their interests, skills, knowledge, experience, and/or hobbies. I work closely with local groups in Rochdale such as charities and community groups, helping them to advertise, promote and share the benefits of volunteering.
What most excites me about this role?
I have seen first hand the difference volunteering can have on a person’s health and wellbeing. To get back into a routine, to socialise, to grow in confidence – these are just some of the benefits to volunteering, and for me to play a small part in helping people to grow as a person is so rewarding. When a volunteer enjoys their time, the benefits to them, and the organisation, are fantastic to observe.
What drew me to work at Action Together?
Back in 2010 I became ill with a life-limiting illness and had to give up my job as a Transport Manager. During this time, finding motivation and the will to keep going was very difficult. I then went to a medical appointment, and it was mentioned that there was an organisation called CVS that placed volunteers and that it maybe beneficial for me to have a look. Before long, I was volunteering with CVS for two hours per week, and being able to concentrate my time on something besides my illness was great. As time grew, I began volunteering half-a-day, then one day, then two days per week, and before long I was working 16 hours per week (which was the maximum hours I could do). Then, four years ago, Action Together were awarded the contract in Rochdale and replaced CVS. The one thing that has always stuck with me is, that no matter what, my situation is I am supported. We have a great team of people that genuinely care about each other and it’s a pleasure coming into work. Action Together is now expanding its work in the local community and we look forward to assisting more people and organisations in the Rochdale Borough whilst keeping to our core values - 'Believe it’s possible', 'Strengthen others' and 'Be true'
My hopes for Rochdale are...
To convey our message to as many people as possible to enable them to empower themselves.
Volunteer Hubs
Our Rochdale Community Team can help connect you with what’s happening in your area - Rochdale North, Rochdale South, Heywood, Middleton or Pennines.
We have developed a Volunteer Hub model, which aligns our accredited Volunteer Centre brokerage service to 'place'. The model brings the Volunteer Centre offer closer to the heart of communities, across the five districts and includes:
Brokerage: Online and in-person volunteer brokerage to 100's of volunteering opportunities delivered from Community Volunteer Hubs supported by our volunteering team and Volunteer Ambassadors.
Training: Training for volunteers to get ready for volunteering, and training for groups and organisations to get them ready for volunteers!
eBulletin: Sign up to our monthly Volunteering eBulletin HERE.
To visit our volunteering team at your local Volunteer Hub please see details below...
Drop-In Volunteer Hubs
Our Rochdale Volunteer Team host regular drop-in Volunteer Hubs at various community spaces.
You can meet the team at:
- Number One Riverside - every first and third Friday of the month from 10am to 12pm
- Red Cross-The Parish Church of Saint Mary in The Baum - every first Monday from 10am to 12pm
- Heywood Library - every third Thursday of each month from 10am to 2pm
Why not pop along to chat about the current volunteering opportunities, and how we can support you to get started.
Or, maybe your organisation would like to meet potential volunteers at one of our sessions? We’d be happy to welcome you, please just make sure to book with us in advance to make an appointment.
Booking Only Volunteer Hubs
The sessions below are 'booking only':
Rochdale and Middleton Job Centres
We also provide one-to-one support through our regular Job Centre sessions in both Middleton and Rochdale. Please speak to your Work Coach if you would like to book a session with us to explore volunteering opportunities.
One-to-One Support
Please contact our Rochdale team to explore volunteering opportunities within your community. The team can arrange in-person, online, or phone appointments, depending on your needs and preferences.
Email: volunteering@actiontogether.org.uk or
asma.begum@actiontogether.org.uk or
philip.greenwood@actiontogether.org.uk
Call: 0161 339 2345
Community Outreach
As well as one-to-one support, the Volunteer team are also happy to visit local groups, services and events to help share the benefits of volunteering and the variety of opportunities across Rochdale.
This could be a local group you work with who are interested in hearing about how the Action Together Volunteer team support both individuals and businesses, or a school or college group who might benefit from hearing more about the different pathways that volunteering can lead to.
Get in touch to see how we can support you.
Email: asma.begum@actiontogether.org.uk or volunteering@actiontogether.org.uk
Call: 0161 339 2345
