Our Community Team in Rochdale were thrilled to be handing over another Quality in Action Award earlier this week, this time to the amazing team at Spotland Community Association (SCA).
Action Together Community Development Worker Julie, has guided the SCA team through the process to achieving recognition, and this accreditation is proof that their hard work and commitment to safeguarding, quality, and improvement have truly paid off.
Established back in 1996, Spotland Community Association is a registered charity, helping and supporting the disadvantaged and deprived communities around Spotland and Lower Falinge. They offer a wide range of diverse, community projects including support, advice and guidance around welfare rights/benefits, education, training and social inclusion activities to improve the overall quality of life.
Find out more about SCA and their fantastic community projects: www.spotlandcommunitycentre.co.uk
We spoke with Asghar, and Molly Deakin, Community Development Worker for Rochdale Community Centre Consortium about the work they do and how the support of Action Together has helped them in their journey to accreditation...
"I have been the manager here at Spotland Community Association for 10 years and have seen a lot of changes in this time. We have seen the community change from traditionally a Pakistani community to now being a community which represents all different backgrounds, faiths and cultures (Somalian, Arabic, eastern European to name a few).
Here at SCA we have had to adapt to this change so that we can cater for all our service users. We thrive in providing a warm, friendly, safe learning environment for all. We focus heavily on social inclusion so that service users do not face isolation which can lead to other problems. We encourage learner participation and provide a bi-lingual service where possible. Everyone is welcome here at SCA!
We are extremely proud to have achieved this Quality in Action Award, and are hugely grateful to Action Together in their support throughout this journey, namely Julie Durrant. Action Together, as always, have been fantastic!
We also want to thank all our staff, volunteers and partner organisations such as New Pioneers Team, and Deeplish Community Centre for their assistance."
Asghar Ali | Manager of Spotland Community Association
Spotland Community Association is part of the Rochdale Community Centre Consortium (RCCC). Still only in their first year together, RCCC formed from a collection of eight vibrant and dedicated community hub: Burnside Centre, Rochdale Womens Welfare, Demesne Community Association, Kashmir Youth Project, Deeplish Community centre, Syke Community Base, Bangladesh Association and Spotland Community Association.
They are working towards one vision... "to make a lasting difference by supportive collaboration; we're sharing learning and resources to have a wider reach and impact, and give a stronger voice to the communities we serve across Rochdale."
Quality in Action Award
Our Quality in Action Award is a recognised framework for voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations working across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside to prove their impact.
The award recognises outstanding commitment to safeguarding, quality assurance and continuous improvement and is an independent, local seal of approval which publicly demonstrates to local commissioners, funders, beneficiaries and other stakeholders that your organisation delivers quality activities and services.
How can my organisation apply for the Quality in Action Award?
You'll work alongside one of our dedicated Community Development Officers to meet criteria that ensures your organisation has the right things in place, with practical advice, resources and support to help you develop the policies and procedures that are right for you.
The QiAA is free and open to groups of any size. By achieving the award you'll be able to demonstrate to local commissioners, funders, beneficiaries and other stakeholders that you are delivering quality activities and services.
If you would like more information on our Quality in Action Award, and how you could work towards achieving it, please get in touch with us on: 0161 339 2345 or email: development@actiontogether.org.uk