Tameside Community Team

What is my role? 

I look after Miles of Smiles. My role involves working with volunteer drivers to arrange transport for people attending health and wellbeing appointments. 

What most excites me about this role? 

It’s a privilege to work with an amazing team of volunteer drivers and help people get to their appointments. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

I came to Action Together through volunteering and found a way to stay. My hopes for Tameside are... That we can continue to help people in a positive and practical way.

What is my role? 

I am the Community Development Officer for Tameside. I support existing community groups, charities and not for profit organisations. I also support people to set up new activities and projects in the areas that they live and get more involved in their local communities. I can help with setting up a new group, funding searches and how to apply for funding, making sure you have the right policies and procedures – anything that helps your project or group to be successful! 

What most excites me about this role? 

The thing that excites me about my role is that I meet amazing people, doing amazing things in their local communities and I get to support them and be part of that journey! 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

I have worked at Action Together since 2005 in various roles. I saw an advert for a job asking for someone who was passionate about their local community and applied. The rest is history. 

My hopes for Tameside are... 

For a strong and sustainable community and voluntary sector and that Tameside is a place where people can feel happy, healthy and valued.

What is my role? 

The role of Community Development Officer consists of supporting the voluntary sector in many different ways to enhance and continue safe delivery of activity throughout Tameside supporting different people in many ways. Our main aim is to make groups and organisations sustainable through structured support and look at ways of finding solutions from any issues that may arise and bring groups/organisations together to support each other. 

What most excites me about this role? 

The part which most excites me is when a group, or organisation, receive funding through my support and deliver projects that support the community. I find it really empowering when a group grows from strength to strength through development of their own leaders who show real passion to give back to the community. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

I enjoy working with lots of different people who want to grow ideas from grassroots, and support them to achieve their relevant aims and objectives. I’m passionate about Tameside and want to assist in making the borough deliver a quality voluntary support mechanism, connecting different groups and organisations together to enhance delivery and learn from each other. 

My hopes for Tameside are...

 To continue to provide accessible activities that make the borough a safer and enjoyable place to be for all its residents. I want to create support mechanisms between groups to empower each other to deliver quality services, whilst supporting each other in the process. I want the groups to feel like they can approach me with any issue or problem and I can hopefully find a solution.

What is my role? 

I do a bit of everything! I produce our 'Tameside Community News' which is our fortnightly eBulletin to Tameside groups, informing and highlighting news from the sector. I support the Action Together Comms Team and I work with our Funding Team to promote funds such as Use Your Energy, which aims to get young people more active, more often and finally, I also work with our Community Wellbeing Team supporting their place-based work in local communities across Tameside. 

What most excites me about this role? 

I am so fortunate to get to see and report on the inspirational work that Tameside groups and volunteers do, day in, day out. A fundamental part of community development is about building and strengthening relationships. What excites me most is working collaboratively with people who make a difference and who care about each other and where they live. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

The core values of Action Together are important to me both personally and professionally. I wanted to work with like-minded people who are committed to strengthening communities, I also wanted learn from others, share and develop my skills in community development and asset based working. 

My hopes for Tameside are... 

That the sector continues to grow, becomes stronger, more influential, receives more recognition, becomes more economically sustainable and that you keep doing what you do best - looking out for each other.

What is my role? 

My role is Early Help Partnership Officer - I provide a link between families who need help, voluntary sector support organisations and statutory sector bodies, especially the council.

What most excites me about this role? 

The variety in my day-to-day tasks is both challenging and motivating, from direct support groups for families including the Parent Peer Support Group and Guardian Angels (for grandparents raising grandchildren) to meetings for the development of a range of local delivery programmes. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

I love that I can bring a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience to help others - that is what drew me to this role at Action Together.

My hopes for Tameside are... 

My aspiration for Tameside is a continued improvement in the range and quality of services and support and therefore a positive impact on the quality of life for all residents.

What is my role? 

I’m Saman, the Tameside grants and membership administrator for Action Together. I administer grants for VCFSE organisations in Tameside and promote and help groups to find funding for their organisations. I am also involved in welcoming new member organisations to Action Together to introduce them to the support we have to offer and know more about the work that is being done on the ground by VCFSE groups.  

What most excites me about this role? 

What most excites me is working with VCFSE organisations that are delivering amazing, much-needed projects in Tameside. Whatever area they may be aimed at, whether it be: families and young children, community wellbeing, nature and wildlife, or tackling racial inequalities, it has been great to see the different projects being run and the vital work that is being done by VCFSE organisations behind the scenes. 

What drew me to work at Action Together? 

I have had previous experience working as a community fund administrator so getting the opportunity to join Action Together as a grants administrator felt right. As someone who is really conscious of tackling the root causes of social and economic inequalities, working as part of Action Together to play a part in the voluntary sector and help break down barriers faced by people and communities felt like the perfect role for me. 

My hopes for Tameside are... 

One of my hopes for Tameside is to strengthen and hopefully increase the incredible work that is being done by VCFSE organisations. My hope is that through the work being done within communities, as wider networks and collaborations grow, we can start to tackle the social and economic deprivation even if it is just for one small area. 

What is my role?

I’m Alex, the Refugee Welcome Programme Administrator. My role involves supporting the delivery of the Refugee Welcome Programme, working closely with local partners, and helping make sure communication and monitoring run smoothly so that the most people can benefit from the fantastic ESOL sessions being ran by local groups.

What most excites me about this role?

What excites me most is working with delivery partners to support the incredible work they’re doing in providing accessible and welcoming language classes and progression routes for people seeking asylum and refugees. Sharing information and helping services work together feels incredibly meaningful – especially for those navigating multiple complex systems at once.

What drew me to work at Action Together?

I was drawn to Action Together because of its values-led approach and its strong commitment to collaboration. Action Together works with communities, for communities and that collaborative approach is something I really believe in. The belief that positive change is possible when we work together strongly aligns with my personal values.  

My hopes for Tameside are…

One of my hopes for Tameside is that people arriving through refugee and resettlement routes feel welcomed, supported, and able to access services without unnecessary barriers. I would love to see even stronger connections across organisations, making it easier for asylum seekers and refugees to access the amazing services in Tameside and find opportunities to build confidence, community and independence as they settle into the area.

What is my role?

 My name is Lily, and I am the Community Engagement and Insight Officer at Action Together.

I work with communities across Tameside to gather insight about what helps people live well, build strong local connections, and ensure community voices are heard. I support in the collection and use of community insight, helping turn local experiences into recommendations that can influence services, policies, and decision-making across Tameside and Greater Manchester.

 What most excites me about this role?

What excites me most is the opportunity to work directly with communities to gather real-world insight and help turn people's experiences into meaningful action. I enjoy seeing how community voices can influence change and improve local services and opportunities.

I am particularly passionate about advancing community-led insight and exploring new ways of working that ensure communities are listened to, consulted, and involved in decisions that affect them.

What drew me to work at Action Together?

I was drawn to Action Together because of its commitment to putting communities at the heart of everything it does. The role offered an opportunity to apply my skills in a community-focused setting and contribute to work that makes a real difference to local people.

My hopes for Tameside are…

I hope to see more opportunities for communities to have their voices heard and their experiences recognised. Most importantly, I hope that the insight gathered from local people is acted upon, helping everyone in Tameside to live well!