Our latest Tameside summit brought together more than 80 people from local groups to share what they are doing, hear from others and get some practical support. Councillor Taff Sharif, First Deputy and Executive Member for Health and Equalities opened the day with a reminder about the importance of the VCFSE sector in supporting the Council Ambitions in the borough.
James Mallion, Director of Public Health Tameside, explained Live Well and the ambition to support community led wellbeing, and build great everyday support in all our neighborhoods, and Anna Hynes, Director of Action Together in Tameside, showcased the work we have done as one of the accelerator sites in developing Tameside's Live Well Principles and using storytelling to explain the difference community led prevention is making in Tameside. Groups got to discuss and build on these principles and build their own story telling skills with a practical workshop and take away toolkit from The Saltways.
Sian Goodwin, Operations Manager Action Together Tameside, explained our new Tameside Communities Fund and how the final Live Well principles will be the foundations of the fund, while storytelling and the skills groups got during the session will help them to apply more accessible and showcase their successful projects.
The teamwork to pull this together was fantastic, with everyone, including colleagues from Population Health pulling together to organize and run the event and everyone.
Anna Hynes commented:
'I am always humbled by the breadth of support and the passion that our groups have for what they do, from the larger groups providing specialist support, to the smaller organisations doing so many amazing things for people in their communities every day, which is what Live Well is all about - it is always fantastic to get together with them all hear about the work they do and think about more practical ways we can support them to thrive.'
The groups who attended reflect on the day:
"Yesterday was good. I enjoyed meeting old friends, networking with new colleagues and seeing how the groups we run at Richmond Community Centre supports the Live Well movement in Tameside. It really brought home the importance the role that the voluntary sector plays in making lives healthier and happier!"
Ken Marks | Richmond Street Community Centre
"I thought the day was very well planned and organised and totally relevant to our sector. It was especially useful to have input into the draft wellbeing principles and consider how our own service matches these. It was also very useful to network with other VCFSE organisations and discuss the challenges we all face but also connect due to our shared core values. A big thumbs up to the organisers and to those who attended!"
Suzanne Roberts | Branch Manager-Being There Tameside
"I found the event useful to attend. It's good to have an opportunity to network face to face and hear about all the wonderful groups and projects that are happening.
The launch of the new fund is an exciting opportunity for groups of all sizes to gain some financial backing and it will be great to see all the new ideas and also to fund some already existing groups that might be struggling financially. Thank you to Action Together for putting the day together."
Ben James | General Manager, The Anthony Seddon Fund.
"It was, as always informative but it was especially nice to spend time with like-minded people who’re providing a wide range of support & services to the communities of Tameside."
Councillor Jacqueline Owen
"Both interactive workshops on the Community-led Wellbeing Principles and Storytelling Toolkit provided the opportunity for me to meet new people and make new friends at our table.
It was a brilliant idea to launch Tameside Communities Fund with supporting take home information and guidance. Local Community Groups will feel at ease applying for the Micro, Small and Medium grants in the knowledge that Action Together has identified Development Officers to support us in our application should the need arise.
The day itself was well planned in my observation and I came home with a self-made video, following the session on Creating Authentic Videos using your own Phone.
A big thank you to Action Together for inviting me."
Agnes Fough | Roving Museum
If your group would like to attend the next Tameside Summit please contact development@actiontogether.org.uk
If you would like to know more about the work we are doing around community-led prevention visit our Live Well page.
If you would like to apply for the Tameside Communities Fund you can do so here
