Oldham

Oldham

National Archives - Project Grants

Aims/priorities: This initiative aims to respond to a long-standing challenge in the UK’s GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) and heritage sectors: how to make innovation and learning from community-facing projects more sustainable, transferable, and accessible across the sector. Through a supportive funding structure, it aims to help communities and organisations share their work more widely and contribute to a growing body of knowledge that others can learn from and build upon.

Funding Focus 2026: Made in Oldham

Every day across Oldham, local organisations are quietly creating change - supporting people, building connections and responding to the challenges that matter most to their communities. Behind each project is a story of passion, resilience and impact.

Much of this work is made possible through access to funding and dedicated development support. By helping organisations identify opportunities, strengthen their applications and secure vital resources, Action Together supported groups to turn ideas into action. This investment not only enables projects to get off the ground, but also helps organisations grow sustainably, extend their reach and continue delivering meaningful impact within their communities.

Here, we share some of the fantastic feedback from our member organisations across Oldham:

Greenacres Community Centre

Greenacres Community Centre is a valued community space serving all of Greenacres and it’s surrounding areas. The group are proud to run and manage a community centre serving residents local to Greenacres and its surrounding areas, supporting individuals, families and groups from all backgrounds, whilst providing facilities for recreation, leisure, and education in the interest of social welfare, benefiting the whole community.

Greenacres Community Centre were successful in receiving funding of £1,000 from the One Oldham Fund Children and Young People's Grant. The group organised a pantomime performance from a theatre company that families could attend at only minimal cost. An audience of 90 people attended the show and was a huge success for families to enjoy.

Feedback:

"The fund is positive, straightforward and a relatively quick turnaround which really helps us. Thanks for your support." - Steph Gill

Audience watching pantomime

Women's CHAI Project

The Women’s CHAI Project is a community-led organisation supporting women and families across Oldham through groups delivered in schools and community centres. Their work creates safe, inclusive spaces where women can connect, build confidence, and access peer support, made possible by a dedicated team of local volunteers.

CHAI currently delivers groups in eight Oldham schools and community centres, supported by 30 active Oldham-based volunteers who play a vital role inbuilding trust, belonging, and positive outcomes for women and families.

To recognise their contribution and support volunteer retention, they delivered the CHAI Volunteer Celebration Event in July 2025. The event brought volunteers together to reflect on their impact, receive personalised certificates and wellbeing packs, and connect through shared food and activities in a warm, inclusive setting. 

Action Together awarded the Women’s CHAI Project £500 via the Oldham Volunteer Celebration Fund to support the group to ensured volunteers felt valued and appreciated, strengthening their sense of belonging and motivation to continue contributing to their community and supporting the sustainability of CHAI’s volunteer-led work in Oldham.

Feedback:

"We found the grants application process to be clear, accessible, and well communicated, with guidance that made it easy to understand the requirements and timescales. Support throughout the project was responsive and helpful, which gave us confidence in planning and delivering the activity. We were especially supported by Jane Glysher-White from Action Together, who attended the CHAI Volunteer Celebration Event. Jane played a key role in making the volunteers feel welcomed and valued by speaking directly to them and presenting certificates. Her presence and engagement added real value to the event and reinforced the importance of volunteer recognition. Volunteers commented positively on how meaningful it was to be acknowledged by Action Together, which further enhanced their sense of pride and appreciation. Overall, the support provided contributed positively to the success of the project and to the experience of our volunteers." - Najma Khalid

Group photo of women holding certificates

Autism Family Support

Autism Family Support are a dedicated community of professionals, caregivers, and advocates united by a common goal: to provide compassionate support and resources to individuals with autism and their families. The team understands the unique challenges faced by those on the autism spectrum, and are committed to offering personalized guidance, education, and empowerment.

After receiving £3,000 from the OOF Family Hubs, Autism Family Support were able to set the wheels in motion for the project “The Sensory Sanctuary”. This project helped strengthen the Oldham Family Hubs network by offering an autism-friendly outreach space where families could access support locally.

They provided a calm, inclusive environment that made it easier for parents—especially those who don’t usually engage with formal services—to connect with Family Hub-style activities. Families were also signposted to other local partners for additional help, creating stronger links between our organisation and the wider Family Hub network.
By making services more accessible and welcoming, Autism Family Support helped more families take their first steps towards engaging with support across Oldham. 

Feedback:

"The application process was clear and straightforward, and the guidance notes were really helpful in shaping our proposal. Communication from the Action Together team was supportive and timely, especially when we needed clarification during the early stages.

We also appreciated the friendly follow-up and encouragement throughout delivery — it made the whole process feel collaborative rather than administrative. Overall, it’s been a positive experience, and we felt well supported from start to finish." - Sidra Ifzal

Girl holding craft project

Grants Awarded in Oldham

Action Together are committed to Equitable Funding Distribution. We openly share information about the grants we distribute and who they have been awarded to on our website.

Take a look at more of the grants awarded in Oldham

Changing Futures Lived Experience Support Grant

Aims/priorities: The Lived Experience Support Grant is intended to fund a single national organisation to lead and coordinate the integration of lived experience across the Changing Futures programme. Its purpose is to ensure that the voices, insights, and leadership of people with lived experience of multiple disadvantage are embedded in system design, delivery, and improvement, ultimately strengthening services and outcomes across local areas.

Changing Futures Learning and Support Grant

Aims/priorities: The Learning and Support Grant is intended to fund a single national organisation to deliver a coordinated programme of learning, improvement support, and knowledge-sharing across the Changing Futures initiative. Its purpose is to strengthen delivery across local areas and maximise the impact of system-change efforts by enabling collaboration, building evidence, and supporting more joined-up approaches to addressing multiple disadvantage.

Volunteer Celebration Fund 2026 - Action Together

Aims/priorities:  Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2026) is a time to say thank you for the fantastic contribution volunteers make.  During another difficult year, people from all walks of life have taken the time to volunteer and made a huge difference to people and their communities. Action Together is inviting local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside to apply for one of our Volunteer Celebration Fund grants to support an activity during 2026.  

Caremark Community Care Fund

Aims/priorities: Small grants are available to support grassroots community projects that improve quality of life and strengthen local communities. The fund supports practical, community-led initiatives, such as improving shared spaces, providing equipment, or enhancing local services, with a focus on delivering meaningful and lasting impact.

Who can apply? The competition is open to UK-based community groups, charities, not-for-profit organisations, schools, pre-schools, and community or local authority-run projects.

Army Benevolent Fund – Grants to Organisations

Aims/priorities: The funding is intended to support charities and organisations with projects and activities that directly benefit the Army community in six key areas: independent living, elderly care, education and employability, mental fitness, families and housing.

Who can apply? All registered charitable organisations and community interest companies which support the Army community, which includes veterans, serving soldiers, their families and immediate dependants, may apply. 

Barclays Community Sport Fund 2025 to 2027

Aims/priorities: The funding supports community groups and grassroots sports organisations who are working within the most deprived and/or rural areas of the UK and are making sport more accessible to women and girls, as well as engaging people from other under-represented groups including people with disabilities, from racially diverse communities and from the LGBTQ+ community. 

Two funding streams are available:

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