Rochdale

Rochdale

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 charities and other organisations which support the Army community, which includes veterans, serving soldiers, their families and immediate dependants, may apply. 

Hinrichsen Foundation

Aims/priorities: The Hinrichsen Foundation offers grants to support organisations and individuals undertaking projects to promote music.

Who can apply? Individuals, organisations, and charities in the UK are eligible to apply.

Priority will be given to projects involving composers and activity based in the UK, though activity does not have to occur solely in the UK.

Projects that are composer or artist-led are encouraged.

Applications for small grants from large organisations may not be prioritised.

Barchester Healthcare Foundation

Aims/priorities: The Foundation aims to make a difference to the lives of older people and other adults with a physical, learning or mental disability; supporting practical solutions that lead to increased personal independence, self-sufficiency and dignity.

The aim of this fund is on connecting or re-connecting people with others in their local community. Applications that combat loneliness and enable people to be active and engaged will receive highest priority.

Patagonia International Environmental Grants

Aims/priorities: Patagonia believes that “local battles to protect a specific stand of forest, a stretch of river, an indigenous wild species or a community from a polluting refinery are both effective at building public support and confronting larger, more complicated issues - like climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental justice” and accordingly provides grants for grassroot initiatives in the UK and the Republic of Ireland that are addressing these issues.

Funding Focus 2025: The Foodie Kitchen

This week, our funding success story comes from Rochdale based culinary school The Foodie Kitchen and the grant they used to establish a programme providing free, culturally appropriate food to support young people.

With a successful bid in Round 2 of the Food Solutions Fund, The Foodie Kitchen were awarded a grant of £4,876 to get the programme up and running to support young people, predominantly aged between 16-25, on an ad-hoc basis.

After learning that many food banks don’t offer the cultural food these young people want and need, The Foodie Kitchen knew there was something they needed to do. Their now established social eating programme brings communities together by demonstrating and cooking the native food they enjoy, whilst also providing vouchers so they can purchase staple items to continue making the dishes at home.

Group of young students in black cooking aprons smiling at camera with thumbs up

It is clear to see that the programme is having further reaching benefits than just the provision of cultural food and vouchers. Volunteers from each community are supporting each of the sessions, bringing their expertise in specialist ingredients and the best local places to source them.

The attendees also gain valuable learning and development around language and translation. Involving all of the cohort of students in the cooking process gives them valuable life skills and budgeting skills, which will help them manage their food budgets more effectively moving forward.

Case Study | Making a Difference

It was great to hear about the progress of one of the programme's attendees, Aminullah. The Foodie Kitchen told us: "Aminullah is one of the Afghani participants who is here alone and lives in a one-bedroom flat. At only 19, he is self-taught and a confident cook who led the sessions for the Afghani students. He has worked as a butcher and demonstrated how to prepare a whole chicken. He gave clear direction to the others who worked seamlessly as a team and took great pride in preparing and presenting their traditional food eaten on special occasions which reminded them of home. The Afghanis presented their food on large plates and then shared these between 2/3 people. Two participants wanted to make eggs because they hadn’t had any breakfast which they did and then took their dish to everyone to make sure they all got a few bites each – the brotherhood they showed was endearing."

See The Foodie Kitchen's Facebook post : The Awesome Afghanis

Young man and woman showing two bowls of food they are cooking

Funding Focus 2025: Masking in the Middle

Kicking off the first of our amazing success stories this month, we're sharing the successful funding journey of Rochdale-based voluntary organisation Masking in the Middle.

Masking in the Middle are a Family Support Group for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Greater Manchester, raising awareness of what 'masking' is through weekly sessions where families and children attend together.

Their journey has been one of immense success in a very short space of time, after receiving Seed Funding just last year!

Following their initial Seed Fund grant they have since gone on to secure a Micro Grant from our Rochdale Communities Fund, and a grant from Rochdale Creates. Discover the details of their journey below...

Masking in the Middle logo

Masking in the Middle (MiM) were initially awarded funding from the Rochdale Communities Seed Fund with the support of Action Together's Community Development Worker Julie. This grant enabled them to provide series of unique taster sessions for SEN children, particularly those children who fall into the category of 'masking'. This is the term used for individuals who are not formally on the SEND register as they learn to mask behaviour to fit in with their social peers.

After the success of their initial taster sessions, MiM accessed funding from the Rochdale Communities Fund Micro Grants which supported them to continue these sessions on a weekly basis. The sessions were held over a 15-week period, at Thrum Hall Methodist Church. They offered a quiet area for art, crafts and jewellery making, baking activities and sports, all while continuing to provide refreshments for the parents and children.

MiM told us that the families who attended built strong relationships and connections with one another. The children felt free to be themselves, and worked hard on their friendship building, communication skills, leadership skills, life skills and confidence and wellbeing.

Case Study | Making a Difference

We were inspired to hear about the difference the sessions had made to one of the families who had taken part. MiM shared: "One of our children at Masking in the Middle (MiM) has been attending the group since July and has grown tremendously in confidence. Yesterday, they were chosen to carry their Beavers flag during the Remembrance Sunday Parade, and they did so with great confidence and pride. Their parents have shared that without the support of MiM over the past four months, this achievement would not have been possible."

Group of children in industrial kitchen carrying out baking activities at a table, guided by three adult helpers

Not content with the success of their first grants, MiM went on to secure a grant from the Rochdale Creates Fund where they partnered with Little Bookworms who joined them to deliver therapeutic and creative 'Unmasking Confidence Through Drama' sessions. These drama focused session aimed to build confidence by encouraging self-expression and emotional processing through role play. You can read a fantastic summary of the event HERE.

If you want to find out more about the amazing work Masking in the Middle are doing to support families, see for yourself over on their Facebook page!

Group of children doing craft activities at a table being guided by an adult

Patch Community Fund

Aims/priorities: We care deeply about the communities we operate in and that's why we've created our Local Community Fund, which shares small grants with local good causes. Grants of £200 to £500 are typically made and support projects from local schools and sports clubs, to community projects. This is a competitive process, and the winners are decided by our own customers and the public.

Our customers will also have the opportunity to shape and participate in community activities and campaigns supported by us.

Football Foundation - Facilities Grants

Aims/priorities: The funding is intended to enhance the grassroots football experience by supporting projects ranging from the purchase of goalposts to improving changing pavilions. The Football Foundation provides comprehensive funding to improve football facilities for all participants.

Who can apply? Applications are accepted from football clubs and community sports organisations. This includes:

Stephen Lloyd Awards

Aims/priorities: The Stephen Lloyd Awards were established in memory of charity and social enterprise lawyer, Stephen Lloyd, who died in August 2014. They reflect his commitment to finding and supporting innovative ways of achieving social or environmental change.

Stephen was an innovator and developer of new ideas. These awards continue Stephen's passion through supporting early-stage projects that have real potential to achieve practical, positive, sustainable changes in today’s society.

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