Rochdale

Rochdale

Funding Campaign | Rochdale Communities Fund

Celebrating a year of support across the Borough of Rochdale. Throughout the month of April, we’re focusing our stories on the many wonderful projects and events some of our member organisations have been able to provide to their communities thanks, in part, to either grants received, support, training or advice from our Funding team at Action Together.

Rochdale Communities Fund

We help our members find, and secure, funding right across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside but our story below shines a light on the Rochdale Communities Fund, which we’re delighted to say has now been providing grants for Rochdale based groups for almost a whole year! 

The Rochdale Communities Fund is a mutual fund to invest in and strengthen Rochdale Borough’s VCFSE sector. It funds groups and projects which directly benefit local people and communities, delivered by VCFSE organisations with roots in the borough.

Various grants comprise the Rochdale Communities Fund, each with their own focus. From Micro Grants which help groups to support individuals, families and communities, with a focus on challenging poverty and driving equality and promoting health and wellbeing to our Food Solutions Fund which supports groups in providing emergency and immediate food offers, as well as the longer-term sustainability of food providers. Find out more about each of the grants on our website: Grants Awarded in Rochdale

two male rugby coaches stood with large group of primary school aged children in PE kits in school hall
Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC

Here we share the enormously successful story of Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC who received funding from the Micro Grants Fund for their ‘Building the Future’ programme.

As the main community Rugby League club in the Borough, they felt they had responsibility to promote and encourage young children into the sport to ensure player participation increases year on year. The funding they received enabled them to launch their Building the Future programme which provides a fun and engaging environment to introduce children from local primary schools to the sport of Rugby League. 

Qualified coaches from the club, and the professional game, provided schools with six-week blocks of Rugby League delivery for classes during, and after, curriculum time. All sessions were high energy and focussed on fun, with children learning core rugby league skills and improving their fundamental movement skills with an emphasis on teamwork and personal development.

The success they’ve had following the launch is incredible. Twenty of the children who participated in one of the programmes have taken up the sport and are now part of the Mayfield family. They have been delighted with the numbers of participants and told us each programme got better each time. The project not only provides children with an amazing opportunity but also gives their young coaches valuable experience working with children from a variety of community areas and backgrounds

If you have an idea just waiting to get off the ground please contact us at: funding@actiontogether.org.uk and find out how we can help you with support to get you started and shape your vision into a fundable project, guidance to ensure your funding application is successful and highlight the training and support services we have on offer.

group of children holing rugby balls in the air and cheering

Funding Campaign | Seed Fund offers easy access grants in Rochdale

This April, our Funding Campaign aims to bring you stories and information about the multiple support offers we have available – whether that’s a focus on a specific grant, details of the advice and support we provide or access to our funding focused training.

Today we want to share with you the details of our recently launched Seed Fund in Rochdale. We’ve already received, and funded, several successful applications but are excited to spread the word so that more amazing projects can be supported across Rochdale, so if you’re a small community group looking for funding to get your community project off the ground this could be perfect for you!

Part of the Rochdale Communities Fund, our 'Seed Fund' offers easy access grants of up to £500 to Rochdale based micro-organisations and community groups who are unconstituted to support individuals, families, and communities in the Rochdale Borough.

Informal groups, of at least three people, actively engaging with an Action Together Community Development Worker, working towards constitution, and who have not already received a Seed Fund will be able to apply for this funding.

Your project must fall within one or more of the following priorities:

Challenging poverty and driving equality

  • Supporting people and communities to get back on their feet and take more control over their lives – i.e. practical support, advice or peer support
  • Reducing inequalities and helping more people reach their potential
  • Strengthening community voice and action on the things that matter most to them 

Promoting health and wellbeing

  • Enabling people and communities to support their social, mental and physical wellbeing  
  • Challenging health inequalities through working with marginalised groups whose needs are not being met by existing services
  • Building strong relationships in and across communities

We are thrilled to report there are already several Rochdale based groups who have been successful in accessing this grant, and are beginning to make great progress with their projects.

Boro Bees

One example is the wonderful project over at Boro Bees in Littleborough. Earlier this month our Community Development Worker Julie met with co-founder, Mark Harris, to discuss the support we can offer and the grant available for new groups through our Seed Fund Programme. 

We will be able to provide resources, guidance, and tools that will help Boro Bees thrive and make a positive impact in the community. It's truly inspiring to see the passion and dedication of everyone involved in this project. Boro Bees are not just creating a space for bees to thrive, but they are also fostering a stronger, more sustainable community.

community meeting between two people around a laptop

The Seed Fund is a fantastically easy to access grant, without the need for lengthy, complicated application forms. To apply you’ll need to meet with one of our Community Development Workers to discuss your idea and answer some basic questions about your project. The Community Development Worker will then complete an application on your behalf, and submit the application for a grant decision.   

You can apply if:

  • you are a social action group or micro group locally rooted or actively working in the borough of Rochdale; and
  • you are a member of Action Together CIO
  • you have not already received a grant through the Seed Fund
  • you are working towards becoming a formally constituted group and receiving support from a Community Development Worker

If your group is based in Rochdale or Pennines, please contact Julie Durrant: julie.durrant@actiontogether.org.uk

If your group is based in Heywood or Middleton, please contact: development@actiontogether.org.uk

For more general information, please either call 0161 339 2345 and ask for Hayley Tomlinson or please email: hayley.tomlinson@actiontogether.org.uk

Seed Fund logo positive
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