Rochdale
Rochdale
Volunteer Voices 2024, Meet Action Together
And last but not least, another story of Employer Supported Volunteering, or Corporate Volunteering, where the employees of an organisation take time to volunteer during work hours, or organise volunteer activities.
Meet our Action Together Volunteering team from Oldham who, earlier this year, took Good to Grow Week as an opportunity to volunteer their time to help support the Alexandra Park Hub. The Hub is a food-growing hub, community allotment, and is part of the Get Oldham Growing programme. It’s a resource for green fingered enthusiasts who want to learn more about growing healthy food.
Our Oldham Volunteering team met with Hannah Williams who gave them a tour around the Hub and shared with them how the Hub operates, and the many benefits it provides to the community, such as; providing volunteer opportunities, donating vegetables to local food banks, encouraging involvement from the community, and educating young students.
Following the tour, the team got stuck in and spent the morning removing weeds from the onion beds, in order for them to grow and be harvested in a few weeks.
Josie, Volunteering Development Coordinator at Action Together, said;
"Our team had a great time learning more about the Hub's projects and having the opportunity to do some volunteering ourselves! It was so rewarding to meet some of the volunteers who had been supported by our team, and to see first-hand how much they enjoy their volunteering roles."
Volunteer Voices 2024, Meet Gillian
Gillian’s journey began a while ago and she has been involved in a range of volunteer roles throughout the years. From volunteering at Age UK in 1993, to volunteering in chaplaincy, admin, reception, then onto her current volunteering role with Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in their charity shop.
In 2012 Gillian was, unfortunately, made redundant after 18 years. From here, she made contact with Action Together to discuss volunteering ideas. Gillian then went on to volunteer with Action Together as a Receptionist, volunteered at Positive Steps Oldham, and with First Choice Homes supporting their administration.
During her time as a volunteer Gillian also found paid employment at a local school, a football club and found the time to run her own business! She is a friend, a mum and a wife, and loves to walk her dog. We don't know how she fits it all in but Gillian certainly likes to keep herself busy!
Gillian told us that the benefits of volunteering have had a huge impact on her life including gaining employment, meeting new people, planning days out with new friends, and enjoying herself.
Hear from Gillian in her own words as she shares her experience as a volunteer;
Gillian's role at Dr Kershaw’s charity involves her welcoming people, stock checking, sorting donations, steaming and using the till. The reason Gillian volunteers is to support her local community and give something back. Her late Mum had helping hands support from Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, and she found that volunteering was a great way to support a local charity close to her heart. She says;
"Volunteer and go for it! What have you got to lose? Theres only things you can gain!"
Volunteer Voices 2024, Meet Findel
Employer Supported Volunteering, or Corporate Volunteering, is where the employees of an organisation take time to volunteer during work hours, or organise volunteer activities. Action Together works with local groups across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside to develop volunteering projects and roles, and then matches workplaces that want to volunteer with local organisations who need their help.
Last year Action Together were approached by Hyde-based Findel Education with a request to help them find an opportunity for their staff to get involved in volunteering.
We were already supporting our member organisation Hattersley Projects to recruit new volunteers by advertising their volunteer opportunities through the volunteering directory on our website, social media and volunteering emails. This quickly found six new volunteers to support their projects, helping them get involved in gardening, woodwork, painting, and learning new skills around sustainability and growing flowers, fruit and vegetables.
As part of of our Employer Supported Volunteering offer in Tameside, we then linked Hattersley Projects with Findel Education, and a team of four employees attended for a volunteer day.
Sharmain, Volunteer Lead at Hattersley Projects, said;
"They cleared the space beside our entrance and planted flowers to make the area more welcoming. The difference it has made is huge and we have had nothing but compliments about the first impressions walking into our site.
A massive thank you to Katie, Maria and Paul who worked tirelessly in the heat to make a huge difference to an area of the centre and a big difference for their community. It’s employers and people that volunteer here who make the biggest difference and can help us in many different ways. Thanks also to Action Together who supported us, and who continue to do so."
Following their volunteer day at Hattersley Projects, Findel Education continued their drive to support local charities, and Action Together connected them with Community Matters.
Community Matters is run through the Hattersley Community Hub and helps support families across Tameside. The aim of the campaign was to help families in need by providing pencil cases filled with stationery to children to use as part of their learning. For many families the cost of stationery is one that very few can afford. This appeal goes a long way in ensuring children have the equipment they need to learn and that they don’t feel that they are missing out because they don’t have some of the things that other children do.
Claire Greave from Findel Education said;
“We were more than happy to donate 100 filled pencil cases to their cause as it’s important to us here at Findel that we support children’s education however we can. Part of our ethos ‘growing education for generations’ is to ensure that everyone gets a fair chance, and that’s why campaigns like these ones really matter. Thanks to Jacqueline and Janet for visiting and we can’t wait to hear how this campaign makes a difference.
Action Together helps bring people and communities together and we simply wouldn’t get to hear about all these amazing charities and groups if it wasn’t for you, so thank you!”
Findel were thrilled to support and, following their initial involvement with Community Matters, they have gone on to support them on more occasions - with donations of toys and games at Christmas to distribute across the community, and with another employee volunteer day supporting The Bread and Butter Thing in Hattersley!
Want to know more?
If your team would like to volunteer together, find out more about Employer Supported Volunteering at: www.actiontogether.org.uk/ESV
Volunteer Voices 2024, Meet Samson
We are thrilled to hear, in his words, how Samson's volunteering journey is flourishing, the huge benefits he's bringing to the community, and the personal sense of achievement and wellbeing he's taking from his role.
Samson told us;
“I am originally from Rwanda. I have been in England since 2022. Being part of the Tameside community, I feel a moral obligation to contribute to its development in any way. I have undertaken the process of volunteering with New Life Church for the role English Conversation Facilitator. I speak English, French and Swahili fluently. I also have intermediate level of Luganda (largely spoken in Uganda).
The role involves teaching basic English on an agreed topic, encouraging learning through conversation and practice. Learners are from Tameside communities who need help to improve their communication in English.
Action Together was my lightening candle and entry gate into volunteering. They walked me through the volunteering process and made the necessary arrangements and connections for me to begin volunteering. They also regularly provide useful information through their resourceful website and eBulletins.”
Volunteer Voices 2024, Meet National Gas
Employer Supported Volunteering, or Corporate Volunteering, is where the employees of an organisation take time to volunteer during work hours, or organise volunteer activities. Action Together works with local groups across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside to develop volunteering projects and roles, and then matches workplaces that want to volunteer with local organisations who need their help.
In November 2023, as part of of our Employer Supported Volunteering offer in Rochdale, we successfully placed employees from National Gas with The Bond Board. National Gas approached us expressing their wish to undertake a volunteering day to support a local group that really need that extra help. After speaking with several groups, one that stood out to was The Bond Board.
The Bond Board has been operating in Rochdale since 1993 and is a registered charity that exists to reduce homelessness by getting people on low incomes into private rented accommodation. One of many support initiatives they offer is their regular 'Quid's In' coffee mornings at St Andrews Church in Rochdale, and they were in need of volunteers to support in the kitchen as well as front of house.
National Gas were more than happy to support and, since volunteering in November, they have developed quite a partnership and have since returned to volunteer again for The Bond Board in January this year!
Emma Bellis, National Gas said;
“I just want to say a big thank you for allowing myself and my team to come and volunteer on Wednesday, we had a great time!
We really enjoyed having an opportunity to understand The Bond Board, the super hard-working team you have there and also meet the people who depend on your services. Also thank you Action Together for helping set this up for us.”
The Bond Board said;
“It was so good to welcome four Employer Supported Volunteers from National Gas with us at our Coffee Morning today. They got stuck in with supporting our existing volunteers in the kitchen and helping to manage our donations table. They enjoyed it so much they want to come back! A big thank you to Action Together for facilitating what will hopefully be a brilliant ongoing partnership.”
Volunteer Celebration Fund | Our success stories from 2023
As part of this years’ Volunteers’ Week celebrations, we launched our ever popular Action Together Volunteer Celebration Fund for 2024.
The fund invites VCFSE groups from Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside to apply for a grant of up to £500 to host an event or activity to celebrate and say thanks to their volunteers. It really is the perfect opportunity for your organisation to honour every one of your volunteers, celebrate their achievements and their fantastic contributions that make a difference within our communities.
We’re sure you have heaps of wonderful ideas and plans already but if you needed any inspiration, just take a look at these amazing activities that our members were able to deliver using grants from our Volunteer Celebration Fund during 2023.
All Sufficient Sanctuary
All Sufficient Sanctuary hosted their Volunteer Celebration Programme in September 2023. The celebration started with a welcome speech by Chair; Veronica Afemikhe. In her speech, she thanked the volunteers for their selfless efforts in the last year and also highlighted some of the achievements in the period under review. This include the record number of people All Sufficient Sanctuary were able to reach in last year.
Volunteers were presented with a Certificate of Commendation and gift vouchers, to thank them for their contributions. Food and drink was also provided at the celebration, and the cutting of the celebration cake was a notable highlight of the event.
All Sufficient Sanctuary also used the opportunity to introduce new people into the volunteer workforce.
Royton and Crompton Over 60’s
Royton & Crompton Over 60’s hosted a fabulous celebration lunch for 44 of their volunteers. The volunteers were treated to a fish and chip lunch which, "went down a treat!" followed by a variety of sweets, cheese and biscuits and a large celebration cake. The group also gave volunteers a Gift of a Bush for their gardens and a goody bag with a variety of items such as chocolates, note book and pen.
"We all had a wonderful afternoon celebrating and may thanks go to Action Together and their team for the support we receive, especially from Adele who is a gem.
Our volunteer members, many who live alone, state that having a lunch together is the highlight of their week. Friendships are formed over the weeks, and even more so over the intimacy of a meal. Thanks you so much for your support."
SAWN
To celebrate their volunteers' contribution, SAWN took advantage of a lovely summers day and held a barbeque at GROWE, their community Orchard in Failsworth. The volunteers were able to enjoy delicious food and were also presented with a certificate of achievement to recognise their commitment and contribution to SAWN’s services.
"Without the volunteers' commitment we would not have been able to deliver services, such as the Furniture hub, Agatha’s Space, SARATI and other services within SAWN.
All the volunteers really appreciated getting together to enjoy the barbecue, cake and the good weather. Our oldest volunteer, Mama Norma, who helps out in the furniture shop said, '' I don't know what I would do without SAWN... you are my family! If it wasn't for you I would be sitting at home in my front room watching the traffic go by with my cat Whitey all day long. Instead, I get up and I come down to the mill where I feel useful, and I appreciate feeling loved and supported by my SAWN family.''
The application was very simple and straightforward - thank you Action Together for all your support. We know we can ring any one of your staff for advice and guidance and this is very much appreciated."
Oasis Hub Oldham
Oasis Hub Oldham sent out official invitations to their volunteers inviting them to a Volunteer Celebration. On the day, they went and purchased an afternoon tea-style lunch with sandwiches, wraps, salad, cakes, and drinks. They decorated the tables at Northern Lily with tablecloths and set up the food table.
Volunteers arrived to a wonderful lunch, and each volunteer was called out to the front to receive their personalised certificate and chocolates, and were applauded and celebrated for their hard work.
The fun also continued as the group then went out and collected fruit from the orchard (apples, pears, blackberries) to make fresh fruit juice in the outdoor juicer. They also visited the therapy pygmy goats, brushed, fed, and had cuddles with them. At the end of the day, everyone was given a bag full of fruit and veg to take home.
"Everyone had a wonderful time! The project was a success, the highlights were giving out the certificates and celebrating every volunteer individually.
"It was an amazing day loved everything about it had such wonderful people there to celebrate wit.h " Vikki Jackson
"It was good because everyone was there that we know. I like the goats and the food and also enjoyed picking the apples." Sofia Wood (young neurodiverse volunteer)
"I enjoyed the day and felt appreciated for my work volunteering." Sarah Miller
Fatima Women’s Association
Fatima Women's Association treated 20 volunteers to a celebration meal, where they conducted a presentation, talked about the remarkable success of FWA for over 32 years, shared past and present stories and presented certificates to the volunteers.
"It was a successful event which was appreciated by everyone present."
Chadderton Together
Chadderton Together created Lydia’s Tearoom, in Foxdenton Park, in 2021. This tearoom is now a busy and thriving not for profit community hub and cafe. They operate the café with willing volunteers who freely give up their time by volunteering. This essential help allows the café to remain open five days each week.
Chadderton Together used their funding to host a celebratory luncheon. This luncheon acknowledged the band of regular Lydia’s Tearoom volunteers as a way of saying “Thank you!” for all their hard work, time and commitment that they freely given to Chadderton Together and the cafe. The luncheon was an amazing success and a wonderful way to meet up and chat on a more social basis.
"Had a wonderful few hours at the Hunt Lane Tavern being treated to lunch and drinks with fellow volunteers. Thank you Action Together for making it possible. So nice for volunteers to be appreciated in this way." Mags Hughes
"Great afternoon lovely company and delicious food. The volunteers are greatly appreciated and had a well deserved treat. Big thank you to all who were involved." Mary Wilk
"Being a volunteer at Lydia's Tearoom is something which I enjoy immensely. I work with lovely people and we all enjoy our time with each other. Our recent lunchtime get-together at the Hunt Lane Tavern was very much appreciated. As well as the lovely food and drink which was provided for us, it gave us the opportunity to socialise as a group. I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to be part of the group. Many thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen." Jean Warner
Volunteer Celebration Fund 2024 Information
We are very happy to share that all the funds for the Volunteer Celebration Fund 2024 have been successfully allocated to organisations in Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside, to support them in celebrating their dedicated volunteers.
If you have any queries, please contact our Funding team on: 0161 339 2345 or email: funding@actiontogether.org.uk
Mental Health Awareness Week | Funding Opportunities
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place between 13-17 May 2024 - an important week to shine a light on mental health and break down stigma.
Action Together secure investment that supports local action, removes barriers and helps to get funding to where it’s needed most.
This week, we would like to highlight the funding opportunities we have available for member organisations who support individuals to help better their wellbeing:
Barchester Healthcare Foundation
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.
Grant amount: from £100 to £2,500
Deadline: Applications may be submitted at any time
Bally's Foundation
The main focus of the Foundation is on providing grants and funding to organisations to preserve and protect the wellbeing of individuals suffering from mental health issues.
Grant amount: Funding is at the discretion of the Foundation
Deadline: There are no application deadlines
Douglas Arter Foundation
Grants are available to UK registered charities for projects for the benefit of people of all ages with physical and mental disabilities within the UK.
Grant amount: Funding is provided at the discretion of the Trustees. Previous grants have been for between £500 and £2,000, with the majority being given in the £250 to £500 range
Deadline: Applications may be submitted at any time
Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust - Ann Rylands Small Donations Programme
The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust offers grants to UK based charitable organisations which offer practical and emotional support to improve health and care for; older people, people with disabilities or living with serious illness, people needing palliative and end-of-life care, or people facing challenges with mental health, social exclusion or homelessness
Grant amount: up to £5,000
Deadline: Applications may be submitted at any time
CRH Charitable Trust
The funding is for charitable activities that seek to support children, young people and adults with mental illness and mental disability in north west England.
Grant amount: There is no specific maximum or minimum grant
Deadline: Rolling programme
Synergi Small Grants Fund
The funding aims to support grassroots campaigning at the intersection between abolition, mental health and racial justice.
Grant amount: £5,000 are available
Deadline: 30 May 2024
Funding support for you
If you have any queries about the funding available from Action Together, please emailing our Funding team at funding@actiontogether.org.uk
If your group would like support with a funding application, please email our Development team at development@actiontogether.org.uk