Rochdale

Join us as we mark South Asian Heritage Month 2024, by sharing some stories from our Action Together member organisations to highlight the richness and diversity of their South Asian Heritage, and find out just what this celebration means to them.

Here's our interview with Zakir Ahmad, CEO of Oldham community organisation, Yuvanis Foundation, an organisation who have been committed to empowering and uplifting individuals from diverse BAME backgrounds since their launch in 2009.

What have you done for your community that you would like people to know about?

One of our significant achievements is the establishment of wellbeing hubs, including our Women’s Hub, Youth Hub, and Men’s Hub. These hubs offer tailored programs that address physical health, mental wellbeing, and personal development. For instance, our Women's Hub has been instrumental in improving the mental and physical health of women from underserved and disadvantaged Ethnic Minority communities in Oldham.

We also organise various activities such as weekly football sessions, cycling sessions, and holiday activities that have positively impacted the lives of young people. Our cycling initiative is a noteworthy example. Through it, we have trained eight volunteers in leading cycling groups; trained multiple groups of women to cycle for the first time; engaged more than 50 young people in cycle maintenance and confidence building group cycle rides.

What change would you like to see in Oldham that would benefit the South Asian community?

I would like to see increased investment in community-led initiatives that address the specific needs of the South Asian community in Oldham. This includes better access to health services, educational opportunities, and employment support tailored to our community's unique challenges.

I also envision a more inclusive and cohesive society where cultural diversity is celebrated, and systemic barriers to equality are removed. Strengthening partnerships between local authorities, businesses, and community organisations, like Yuvanis Foundation, is essential to drive this change and ensure sustainable development.

Join us as we mark South Asian Heritage Month 2024, by sharing some stories from our Action Together member organisations to highlight the richness and diversity of their South Asian Heritage, and find out just what this celebration means to them.

Here's our interview with Rochdale based KYP, a leading community/voluntary organisation, who are celebrating a staggering 44 years of providing services and support to the communities of Rochdale!

What have you done for your community that you would like people to know about?

We have a solid track record of engaging with and providing support to individuals from South Asian backgrounds (Pakistan, Kashmir, Bangladesh) and to those from other diverse and marginalised communities (including refugees and asylum seekers  from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Somalia, etc). 

KYP’s support to the communities culminates in:

• Over 30 years of employment and skills training to the local community – including Community Learning, AEB, Apprenticeships and SSFW.
• 30 years of providing on-site childcare through our Little Gems Nursery
• Over 15 years of delivering Adult care through the Unity House / Apna Ghar facilities
• Over 15 years delivery of Ethnic Minority Business Support
• Successful delivery of the AMIF programme (including ESOL, Integration, LIUK support) reaching over 964 people over four years
• 711 TCN’s,  182 Afghans, 71 Ukrainians (78.9%) achieved either Life in the UK or ESOL qualification. 
• 30 years of managed workspace for new business startups and existing businesses

Our current provision includes:

• Adult Education – Childcare, Health and Social Care, Maths and English
• Little Gems Nursery - a 37-place community Nursery 
• KYP Pantry – Providing culturally and religiously appropriate food
• Advice and Welfare Service – Free bilingual face to face service
• Job Club – Employability support
• Apna Ghar – Day care for older men and women
• Social Prescribing – Referrals from network partners
• Community Facilities –  Community functions and events
• Restart Programme- Employability and ESOL courses
• Tackling Health Inequalities – Addressing Health and Wellbeing for BAME Women 
• GMCA/WEA – Community Engagement and progression opportunities
• Rochdale Ethnic Communities Network – KYP Leads this network of organisations and Leaders
• GM Ethnic Communities Network – KYP is part of the Leadership Group and is represented on the Board of Directors
• Rochdale Diversity Awards – KYP manages and hosts these prestigious Awards

Why do you feel it is important to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month?

It's important to celebrate South Asian Heritage because:

• It acknowledges and values people’s heritage and culture
• It instils a sense of pride and promotes positive self-identity
• It acknowledges people’s contribution to the borough (and British society)
• It instils civic pride, citizenship, and a sense of belonging (to the borough of Rochdale/wider society)
• It fosters unity and harmony
• It creates an opportunity for social inclusion, and sharing of knowledge/culture
• It provides an alternative perspective to what people may have assumed, or been taught in school

And finally, what would you say to people of South Asian heritage in Greater Manchester to inspire them to make a difference in the community or wider?

Many first and second generation of South Asians have lived and grown up in Rochdale and consider themselves as active citizens of the borough. This their home and future. They are an integral part of the community and contribute to the local economy and social infrastructure. They are proud to be 'Rochdalians' and love the borough and the country. The experience, resilience, perseverance and determination is enough to inspire others; this needs to be showcased and celebrated alongside any other specific contributions they have made to make their borough and country a better place to live and work in. 

KYP is proud that amongst the founder members of the organisation, we have a few honoured dignitaries; Lord Qurban Hussain of Luton; Mohammed Habeebullah OBE; Shahid Malik (former General Manager of KYP) elected MP who became the first Muslim heritage Minister in 2007. 

There are a number of other prominent people who have started their career in KYP such as Councillor Dalaat Ali, Deputy Leader of the Council; Cllr Iftikar Ahmed – Portfolio Holder for Health, Abdul Hamied – Deputy Director Strategic Partnerships – NHS England. etc

“I love being outdoors, it really is my happy place. I have always loved gardening and both of the projects I am involved with allow me to fulfil my passion every week. I had volunteered for Oasis Hub for around eight years when, three years ago the opportunity for a role came up and I went for it. I am now the Gardening Lead at Oasis Garden Hub and it is wonderful. I run community allotment sessions every Tuesday from 10am-2pm where everyone is welcome and we're always looking for volunteers.

Following redundancy just before the pandemic I also became involved with Northern Roots, where I am a Community Champion. We work on lots of brilliant projects and the site is amazing. I love my time there, and both of my roles really help me with my confidence and wellbeing.”

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.

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