Tameside

Tameside

Men's Health Week and Live Great Adventures

As part of Men's Health Week 2024 we talked to Live Great Adventures based in Tameside.

Live Great Adventures was founded by husband-and-wife duo Liam and Jo Gray, inspired by their own journeys through mental health challenges. What began as a simple "Walk and Talk" initiative in April 2023 quickly blossomed into a thriving community of over 1,000 members. Live Great Adventures now offers robust support for mental health and everyday struggles, fostering a welcoming environment where people can forge new friendships, seek advice, and work on self-improvement.

Recognising a specific need for male-focused support in the area, they launched Men's Minds Matter in November 2023. Their goal was to create a healthy space that combines camaraderie and genuine friendships with the essential support men need during tough times. Here, members can develop the mindset and tools necessary to navigate life’s challenges more effectively.

The transformations they have witnessed have been remarkable, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:

"Today has made me realise my life is worth living."

"I feel like I've learned how to talk about my problems, and it's helped me a lot."

"Since starting, I've been diagnosed with ADHD and have been able to get my life back on track."

"I feel like I've got people who really care and want to support me."

"From the first session, I knew I wanted to keep going; I felt lighter!"

In addition to their hikes, events, and men's group, they offer 1:1 coaching, signposting, and various other services.

If you're a man in need of support, join them at their Men's Social Circle: Men's Minds Matter every Wednesday at 7:30pm at Academy HQ, Stalybridge.

They look forward to welcoming you!

Email: support@livegreatadventures.co.uk
Facebook: @livegreatadventuresuk 
Instagram: @livegreatadventures
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/live-great-adventures-62643132753

group of men in outdoor hiking clothing in front of lake and mountain background

The positive impacts of Community Gardening

This week is #CommunityGardenWeek, (1-7 April), where community gardens up and down the country are celebrated. The benefits of gardening to our health, happiness and mental wellbeing are well documented, not to mention the positive impact for the environment.

Our local communities across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside have a wealth of environmentally focused groups and activities from local neighbourhood gardens to community growing projects. The relationship between access to local green spaces and being involved in a positive, community-oriented environment can contribute to a greater sense of wellbeing and fulfilment.

Many of our members regularly volunteer for, or are involved in, gardening projects and groups in our communities, including individuals being referred via our Oldham Social Prescribing offer.

We spoke to Oldham Social Prescribing client Tracey who, after volunteering at Northern Roots and Oasis Hub Oldham, now has paid employment with both organisations. Tracey has been supported by both our Volunteering team and Social Prescribing team, and she told us just what it means to her to be involved.

“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.”

poster advertising gardening club

Do you love gardening and are feeling inspired? Why not check out some of the wonderful groups and projects on offer in your local community?

Here are just a few examples of our many member organisations across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside. To find a project local to you, take a look at our Community Activities Directory, or get in touch with us directly to see how we can help support you to find an a project or group suited to you: volunteering@actiontogether.org.uk

Oldham Community Gardening Groups

Northern Roots
A stunning community green space in the heart of Oldham. Northern Roots comprises 160 acres of green space and is a destination for learning, leisure and growing to benefit the environment, and improve health, wellbeing and livelihoods. Learn more: twitter.com/NorthernRootsOL/status/1772557728830910966

Oasis Gardening Hub
Part of Oasis Hub Oldham, Oasis Gardening Hub is a gardening group based in Limeside, Oldham. Learn more: twitter.com/Gardeningoasis1

NorthernLily
Failsworth based NorthernLily is a social enterprise connecting people to nature on land and water. They have an acre site including polytunnels, and welcome people to connect with nature, meet new people, and make a difference in the community. Learn more: www.facebook.com/NorthernLily/

Rochdale Community Gardening Groups

The Growth Project Rochdale
The Growth Project, in partnership with Rochdale and District Mind and Hourglass Environment, has been delivering help and support to people with mental health issues since 2009 in the form of food growing, conservation and skill-based learning projects. Their new project for 2024 is to develop and build a new shelter which is replacing the original building built in 2009. Learn more: www.facebook.com/Hourglass.org.uk/

Q Gardens
A community gardening group based in Kirkholt working with people from all walks of life to promote physical and mental wellbeing by offering a welcome space to learn about gardening and meet other people. Learn more: www.facebook.com/groups/1526322248185066/

PIER
Petrus Incredible Edibles Rochdale (PIER) a community allotment on Belfield Road in Rochdale is a beautiful, relaxing, and therapeutic piece of land, growing fruit and vegetables. Their vision is to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of food: www.petrus.org.uk/pier/

Tameside Community Gardening Groups

Leap Community Green Gardening Club
A small and friendly gardening group offering the opportunity to learn hands-on green skills a safe nature-based environment: www.facebook.com/TheLeapCentre

Wildflower Community Garden
The Community Garden, in Dukinfield, aims to bring the community together from young to old, to grow food, herbs and wildflowers with educational programmes for health and wellbeing. Learn more: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064934190735

Incredible Edible Mossley
Incredible Edible is a small community group that started in 2015 in Mossley. They grow fruit, herbs and vegetables in any suitable space, and for the benefit of the community. Learn more: www.facebook.com/incredible.edible.mossley/

More information

Want to learn more about the positive impacts of community gardening? Check out these wonderful articles from RHS and UK Research and Innovation:

www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening/news/articles/growing-a-garden-for-wellbeing

www.ukri.org/what-we-do/iyph2020/how-plants-promote-better-mental-health-and-wellbeing/

Crafty Spooners Make an Impact

Throughout April, we will be sharing success stories from our member organisations who have received grants, helpful tips to ensure your funding application has every chance of being approved, and highlighting the support services we offer that you should be taking advantage of!

Crafty Spooners

Crafty Spooners are a social craft group, open to everybody who wants to come along to have a chat and a coffee. Group members bring their own activity to complete and share with others. This can include a whole range of craft activities such as drawing, crochet, knitting, etc. The group meets each Monday 10am-12pm at The Society Rooms (Weatherspoons) in Stalybridge.

photo of craft equipment on wooden surface including scissors, beads etc

Sue, the organiser of Crafty Spooners decided that they should carry out a group activity to support a fund raising activity. The group had a discussion in one of their sessions and came up with the idea of making different kinds of jewellery pieces which could be put together in different creative ways and make costume jewellery and sell it at an open event at Willow Wood Hospice. Crafty Spooners have always worked closely with Willow Wood Hospice, supporting their many fundraising ideas and working with the team to help generate donations.

The idea was taken to the fundraising lead at Willow Wood Hospice who said it would be fantastic to have a stand at the event and would really demonstrate community support and outreach.

The group planned to raise funds to purchase the single piece jewellery items that would be made into finished, decorative pieces to sell. Jonathan King from Action Together attended a meeting to discuss ideas and stated that a jewellery craft activity could be funded by the Action Together Seed Fund. The Seed Fund gave groups an opportunity to test ideas out and they could apply for up to £150.00.

This was fantastic news, as once the items were purchased for the group it brought all the Crafty Spooners together (30 people) to work together on their design ideas.

Sue, the organiser stated:

“Jewellery making is such a creative and intricate craft and we had all the members talking about different ideas and developing new relationships”.

The crafting involved a lot of patience and over the space of six weeks the group made a 1000 items to be sold to at the stall at Willow Wood Hospice.

Through the Seed Fund the group not only were able to take on the creative challenge of making the jewellery but they were also able to work as a team to raise funds for Willow Wood Hospice.

Teamwork within community groups is essential for achieving common goals and making a positive impact. It fosters a sense of belonging, promotes collaboration among members, encourages sharing of resources and skills, and strengthens community bonds. Working together amplifies the group's effectiveness and creates a sense of unity within the community.

If your group would like support with a funding application, please contact us at development@actiontogether.org.uk

Funding Campaign | GMVRU Community-Led Approaches Programme

Throughout April, we will be sharing success stories from our member organisations who have received grants, helpful tips to ensure your funding application has every chance of being approved, and highlighting the support services we offer that you should be taking advantage of!

Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit

As part of our Funding Campaign this April we are pleased to bring you news of a fantastic fund on offer for organisations with strong connections to Darnhill, Rochdale thanks to Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit.

The Community-Led Approaches Programme from the GMVRU, and 10GM is being administered by Bolton CVS and is a community-led approach to violence reduction. This means the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) works closely with communities to understand the strengths, challenges, and needs of the community and determine how local investments will be made.

Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit logo

Several boroughs across the city-region have already received funding from the VRU as part of its investment in community-led programmes, outlined in Greater Manchester’s Serious Violence Action Plan and expressions of interest are now invited from organisations with strong connections with Darnhill to form an alliance to work together to develop the key areas identified.

The key focus of the programme is ensuring that young people and stakeholders come together, focusing on a strength-based approach, to identify what’s going on, what’s not happening and to develop ideas from within the community to inform projects and activities.

The aim for outcomes for young people living in Darnhill, as result of this funding, include:

  • Improved aspirations
  • Improved access to activities and opportunities
  • Improved mental and physical wellbeing
  • Improved relationships between young people and their parents/carers
  • Improved sense of pride, respect and belonging in their community

Expressions of interest should bring together a partnership of voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations who can achieve these outcomes in Darnhill. The delivery proposals need to prioritise young people aged 8-25 years and the grant offer is up to £100,000.

If you are a community organisation with links to Darnhill and feel you could work together with other groups to put a project in place, please see the information below on how to make an application.

For more information on how to apply, please visit: www.boltoncvs.org.uk/funding/greater-manchester-violence-reduction-unit/

Find out more about the VRU Community-Led Approach to Violence Reduction project: gmvru.co.uk/community-led-approach/ 

You can learn more about the strategy behind this programme through the Greater Than Violence Strategy: gmvru.co.uk/greater-than-violence-strategy/

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