Local projects get £60,000 National Lottery funding

The National Lottery

Seven local projects are receiving a share of £60,000 National Lottery funding.

The Multicultural Resource Centre has been granted nearly £10,000 to create a community recipe book that reflects the cultural diversity of Rochdale. It will include guidance for how to make a Christmas pudding, traditional Diwali treats and an old family recipe for falafel passed down through generations. The book hopes to raise awareness of different religious festivals and help strengthen acceptance and understanding in the community.

Abdul Shakoor, Project Manager at the Multicultural Resource Centre, says: “Food is a central part of celebrations across the world and one of the most effective ways to bring people together.

“Our recipe book will reflect the many cultures and traditions of people in Rochdale and provide an opportunity to celebrate and share our differences. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will finish with a community festival where people will showcase their cooking and hopefully bond over some delicious food.” 

Other groups who will benefit

BME Women’s Voice, which will receive £7,000 to run dress making courses for women from different cultural backgrounds.

Dream Big Sports, which gets over £9,000 to run sports activities for children.

Birch Community Group, Birch Children's Club, £1,700. The organisation will use the funding to continue to run a club for children in the community, including refreshments and arts and crafts.        

Centre of Wellbeing, Training & Culture Fighting Diabetes, £9,997. The project will offer one-to-one and group based sessions looking at diet, healthy budget meals, obesity, physical exercise and basic life skills. This will help raise awareness of healthy living, whilst tackling and reducing type-two diabetes within South Asian communities.           

PossAbilities CIC, The PossAbilities Christmas Show - Breaking down stigma, £10,000. The project will work with people with learning disabilities to put on a Christmas show. This will enable people with learning disabilities to increase their confidence, develop skills and deliver positive messages to help reduce stigma.               

Milnrow Parish Church of England Primary School, Healthy Eating Club, £10,000. The school will create an allotment, where pupils, their families and other community members will be involved in growing vegetables for consumption, supporting local people to make healthier dietary and lifestyle choices.