Voices could be heard at community awards

Members of Rochdale community group Hearing Voices have their fingers crossed this week as they wait to hear if they have won an award at the prestigious 'A Night of Community Stars' ceremony to be held in Manchester on Friday 21 November.

Hearing Voices has been shortlisted for the Healthy Living Award sponsored by Sodexo and is up against three other projects from around Greater Manchester.

The group was formed two years ago to provide support for people living in the Rochdale area who suffer from schizophrenia. Sufferers often feel isolated and find it difficult to ask for help and support. The group provides a safe environment in which to provide workshops, information and newsletter development.

Part of the work of the group is to help sufferers maintain an independent life and workshops focus on strategies which help them to deal with hearing voices.

A spokesperson said: "Members of the group have often been on medication for long periods of time and been under the care of statutory bodies - to be able to enter an environment that is friendly and reassuring is extremely important to them. Following the success of the original group in Rochdale the group is now looking to extend its services to Littleborough and Heywood."

A Night of Community Stars is an annual event organised by local charity and grant maker the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester. The event is designed to celebrate the hard work and success of volunteers and community groups all around the region.

The event and welcomes more than 500 people from across the region including distinguished guests such as the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Mayors from all Greater Manchester boroughs and the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.

Nick Massey from the Community Foundation comments: “This group is shining proof that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things simply by caring enough to get involved, and developing innovative solutions to cater for local needs. We are looking forward to welcoming the Hearing Voices team to our celebration night when the awards will be made.”