Turf Hill Estate Management

Turf Hill Estate Management Board (EMB) provides a variety of community activities, as well as liaising with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) on behalf of the estate.

A recent success came in lobbying RBH to get showers fitted to homes with existing tenants as well as when new tenants moved into the area. This followed consultation with families on the estate which demonstrated this was a priority for them.

The group was also heavily involved in ensuring local people were involved in the Decent Homes programme and helped get Turf Hill people into jobs with RBH working on the home improvements.

The weekly programme at Neston Road is packed with activities for young and old. A Wednesday lunchtime club draws a high attendance from local elderly residents who are able to get together and share a meal in a fun, friendly environment. There are also local after school clubs working in conjunction with Rochdale Council Youth Service, where children can unwind and do homework. Partner organisations come to the base and offer advice and information sessions including a regular job search slot from the Employment Links Partnership.

The base hosts two Information Technology suites, one only recently modernised. These are used to provide training on computer programmes and also enable children, who have been temporarily excluded from local schools, to work at the base during the day. This encourages a speedy return to the classroom. Lynne Brosnan, committee member, says she has seen many flourish and return back to school with a more committed attitude.

Outdoor facilities are plentiful with grant funding having provided a play area and a fully fenced and lit kick pitch, which is in regular use.

Turf Hill also arrange subsidised trips off the estate, to Alton Towers, for example, which means families can get out and about more affordably.

The Estate Management Board is keen to get more local people involved in the base, so anyone who wants to join the committee is more than welcome. No experience is  required.

Contact Turf Hill EMB on 01706 750549.