Over 50s will be invited to join the Rochdale Circle

Older people living in Rochdale will be the first in the North to have an opportunity to join a ‘Circle organisation’.

Clare Tostevin, Head of Strategy and Regeneration for mutual social housing provider Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), explains: “The Circle will be a membership organisation for all over 50s providing on demand help with various practical tasks using a network of local helpers. It is also a social network for people aged 50+ to join. The Rochdale Circle will be developed by older people themselves.”

The initial idea was developed over three years in conjunction with Participle, a social enterprise that work with and for the public. It brought together over 1000 older people and their families in Southwark to develop a social solution to help older people live their lives the way they want to live from their fifties and beyond.

The Circle organisation has since extended to communities across Greater London, rural East Anglia, the Midlands and now Rochdale.

The Circle models offers flexible support to older people across a range of tasks which is usually carried out for members by members and the local community. This provides a service that evolves with people as they age but most importantly has a positive social impact that improves well-being and provides new relationships.

The Rochdale Circle is being jointly funded by RBH and the Social Action Fund. The Rochdale Circle aims to be self-sustaining through its membership fees and the services it provides to members.

Dianne David, Service Director at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We’re delighted to support the establishment of a Circle in Rochdale. It will really contribute to helping people move from a reliance on public services to self help and community support – a key objective for the Council. I look forward to seeing how the Rochdale Circle develops.”

“We are really excited to be able to bring this model to Rochdale,” adds Clare. “It offers a chance for people to learn new things, get help and advice quickly and easily and helps to create a new social circle that can be as big or as small you wish.”

It is the fifth Circle to launch nationally and the first to be supported by a social housing provider and will officially launch in Rochdale in the autumn. In the meantime, if you would like any further information about the Rochdale Circle you can register your interest by emailing hello@rochdalecircle.org.uk