Petrus Community public AGM

Vice Chairman of Petrus Management Council Peter Galvin, Mayor Jim Gartside, Stephanie Harrison from Regenda, Petrus Treasurer Andrew Underdown

In Petrus’ 40th Anniversary year, Rochdale’s Mayor, Councillor Jim Gartside, said how pleased he was to chair the AGM of such a "worthwhile local charity". He introduced the speakers for the evening in front of an audience of interested Rochdalians, Petrus service users, volunteers and staff.

Vice Chairman of Petrus Management Council Peter Galvin opened the AGM, he explained Petrus is celebrating 40 years helping the homeless in Rochdale and,  despite financial constraints, continues to provide both day and residential support.

The Hub centre in Great George Street continues to support people during the day and also the charity has started to take on new avenues.

A 'Green Gym'  based at Beswicke Royd Street gives a therapeutic environment for the service users – hanging baskets and gardening produce of flowers are sold to the public, much of the production being done by Petrus service users.

A new venture being operated in partnership with Manchester University provides a valeting service and offers a work environment for people who are recovering from their low point in life and need to get back into the workplace.

A new second hand store is being developed in Hamer and is due to open soon to help provide further income to Petrus.

Still providing residential accommodation in multiple sites in Rochdale another new venture is a new residential unit in Oldham.

Treasurer Andrew Underdown explained that despite public funding reductions the charity had kept its finances in balance albeit with reduction of a floating support service to tenants and a project which worked with rough sleepers. Recent New government funding for the homeless has helped and a reduction in Rochdale Council support less severe than was feared.

Stephanie Harrison is Executive Director (Operation Customer Services) for Regenda  outlined Regenda’s role as an expanding large provider of housing in the North West with many links with Charities like Petrus. She gave a big thank you to Petrus for the successful working relationship enjoyed by both organisations over the years. She highlighted two recent partnerships, the joint funding (alongside Rochdale Township committee) of the Green Gym and more recently enabling the housing premises in Oldham to be used by Petrus. She remarked that as a Liverpudlian she was pleased to read that Petrus when it was started in Rochdale was modelled on a similar scheme in Liverpool.

A service user in the audience gave a glowing tribute to the charity, thankful for the housing advice and service she’d received.

The meeting finished on a high note with Mayor Gartside thanking everyone for their efforts to help Rochdale people, particularly the many volunteers without whom Petrus couldn’t function.