Change your life - and someone else’s

RBH Volunteer Co-ordinator Daniel Turner with resident Robert Jump and the Mayor, Councillor Peter Rush

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Residents are being urged to become Community Champions and help to transform lives - including their own.

The appeal for RBH Champions was officially launched by the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Peter Rush, at Yew Court sheltered housing scheme in Warwick Road, Rochdale.

The Community Champions project is all about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. By helping RBH tenants reduce their energy bills, manage their money, apply for jobs and get online Champions can make a crucial difference.

In doing so they will reap major benefits themselves in terms of enhancing their CV, improving their people skills and boosting their self-confidence.

Anyone can volunteer to be a Champion, regardless of whether they are RBH tenants. A two-day training course is taking place in the New Year with on-going support and advice available whenever needed.

The Mayor said: “I’m delighted to launch RBH’s appeal for Community Champions which I believe will benefit lots of people - both the volunteers and those they are helping. The feeling of satisfaction that comes from helping someone turn their life around will be enormous and remain with you for ever.

“By bringing people together for the benefit of all this project reflects our borough’s heritage and symbolises all that is best about our residents. I hope as many people as possible will come forward to train as volunteers and demonstrate how our co-operative principles are as relevant today as they have ever been.”

The Yew Court residents quickly saw the range of benefits that going online can bring, whether it be learning more about favourite musicians or looking at holiday options.

Resident Robert Jump, 81, said: “I’ve really enjoyed going on the internet to find out more about the things I’m interested in and would definitely like to do it again.”

Research Assistant Mary Gogarty was one of the RBH employees who volunteered at the session.

She said: “We’ve had a great time here today and it was a wonderful way to launch our appeal for Community Champions. Training to be a Champion takes just two days which is a small investment when the benefits could last a lifetime.”

For more information or to volunteer to become a Champion please contact Mary on 01706 273920 or at mary.gogarty@rbh.org.uk