Residents vote to award community cash

RBH “Our Choice” award winners celebrate their success!

Youth activities and health and wellbeing for older residents were the big winners as residents from nine neighbourhoods voted to decide how to spend over £20,000 in community cash at the RBH “Our Choice” decision day, held at Heywood Civic Centre on Saturday 1 February.

The money was up for grabs as part of RBH’s ground-breaking Our Choice venture, which gives tenants the chance to shape the future of their neighbourhoods. At the event on Saturday, bidders were able to give a three-minute presentation in support of their project, with the final decision entirely in the hands of local residents who voted for their favourite schemes.

In total, £20,880 was allocated by residents to projects that would benefit each community.

In Heywood, residents from Plum Mill voted to fund the junior wardens "living history" project (£515) and health and wellbeing activities at Barnett Court sheltered schemes (£636), with a bid to bring the "youth bus" to the area receiving part-funding of £359. In nearby Pot Hall, residents voted to award the "youth bus" £1,000, with part-funding of £170 for the bid from the Darnhill Festival Committee to host "invention workshops".
In Middleton, residents in Cheapside voted to fund health and wellbeing activities at Clough Court, with part-funding of £130 for the Rochdale Hornets' "bowls with Rochdale" project.

Ray Worrall, resident at Clough Court and part of the successful bid, said: "We're delighted that our project has received funding. It will make residents happy and keep them interested and active. We're very grateful to the support we've received from [RBH Activities Co-ordinator] Rachel Saunders, who works very well with residents."

In Rochdale, a bid from the Freehold Community Group topped the vote of residents in the Freehold and Milkstone areas, with £4,300 awarded for community activities at Freehold Community Base.

Residents in Falinge Hill and Shawclough voted to fund health and wellbeing activities at Mountside View (£436) and the junior wardens living history project (£515). Part-funding of £1,249 was also awarded to Rochdale Youth Service to host a "Shawclough Fun Day".

In Channing Street and Waithlands, residents chose to fund the "Family Fun 4 U" project (£1,000), with part-funding of £1,790 for the Rochdale Youth Service "Bridge The Gap" plans.

Dicken Green is another area preparing for the arrival of the "youth bus" after £1,000 was granted for youth provision in the public vote; £1,200 was also awarded to the "Hang 'Em High" project to provide hanging baskets to improve the local area.

Summeya Ijaz, who helped prepare the "Hang 'Em High" bid, said: "This project will improve our local environment and provide an opportunity for residents in the area to interact and get to know each other better".

Residents in Ashbrook Hey voted to support the junior wardens living history project (£515) and health and wellbeing activities at Low Bank (£436).

Local people in the Birch View area prioritised youth activities, with Wardle and District Juniors securing £1,558 of funding, and part-funding of £1,812 awarded to the Rochdale Youth Service bid.

Brenda Richardson, who presented the Wardle and District Juniors bid alongside local young people Courtney Devaney, Kaci Fox and Casey Clough, said: "We're delighted to be awarded the money by local residents; we're planning some arts and crafts sessions, pottery, and some multi-generational work to break down barriers between young people and the older generation. Some of our young people are also planning to complete a fun run to raise additional funds."

Jonathan Walton, RBH Engagement Manager, said: “We’re delighted that so many local residents from across the Borough turned up to have their say. Over £20,000 of funding has been awarded by local residents for projects that benefit the communities they live in. I hope that our next event on 1 March is as successful, and I would encourage residents to get involved.”

A further £26,810 is up for grabs at the next "Our Choice" event, to be held on the afternoon of Saturday 1 March, again at Heywood Civic Centre.

Residents in Moorclose, Junction, Baytree and Hollin (Middleton), Bury Street and Heady Hill (Heywood), and Firgrove, Bellshill, Mayfield, St Annes and Spotland (Rochdale) will be able to vote on funding for their communities. The closing date for applications is Friday 14 February, and application forms are available from the RBH Engagement Team on 01706 273898 or email engage@rbh.org.uk