Alternative Futures Group crowned charity of the year

Catherine Conway, director of finance and IT, AFG, Julie-Walsh, AFG support worker of the year and Dawn Moorhouse, AFG governance, at the awards ceremony

Alternative Futures Group (AFG), which supports people in Rochdale, is celebrating after being crowned Charity of the Year at this year’s Charity Times Awards.

AFG, which supports more than 1,100 people every year with learning disabilities and mental health needs, beat off competition from Citizens Advice, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Stroke Association and United Response in the charity with an income of more than £30 million category.

The judges were impressed with how AFG had consistently been able to grow without compromising the quality of the service it delivers.

The charity provides around the clock support within the community, in peoples own homes or in one of eight treatment and recovery centres.

Carol Toner, Community Service Director at AFG said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for developing person centred approaches which support people in Rochdale to live the lives they want. 

“I'm proud of the team here and the initiatives we've delivered in Rochdale including the community cafe and community circles project."
Neil Campbell, Chief Executive of Alternative Futures Group: “This is a fantastic organisation with a committed and caring workforce who are dedicated to their jobs and the people they support.

“We’ve really led the way this year with so many unique initiatives including a two year partnership programme with Gambian charity Mobee. Support workers have travelled to Africa where they’ve been able to develop new skills and techniques and apply them in practice here, as well as get involved with other initiatives and projects.

“We also held a special conference to help shape future policy where Andy Burnham MP, the shadow secretary for health, was our keynote speaker and expressed his desire to see a whole person approach to social care. It provided a suitable climax to mark 21 years since AFG was set up with founding values of putting people at the heart of everything we do.

“Those values remain and will continue to be our focus in the years ahead.”