Tens of thousands of pounds up for grabs as RBH 'Our Choice' events return

Residents celebrate after receiving funding for community projects through the RBH Our Choice project in 2014

The RBH 'Our Choice' project, which gives residents control of how money is spent improving their neighbourhoods, is returning with £47,000 of funding to thirteen neighbourhoods which local residents will decide how to spend.

A key element of the programme is that residents have the chance to vote at events called Decision Days for the activities they want to see provided. The project won a National Housing Federation Community Impact Award in 2014 for creating better neighbourhoods.

In 2013 and 2014 over £80,000 of funds were allocated to community projects, including IT classes, homework clubs, children’s activity sessions, sports sessions, gardening projects, card making and luncheon clubs.

Two new funding rounds are now in full swing giving residents in many more neighbourhoods the chance to have their say on what the priorities should be.

The amount of funding is based on the number of RBH homes in each area. Local people in each neighbourhood can apply for funding or can turn up to the 'decision day' events to vote for their favourite projects.

The first round will focus on:

• College Bank (£7,150)
• Turf Hill (£3,040)
• Central Heywood and Angel Meadow (£2,530)
• Hamer, Wardleworth and Pennine View (£3,540)
• Brotherod (£3,070)
• Brimrod (£,2240)

The deadline for project applications for these areas is Friday 13 February and voting will take place at Richmond Hall in Rochdale on Saturday 28 February, starting at 11am.

Neighbourhoods taking part in the second round are:

• Rhodes (£2,050)
• Syke (£2,790)
• Hardfield Street, Hopwood and Barley Hall (£4,670)
• Boarshaw (£3,780)
• Kirklee, Chesham and Meadway (£4,570)
• Stansfield, Shore, Littleborough and Smithy Bridge (£3,860)
• Holt and Bentgate (£3,620)

The deadline for project applications for these areas is Friday 27 February and voting will take place at Richmond Hall in Rochdale on Saturday 14 March, starting at 11am.