Residents lead the way on £20,000 boost

Residents lead the way on £20,000 boost

Cookery, rugby, computers and dancing were all on the agenda as residents took the lead in allocating over £20,000 for projects in neighbourhoods around the borough.

RBH’s latest Our Choice Decision Day, held at Richmond Hall, Rochdale, again gave residents the chance to vote for the events and activities that they wanted to see take place in their communities.

The award-winning Our Choice project sees RBH put its mutual values into practice by giving neighbourhoods a pot of money and inviting them to decide which schemes will receive funding.

Residents in Syke awarded £1,884 for new laptops and a tutor at Syke Community Base so that it can continue to support local people in getting online. In addition, a 12-week dance fitness class for women received £906.

‘Kitchen Kapers’, which will teach cooking and life skills to people with mental health or learning difficulties, was allocated £2,500 in Hardfield Street, Hopwood and Barley Hall while there was also backing for improvements to lounge facilities at a sheltered housing scheme (£1,031.96).

In addition, there was £1,138.04 for ‘Digital Minds’, a 12-week programme to help older people gain computer skills.

Plans for the Croft Wildlife Pond and Sensory Garden were awarded £1,500 by Boarshaw residents who gave the same amount to ‘Step Ahead’, a scheme to help parents keep their children safe online.

‘Digital Minds’ received £280 in this neighbourhood while the ‘Hornets Community Street League’ was allocated £500 to help provide touch rugby sessions in the community for people of all ages.

Residents in Kirklee, Chesham and Meadway also provided £1,500 each for the ‘Digital Minds’, ‘Hornets Community Street League’ and ‘Step Ahead’ projects.

There was further support for ‘Digital Minds’ (£1,280) and ‘Hornets Community Street League’ (£500) in Stansfield, Shore, Littleborough and Smithy Bridge together with backing for a Sports Fun Day (£700), Emergency Services Day (£200), ‘Dig it Day and Bug Hunt’ (£350), and ‘Tea and Bingo’ (£200).

In addition, arts and crafts sessions based around a theme of ‘Memories’ received funding of £600.

Holt and Bentgate residents supported activities for youngsters with £1,350 allocated to dance and fitness sessions and £1,070 to swimming classes. There was also an award of £1,200 for a clean-up day at Ash Grove.

Jonathan Walton, RBH Engagement Manager, said: “Once again Our Choice has proved a great success with residents coming forward to suggest schemes and vote for their favourites.

“A big thank you to everyone who came along to the event and proved how RBH’s mutual values can support real improvements at neighbourhood level.”

Niel Wood, a trustee of the Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation, was delighted with the funding which was awarded to the touch rugby project.

Niel said: “It’s fantastic - a key aim is to help people live healthy lives by taking the project out to their neighbourhoods.

“The funding that Our Choice has provided will be a huge help in supporting residents to get fit and active.”