Rochdale AFC Community Trust wins award for One Stop bus project

Rochdale AFC Community Trust with their award

Rochdale AFC Community Trust has won the Community Initiative of the Season award at the Northwest Football Awards (NWFA).

The trust was presented with the award in front of more than 500 guests at a black-tie gala dinner, which was hosted by broadcaster, Eilidh Barbour, at The Point at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.

Rochdale AFC Community Trust was represented by trustees and staff from the charity and the football club at a star-studded ceremony and was presented their award from Professional Football Association CEO Maheta Molango.

The Armstrong Project's NWFA pays tribute to and recognises those who achieved footballing excellence both on and off the field during the 2021/22 season.

The trust won the accolade for ‘the One Stop bus’ which saw an end-of-life TFGM school bus stripped out and converted into a space for a food pantry and learning zone as well as a sensory area and quiet space on match days.

With support from Action Together, Premier League Fans Fund, and Arnold Clark as well as volunteers, club and community staff, volunteers and the players of Rochdale AFC, the bus has helped the charity have a huge impact on a variety of people across the 2021/22 season.

“We are absolutely delighted to win this award,” said community director, Ryan Bradley.

“The One Stop Bus is by far the most innovative project we have ever undertaken but with a clear vision, support of a number of partners and a lot of hard work we have a space that really makes a difference to the community of Rochdale.

“We have more plans in store – a new welfare and advice service starts next week as well as a winter food project and we have recently sent parts from the engine to Africa to repair a similar model school bus still in use over there – you could say the bus is now serving communities internationally.”