Social Investment and Community Investment headlines

2020 has been an unprecedented year for us all. We are proud to have been able to respond and deliver a number of projects to assist those that need it. We pride ourselves in being a key partner in Oldham and supporting the delivery of the boroughs most important aims.

This year we have been able to:

• Support the establishment of a local food pantry – 53 local residents and families receiving low cost food as part of a food pantry cooperative.
• Support the REEL, a local Oldham based charity with on line cooking classes, baby sensory classes, holiday hunger food packs and activities for children in the school holidays when they cannot access free school meals.
• Provide a resilience fund – £105k open to applications from community groups across Oldham and neighbouring local areas.
• Promote the Great Places hardship fund – inviting applications from individuals to sustain their tenancies or for crisis response due to Covid.
• Donate £15,000 to local community hubs to help Oldhamers in need during the national lockdowns.
• Promote National Energy Action fund (inc. a £10k contribution from Great Places) for residents who experience fuel poverty for top ups of energy plus checking customer is on cheapest tariff and  applying for grants to help clear debts that may have built up.
• Delivered a number of money management sessions – digital sessions for customers to learn about budgeting and how to manage their money effectively when living on a budget.
• Partner with Peaceful Minds who offer a mental health service for customers who are experiencing stress or anxiety throughout the pandemic – this can be 1-2-1 sessions or group therapy.
• Support Oldham based charity SAWN by donating £13,000 for a new vehicle to pick up furniture that can be re-used from empty properties and redistributed to those in need and avoid landfill. We have also provided accommodation for SAWN to run their domestic violence support projects which has also included a donation of £1500 to help establish and sustain the project.
• Supporting Oldham Women’s Network by purchasing panic alarms for the network which they will use to form a pack to support women who are fleeing domestic violence or are in fear of their safety.
• FCHO – Partnership with local landlord First Choice Homes to refer our customers into their Directions service where they can access local employment support, work placements and training. We have also partnered with a number of Greater Manchester (North) community groups to deliver free employment and training support and advice.
• In partnership with Oldham Athletic Community Trust provided SIA accreditation. Supported our residents and armed forces veterans by funding training and security licences then linked in with Oldham Athletic to offer interviews as stewards for football matches.
• Partnered with local community safety and policing teams to deliver training to staff to spot signs of criminal exploitation and offer support to those that are experiencing it in their property.