Kindness is contagious

We’ve put together a few ideas on how you can make a positive difference this festive season & new year and spread a little community spirit and friendship; simple steps that will help you to put a smile on someone’s face (and hopefully yours too!).

SUPPORT A LOCAL FAMILY IN CRISIS

With 1 in 5 of the UK population now living below the poverty line, food banks play a vital role in the community. Why not make a positive difference to a local family this festive season by donating much-need food supplies.

The ‘reverse advent calendar’ is a lovely way of doing this and involves putting one item of food aside each day. You could get the whole family involved by getting children to decorate the box, helping them to understand that Christmas is about giving. Just make sure you drop the box off at your local food bank in good time for Christmas.

Last year, Rochdale Foodbank gave three day emergency food supplies to 6614 people in crisis including 2263 children. The foodbank is open 11am - 12.45pm every weekday, at 8 South Parade, Rochdale. Food donations can be dropped off anytime during opening hours. There is also a donation point at the entrance to Tesco, (Silk Street, Sudden) during opening hours.

The foodbank urgently need semi-skimmed milk (UHT), sugar and pasta sauces and are also short of items such as breakfast cereals, snacks, coffee, long life fruit juice and tinned meat/ fish/tomatoes/ fruit/spaghetti/ potatoes. Festive items such as Christmas puddings, shortbread and selection boxes are also welcome.

A full up to date shopping list can be found on their website, visit rochdale.foodbank.org.uk or call 01706 713701 to find out more.

CHATTER & NATTER

Style first met Oldham mum Alex Hoskyn back in March 2017, when she launched her Chatty Cafe Scheme; a new initiative to get people talking and reduce loneliness. Rochdale was one of the first boroughs in the country to host a number of Chatter & Natter tables for its residents to use. Now over 500 cafes and restaurants across the country have signed up, including one of the UK’s most popular coffee chains Costa Coffee.

The idea is that cafes dedicate one of their tables to those on their own looking for someone to chat to. Alex came up with the idea when she was a new mum feeling isolated, craving adult conversation. During a visit to a café, Alex observed an elderly lady sat alone, who appeared fed up. At another table she saw a man with additional needs and his carer both looking equally down. “I thought what a positive impact we could have had on each other if we had all sat together” says Alex. “Sometimes just an interaction with another human can brighten your day”.

Chatter & Natter tables creates a safe environment for people to talk, whether it’s for five minute chat or an hour or so of good conversation.

To find your nearest table go to: www.thechattycafescheme.co.uk

GIVE A CHRISTMAS GIFT

Rochdale Borough Council is seeking donations to this year’s Christmas Toy Appeal, which helps to make sure local children living in poverty have presents to open on December 25th.

The annual appeal is organised by the council’s staff-run ‘Giving Back’ charity. It asks residents and staff to buy one extra present at Christmas – a new, unwrapped gift suitable for a child between 0-16 years-old and simply leave it at any local library across the borough by Wednesday 14 December.

Council staff, who collected a record 2,300 toys last year, will then make sure they reach the borough’s less fortunate children in time for the big day.

Gifts for 0-16 year-olds are all welcome, but especially presents for teenagers that were low in number last year.

For details and opening times of your nearest drop off point visit: www. rochdale.gov.uk/ libraries

HELP TO MAKE A BIG CHANGE

Homelessness rates have risen dramatically across the country, leaving lots of people at risk, especially in cold weather. Big Change Rochdale aims to help vulnerable homeless people get the help they need to get off and stay off the streets.

A group of local charities and organisations have teamed up to create a special fund that will be used to provide people with the practical items they need to build new lives away from the streets. The campaign is urging people who live in, work in and visit Rochdale Town Centre to donate money to the fund rather than give money directly to people who are begging on the streets.

Research suggests giving money to people who are begging does not help to move them away from the streets and address the complicated mix of problems, which may include mental health issues and drug and alcohol addiction. By giving them money, you are making it easier for them to continue to live on the streets and may be discouraging them from accessing the many support services that are out there.

The fund will help provide accommodation and support people to manage a tenancy agreement, furnish a new home, manage income and expenditure, and build a positive productive life in the community away from the streets.

You can donate at www.bigchangerochdale.co.uk.

DECLUTTER & DONATE!

It’s almost the start of a new year and the perfect time to have a clear out of any old or unwanted items. But don’t just ditch them! Drop them off at one of the many local charity shops such as Springhill Hospice, Rochdale RSPCA or Petrus, who can use them to raise much-needed funds.