Bringing Cheer in times of Struggle

The "Credit Crunch Roadshow" has been in Oldham for a whole week, promoting new skills that people can acquire, as well as providing help and advice with benefits and offering basic debt advice to members of the public.

There is a crèche on the bus, stationed in Oldham town centre all week, and face painting for people with children and families.

For people who are facing redundancy, and also for those seeking a change in career, the Roadshow is about providing invaluable support and advice which it is hoped will turn peoples’ lives around.

Sandra, 33, who visited the Roadshow said: "It was brilliant".

She came needing help, and said that she felt better for receiving the help face-to-face.

Sandra had never been down the benefits route before, and until now had found it daunting to go into the Job Centre, but has described the Roadshow as being "really good" in dealing with her concerns.

Julie, 35, visited the Roadshow to see what was on offer and today found out about Lifelong Learning.

In Councilor Howard Sykes’ view this demonstrates what this Roadshow is all about.

"It is about going out to the people and taking the service out to the people".

In his opinion, this roadshow will enable people to "get tips to move forward".

Jane Entwistle, of Highways to Opportunities was present at the show. She described how there had been a 30 per cent increase in demand for the take up of the training opportunities provided by Highways to Opportunities, one of the organisations involved in hosting the Roadshow, since the beginning of the recession.

She said that "people are now upscaling and updating their training," which is a consequence of a corresponding decline in manufacturing industry and advances in technology.

Jonathan, 30, works as part of the team from Oldham Council that is involved in hosting this Roadshow. He highlighted Blue Orchid, one of the many organisations that will be hosting a stall at the Roadshow all week. The Blue Orchid Organisation is he said made up of experts with a whole load of business contacts, to help anyone who would like to start their own business.

Blue Orchid are able to help with things like business plans and so on.

The Citizens’ Advice Bureau are also here all week to offer initial help and advice to members of the community who visit the Roadshow.

Fazal Rahim, Coordinator of the Inter-Faith Forum, visited the Roadshow so that he could pass on the information about the Roadshow to the network of different communities he is in contact with, because he felt that it was not practical for everyone to visit the roadshow.

He said: "The recession had been a difficult period for businesses, which affects us all".

Finally, in Councillor Sykes's own words: " Good stuff is happening in Oldham".

In the coming weeks the "Credit Crunch Roadshow" will be visiting markets and supermarkets in Shaw, Chadderton, Failsworth and Royton. Also, there will be specific events for businesses coming soon.