Saddleworth comes together to support Mahdlo

It's been a devastating 10 months for many in Oldham thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Mahdlo Youth Zone and its supporters have remained on the front line, helping the borough’s young people and their families.

Saddleworth residents and local businesses rallied together at the end of 2020 to support various Mahdlo initiatives, including the October half term Holiday Hunger campaign, and in December the Shop and Drop at Saddleworth Rangers where donations of food, hygiene supplies and toys and games were collected.

Over 3,500 people benefitted from the generosity shown and in addition, more than £10,000 was donated by the wider Oldham community.

Many families struggling through this time were gifted with everything they needed to ease stress, isolation and create a special Christmas.

Louise Kirwan, who organised the Shop and Drop, said: “When I heard that the families in my town needed help I knew I had to do something.

"With a couple of friends, and the support of Mahdlo, we pulled together the Shop and Drop which had an amazing response and helped so many families.”

Opened in 2012 Mahdlo, a registered charity, provides young people from age 8-19 (up to 25 with a disability) with a range of activities to encourage them to use their leisure time positively and more crucially, targeted support services such as employability skills development, mentoring and counselling.

During the pandemic, Mahdlo has been quick to respond and adapt its delivery model through providing remote support via one-to-one, group video calls and activities, telephone check-ins and a host of other outreach services across the borough.

Lucy Lees, interim CEO at Mahdlo, said: "Sometimes we were the first point of call during extraordinary and devastating circumstances.

"Over the past couple of months, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the support needed by young people and their families.

"I’m incredibly proud of the Mahdlo team and how they’ve stepped up to meet the needs of Oldham’s community.

"We are always here for young people and their families.”

Local organisations Saddleworth Rotary Club, Oldham Metro Rotary Club, Saddleworth Round Table and Dovestone Womens Institute have come together to join Louise’s efforts throughout 2021 in helping provide valuable resources and vital funding for the charity, which has been impacted by Covid and the proposed significant cuts to its funding from Oldham Council.

The next Shop and Drop will be taking place on Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7, 10am-3pm, at Saddleworth Rangers, where the collective are asking local residents to support with donations of food including rice, pasta, tinned fish and vegetables, boxed cereal, and home-schooling accessories, and boredom busters, such as art and craft supplies, colouring and puzzle books, note pads and pens.

All donations will be used to supply up to 100 families a week until the end of March, along with welfare packs containing healthy meal recipes and ingredients, activities to help with boredom and extra support for young people to complete their schoolwork remotely.

Louise added: “I’m so proud to be working with such well-established and respected organisations that provide this support for our community.

"Mahdlo were inundated with requests for hampers at Christmas time and I fear that this demand will only increase.

"Not all young people referred are entitled to free school meals and miss out on the additional support that is available.”

To find out more about Mahdlo and how you can get involved, contact the team by emailing: events@mahdloyz.org or calling 07894 243125.

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