Thousands in Jigsaw Foundation funding available for community projects across Oldham

Pictured are Sarah Keenan (left), the Jigsaw Foundation Rewards Manager, Julie McGlynn (middle), the Jigsaw Homes Neighbourhood Engagement Officer and Samana Hussain (right), the Jigsaw Homes Neighbourhood Engagement Administration Officer

A share of a £450,000 community fund is now available for local residents, groups and charities across Oldham to bid towards and make a difference to lives within their communities.

The Jigsaw Foundation fund was set up in 2019 by housing provider Jigsaw Homes Group, which manages 35,000 homes across the North West and East Midlands.

Applications from resident groups, local or charity projects, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and partner agencies are welcome now via the Jigsaw Foundation website.

From 2021 to 2022, the Jigsaw Foundation supported projects across Greater Manchester by funding:

·         £26,180 to Talk Listen Change to provide counselling to 50 Jigsaw residents and make sure they have access to the most appropriate services to  give them support and improve their mental health.

·         £37,487 to Active Communities Networks to deliver free to attend weekly sport sessions lead by trained youth workers to engage 8-14 year olds within Jigsaw communities.

Jigsaw residents can also vote on where they would like some of the money to be spent through Jigsaw Homes’ Rewards programme.

Since 2019 the fund has supported a plethora of projects including foodbanks, local theatres, befriending services, community gardens, youth clubs, school workshops, sports activities, food banks, community centres and social enterprise start-ups.

Sarah Keenan, Jigsaw Foundation Rewards manager, said: “The Jigsaw Foundation has often been a lifeline to residents in our communities who need an extra helping hand when it comes to support.

"We want to continue to invest in people’s lives by aiding the projects that they put forward and make a positive impact in their communities and surrounding neighbourhoods.

"We still have several thousands to award successful applicants so I would urge anyone who might be interested and eligible to apply.”  

For further information and to find out how to apply, click here

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