Centre promises to be the hub of the community

OPEN for business . . outside the ROC are, from left, Chadderton area manager Simon Shuttleworth, Chief Supt Caroline Ball, Nicola Melvin of Radclyffe School, Insp David Willcocks and Councillor Colin McLaren

A FORMER shop storeroom in Chadderton has been transformed into a community centre.

The ROC (Radclyffe Outreach Centre) in Kent Avenue, Crossley, was officially opened by the head of Oldham police, Chief Supt Caroline Ball.

It is run by a group of community members, volunteers and organisations, and people of all ages can drop in and use the internet, borrow books, get advice or have a cuppa.

As well as numeracy, literacy and IT courses, there are weekly sessions by groups such as Brook, Age Concern, First Choice Homes, Oldham Council, police community support officers, jobcentreplus and Connexions.

It is also home for the new Community Church which will be launched by the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, on October 11.

It is hoped that the first floor will eventually be turned into a meeting room and Chief Supt Ball offered to help with the renovation.

She said: “By the community, for the community. That is what this is about.

“I really think this place is awesome. It puts into practice everything I believe in which is bringing communities together in the way they want.”

The roots of the ROC stem from a dispersal order which ran in parts of Chadderton to stop groups of youths from harassing residents and causing trouble.

The area action team then set up a group to look at long, medium and short-term solutions to the problems.

Radclyffe School is sponsoring the project and runs a parenting programme there as well as the basic skills courses.

Head teacher Hardial Hayer said: “The main driver for it was the school trying to get something in the community. It is in our interests that families are well supported outside school as well.

“It’s fabulous. It’s right at the heart of the community in the shopping precinct so it is easily accessible.”

Chadderton area manager Simon Shuttleworth added: “It provides a focus for the community as Crossley has never really had a community facility of any kind.”