Funding lifeline boost

FOUR organisations which provide vital services to some of the borough’s most vulnerable people have been thrown a funding lifeline.

As reported in the Oldham Chronicle, Oldham Play Action Group faced possible closure after its grant was stopped by the council.

But it was saved after it was commissioned to run and support activities for children in the borough.

And two other groups which were also hit by the same funding cut have also been commissioned: Anchor Trust’s Staying Put, which helps the elderly and disabled stay in their own homes, and Oldham Personal Advocacy Ltd (OPAL) which works with people with learning disabilities .

Oldham Victim Support, which was also affected, is currently applying for a commission after losing its £14,000 grant.

It has 27 community volunteers and 15 volunteers at Oldham Magistrate’s Court who help victims of crime, and also provides counselling and criminal injuries claim work.

District manager Stephen Critchlow said: “I am putting in an application and I am hoping we will get it.

“If we don’t, I don’t know what will happen. We might have to amalgamate with neighbouring Tameside or Rochdale and that would lessen the Oldham service.

The groups were told they would have their funding stopped from this April after Oldham Council slashed its Priority Programme Funding (PPF) for voluntary, community and religious organisations from £1.8 million to £880,000.

The council is also moving away from the current funding system by combining PPF with area-based grants. It will then commission services, rather than hand out grants, within three main categories: third sector (not for profit and voluntary organisations) infrastructure, legal and advice services, and community development and engagement.

It says this will improve services, avoid duplication and mean better value for money — but the four organisations did not fit into the categories. As a result, the council has been looking at ways that its departments can commission their services.

A fifth organisation affected, Oldham Race Equality Partnership, has had its funding extended until July 31 to give it time to find other income.

Agency manager Paul Mardell from Anchor said: “Anchor Staying Put Oldham provides a range of services to help older and disabled people to remain living safely and independently in their own homes. These include carrying out small repairs and offering access to financial support and advice for large home improvements.

“The support we offer has proven to be invaluable to our customers.

“We are delighted that Oldham Council has taken the decision to continue funding.”

Councillor Rod Blyth, cabinet member for people and communities, said: “We have been working hard over the past few months to provide alternative arr-angements, so that funding for these groups can be maintained.”