£186,000 for improving lifestyles

OLDHAM has been granted a six-fugure sum so that local communities can get involved in improving their own health.

The £186,000 Department of Health money from its Communities for Health programme will be spent on young and old residents.

The bulk of the grant, £90,000, will be shared among groups bidding for money to improve inter-generational activities, physical activities or sharing their skills for better health.

The bids will be decided by a panel made up of council and NHS representatives.

And £49,700 will be used to support the Failsworth Grassroots Project, which is the development of a community allotment between Rochdale Canal and Marlborough Drive.

The allotment is managed by young people, people with disabilities and offenders, to raise awareness of healthy eating.

A Dragon’s Den style contest will also be organised, costing £17,000, for members of Forum4Age to pitch their ideas.

Forum4Age was set up in 2007 to help people who are over 50 and living in Oldham to get their views across on local services and support.

The ‘dragons’ will be council chief officers and NHS bosses.

And £10,000 will be split into small allocations, maximum £500, in the Health and Happiness Small Grant Fund to support new groups or new activities and promote healthier lifestyles.