‘Mahdlo is a chance to invest in future’

Oldham President of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Chief Executive of Web Applications UK.

I recently found myself at the Bolton Lads’ and Girls’ Club, looking at the facility Oldham’s Mahdlo hopes to emulate.

I had been invited for a tour of the club by Claire Crossfield, who is part of the team building the new youth zone facility in the heart of Oldham. Mahdlo is based on the work pioneered by the Bolton Lads’ and Girls’ Club and aims to create a central place where young people can meet and mingle.

Having just received another depressing report on my desk regarding the economic prospects for the borough, it might seem strange that I want to talk about Mahdlo, but I cannot think of anything more important.

Mahdlo is a great example of what I talked about in my last column — an opportunity for the Oldham business community to invest in the long-term future economic prospects of the borough.

And I do mean opportunity.

I am not blind to the difficulties faced by our businesses, indeed these can often be summed up in one word — cash — but not all investment is financial.

Mahdlo presents a real opportunity for staff development as you can encourage your staff to take part in volunteering as mentors and supporters of the many activities that are planned to be on offer.

Mahdlo is interested in signing up volunteers this winter to help run the facility, specifically in the areas of youth work, arts, sports and mentoring.

There is a real chance here for improving recruitment as you promote career choices through job clubs and offer apprenticeships and internships, as well as improving attainment through homework clubs and improved facilities for schools.

Mahdlo also encourages staff retention as working parents can take advantage of the holiday clubs on offer which will look after children during school holidays — giving them structured activities in a safe environment for ridiculously low costs.

There is scope for town-centre renovation as we engage young people more effectively and attract more people to the borough — some youths travel to Bolton regularly from as far afield as Liverpool to attend the club there.

Even the name anticipates change in Oldham, as Mahdlo represents turning Oldham on its head.

As construction moves on a pace and the opening is scheduled for the end of this year, this has to be one of the more attractive opportunities for local businesses to be getting involved in.

I encourage you to contact Claire and start investing in your future.

Get in touch with Claire, from On Side Northwest, about available opportunities at claire.crossfield@onsidenorthwest.org .