Trumpeting voluntary

THE value of Oldham’s 1,110 voluntary and community groups has been recorded in a new report on their social and economic impact on the borough.

The report, by the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University, revealed the groups’ collective income in 2011-12 was £56 million.

Around 25,500 people volunteered and each week 79,000 volunteering hours were logged — a contribution valued at another £71 million.

Ian Wilson from the CRESR said: “Our report highlights many impressive markers of the sector’s economic and social impact.”

Liz Windsor-Welsh, chief executive of Voluntary Action Oldham said: “In difficult times the importance of local groups comes into focus. The research reminds us how more than 1,100 groups — and the efforts of 25,000 volunteers –— provide essential support to Oldham’s communities.”

But she warned that the economy is taking its toll: “The funding situation is difficult for many of these groups and this reinforces the need for campaign to make it easier to give locally — in cash, in kind and time.”