Contents:
- Editor's welcome
- Paul Waugh: From Rochdale to Westminster
- Rachel Winnard: One in Two Million
- Rochdale Sixth Form College wins at prestigious Further Education awards
- Rev Mark Coleman
- Baillie Street Quarter
- Touchstones reopens with new exhibitions
- Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum
- Highlights of a Mayoral Year
- Fancy dress posties raise £1,700 for MIND
- John Swinden’s Captain Tom 100 challenge
- Littleborough’s Tackling Minds to become first organisation to work with NHS in prescribing angling
- Keith Hicks retires after 33 years of service at RAFC
- Bid for local digital radio signal
- Carpet Creations celebrates 25 years in business
- Help fill Springhill’s gardens with sunflowers in memory of your loved ones
- Local author reminisces about Rochdale high streets in the 80s and 90s in new book
- After the storm, the healthy hazy days of summer
- Rochdale Heartbeat honoured with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service »
- Ian Jenkins: Forty Years of Making Music
- Hairdressing Trend - Babylights
- Lasting Power of Attorney
- Cupcakes recipe
- Brown’s Cakes celebrates 10 years
- Beauty Feature: Coming back strong after lockdown
- Take a walk at Ealees
Summer 2021Rochdale Heartbeat honoured with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Voluntary group Rochdale Heartbeat has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award a group can receive in the UK.
Rochdale Heartbeat provides a supported programme for heart patients after their discharge from NHS care, including a weekly gentle exercise programme, availability of professionals to discuss any worries and the opportunity to meet other patients who have undergone similar heart procedures.
It was founded in 1988 and became a charity in 1990, organising social evenings, healthy lifestyle events, relevant interesting speakers and fundraising events.
Commonly known as the MBE for volunteer groups, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Rochdale Heartbeat will receive its award later in the summer from the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and then two members of the group will be invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2022.
Since inception, Rochdale Heartbeat has raised over £350,000 and has donated various items of medical equipment to both Royal Oldham and Fairfield hospitals, as well as donating 42 defibrillators to local sports venues, gyms, community halls and churches.
Outside the organised classes, support is offered to patients, whether they are still in hospital, attending outpatient clinics or back home in the community. This support is offered by a variety of people, including those who are medically qualified, those who have experienced heart complaints and their attendant problems and others, who in some way can offer relevant help and support.
Heartbeat also holds a fortnightly exercise and support group, which has had to be suspended due to Covid, and they visit the patients in the Silver Heart unit at Fairfield every week. This too has been put on hold for the time being.
A representative from Rochdale Heartbeat said: “We are delighted that the group’s work to support the heart patients of Rochdale and beyond has been recognised.
“We thank each and every one of our volunteers and supporters for all their hard work, support and commitment."
Sir Warren Smith, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester said: “This award recognises the contribution an organisation makes within its community. It is a rare honour. It is not won easily and it recognises real achievement, effort, and a major contribution to the community.
“The last 16 months have highlighted just how valuable volunteering is to the country, with groups innovatively continuing their valuable work in the community, despite the restrictions and threat of the virus.”