Page 14 - Real Rochdale Issue 21 Spring 2024

You can also be referred through your local
where Marilyn, Vida and Steve Gough realised
- due to redundancies and furlough - there was
going to be a need for a foodsharing facility in
Whitworth.
Based at 551-552 Market Street, The
Lighthouse runs on an appointment basis on
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with Steve
as front of house. The service operates out
of the old methodist church premises, and is
run in partnership with Thrum Hall Methodist
Church.
If you think you would benefit from the
Whitworth Lighthouse Community Foodshare,
you can refer yourself by calling 07922 951096
or email lighthousefoodshare@gmail.com.
REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2024
doctors’ surgery, school, social services,
dentist, council offices and councillors.
Marilyn continued: “Whatever food we are
given goes to whichever venue is open, then
anything left over is taken to the other. If
there’s still anything remaining then, we donate
it to hostels. Most supermarkets in Rochdale
give us donations and nothing goes in the bin.
“If anything is too far gone for human
consumption, it goes to a man in Bacup for his
animals.”
In 2022, the Soup Kitchen Rochdale’s
volunteers were recognised by the Queen’s
Award for Voluntary Service, and Marilyn says
their zero-waste approach “struck the
assessor.”
“We pride ourselves on nothing going in the
bin. We have a magic army of volunteers who
pick up donations from the supermarkets and
they don’t ask for any expenses.
“We are always looking for more volunteers for
both ventures. We need drivers and
volunteers for bag packing and service at the
Soup Kitchen, as well as people to help out at
the Lighthouse.”
Interested in becoming a volunteer at
the Soup Kitchen or Lighthouse?
The Soup Kitchen at Champness Hall,
Great George Street, Rochdale OL16
1PQ is a drop-in service and is open every
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from
12.30pm to 2pm.
The Whitworth Lighthouse Community
Foodshare at 551-553 Market Street,
Whitworth, OL12 8QW is open every
Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 4pm,
and every Saturday between 10am and
3pm.
If you want to get involved as a volunteer
at either organisation, you can contact
Marilyn on 07817 150327.
14
HOPWOOD HALL COLLEGE
OPEN EVENT
th
Thursday 18 April
4.30pm - 6.30pm
Let’s get your future started!
Hopwood Hall College L e t’s ge t y our fu tur e s t art ed!
Hopwood Hall College
& University Centre & University Centre
EXPL
ORE OUR MIDDLETON AND
EXPLORE OUR MIDDLETON AND
ROCHDALE CAMPUSES
ROCHDALE CAMPUSES
Hopwood Hall College 2023 Register at hopwood.ac.uk
& University Centre
Hopwood Hall College and University Centre thriving University Centre.
is holding its first ‘Access All Areas’ Open Event
since being awarded the prestigious Queen’s Furthermore, those aged 19+ can look forward
Anniversary Prize. to exploring a wide range of part-time options
– such as in-person pathways, flexible learning
Hot on the heels of having the highest honour and short online courses.
in further education bestowed upon them, the
college will be throwing open its doors from Then, of course, there are the ever-popular
4:30pm – 6.30pm on Thursday 18 April 2024. apprenticeship training routes that can be
This will give people of all ages the amazing undertaken by anyone aged 16+ and allow
opportunity to experience some of the many people to earn as they learn.
reasons why the college picked up such a
coveted accolade. The ‘Access All Areas’ Open Event takes place
at the college’s campuses in Middleton and
Those in attendance can look forward to Rochdale.
seeing state of the art facilities, as well as
talking to the expert tutors who are skilled at In recent years these campuses have
bringing out the best in every student. undergone multi-million-pound investments to
ensure they continue to have industry-leading
Visitors will be able to explore the full range facilities.
of courses on offer, which, for school leavers,
includes the game-changing new T-Levels, and Just some of the cutting edge teaching spaces
other vocational study options. visitors can explore include the
newly-extended Advanced Technology and
In addition, there is plenty in store for adult Construction Centre, the high-tech media
learners who are looking to gain new skills and editing suites and the contemporary Riverside
boost their career prospects. Salon.
This includes Access and Higher Education To register your attendance for this hotly-
courses, all of which are taught at Hopwood’s anticipated event, please visit hopwood.ac.uk.
15 REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2024