Community gathers for celebration in Busk area of Chadderton
First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) funded a community celebration in the Busk area of Chadderton to mark a successful series of August events, including litter picks and summer play sessions. The initiative, in partnership with groups like Oldham Play Action Group, Action Together, and the council, aims to foster community pride, deter anti-social behaviour, and build stronger neighbourhood connections. The celebration was attended by local councillor Eliane Taylor and Yuvanis Foundation chief executive Zakir Ahmad, with FCHO pledging continued efforts into autumn and winter to address issues like rough sleeping and drug-related concerns.
Community Celebration Marks Summer of Change in Chadderton’s Busk Area
Residents packed Kempton Way and Newbury Walk Thursday evening for a £500 street party that capped a month-long effort to reclaim the Busk area from litter and anti-social behaviour.
First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) bankrolled the celebration after funding Oldham Play Action Group to run sports, arts and crafts sessions every day in August. The initiative began with a neighbourhood litter pick and grew into a council-backed push to restore pride in the streets between Chadderton’s mills.
Councillor Elaine Taylor joined Zakir Ahmad, chief executive of the local Yuvanis Foundation, at the closing event. “Days like this are a great way to celebrate some real improvements in community spirit in Busk,” said Laura Branthwaite, FCHO director of asset investment delivery. “But the work we are doing in partnership is long-term and about so much more than a clean-up or a single activity. It is about building pride, trust and stronger connections within our neighbourhoods by working together with community groups and residents to create safe, welcoming places to live.”
Ahmad, who still has family in the area, told the crowd: “I grew up in this community and I’m heavily invested in the area. Events like this are important to bring the community together. Neighbours on the same street don’t often know each other in areas like this, so activities and days such as this create a platform to bring people together, make meaningful connections and get children involved with positive activities.”
FCHO’s anti-social-behaviour team will stay on the ground through autumn and winter, tackling rough-sleeping and drug-related concerns that tenants have repeatedly flagged.
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