More than £4.5 million in capital funding has been awarded to community organisations across Oldham through the Community Regeneration Partnership Capital Grants. The investment will support upgrades to buildings, parks, sports facilities, community centres, churches and green spaces, aiming to improve accessibility, safety and inclusivity. Leader of Oldham Council Arooj Shah announced the grants at an awards event at Chadderton Town Hall on Thursday, March 26. Shah praised community groups as 'the backbone of our borough' and said the funding will help them grow and reach more residents.
The Alt neighbourhood in Oldham has been selected as one of 40 new areas to join the UK government's Pride in Place scheme, receiving up to £20 million over the next decade. The funding will support locally-led projects shaped by residents rather than government-imposed decisions. Communities Secretary Steve Reed announced the initiative, which now covers 284 communities across the UK. Oldham Council leader Cllr Arooj Shah welcomed the investment as a 'huge vote of confidence' in the borough, emphasizing that projects will be shaped by those who know the area best - local residents. The funding aims to create places people are proud to call home and give residents greater control over their area's future.
Mossley SOUP's 20th event at Emmaus Mossley attracted over 180 residents who paid £5 each for soup, music and voting rights on local projects. The gathering raised a record £2,187, all awarded to Mossley Hollins High School's 'Wellbeing Room' project presented by student Thea Smith-Heeley. Three runners-up received £100 each from sponsor Premier Kia. Fifteen local businesses and residents donated ingredients, raffle prizes and cakes, while Mossley Town Council and Emmaus Mossley each contributed £250. The next themed SOUP is scheduled for 19 February 2026.