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Kim Ho, special projects coordinator at HMR
Circle, said: “A lot of our members rely on the
support they get from our practical service;
knowing that the fear of rogue traders is removed
by using our service means people get jobs done
which previously had been left.”

With the demise of the Council for Voluntary
Service in Rochdale (CVS), HMR Circle was
approached to take over the management for the
Volunteer Drivers Service (VDS).
2018 was an incredible year for Heywood,
Middleton & Rochdale Circle, a not-for-profit The entire HMR Circle team, along with Mary
social enterprise based in Rochdale, marked with Burke, who joined the Circle team as the VDS
record breaking numbers across all the services coordinator after previously performing the role at
‘HMR Circle’ provides. New services and CVS, supported by volunteers, had the VDS up and
partnerships were added and visitors from near running with less than two hours disruption.
and far came to see the work HMR Circle does.
The VDS takes older people and vulnerable adults
One of the major landmarks was in November to hospital and doctors appointments, day services
when HMR Circle took its 30,000th social booking or to social events. It is a valuable service which
since launching six years ago. relieves a huge burden on statutory services and
helps ensure people are able to attend
As a mark of how far the organisation has grown, appointments and get the necessary treatment and
180 people attended the Circle Christmas party in support they need.
2018, back in 2012 it was just four.
Since HMR Circle took on the VDS, membership of
HMR Circle has gone on to organise over 2,000 the service has increased by 37%, with an average
different activities and events, ranging from meet- of over 1,500 requests taken every month. HMR Circle and Professor Spinelli are working on Other work is also ongoing with RBH to support
ing up for a coffee, going out for meals, quizzes, developing the next phase and it is hoped that older tenants and residents living in RBH
walks, and talks, all suggested by the members. During 2018 HMR Circle completed an initial pilot further funding will be secured in the near future. neighbourhoods.
working with an organisation called ‘Give & Take
Nothing has been off limits with members hot air Care’ based at Brunel University. All this successful work has created waves both With the launch of a ‘Chatter Table’ at Morrisons
ballooning across the Lake District, abseiling down nationally and internationally. Supermarket in Rochdale, working with Living Well,
Rochdale Town Hall tower and segway driving. The ‘Give & Take Care’ scheme was the brainchild people visiting the Morrisons cafe are welcome
of the late Professor Heinz Wolff and his colleague HMR Circle hosted two delegations from South to join HMR Circle staff and volunteers for a chat
Leanne Chorlton, operations manager at HMR Professor Gabriella Spinelli. Korea at the end of 2018, with a film crew from whilst taking a break from shopping.
Circle, said: “2018 has been an incredible year, and KBS, the Korean equivalent of the BBC, filming a
thanks have to go to our members and volunteers HMR Circle was one of a group of pilot areas documentary about HMR Circle and how an ageing Mark Wynn, director at HMR Circle, said: “The
who help make HMR Circle the success it is.” selected to test this new form of befriending and population in South Korea could be supported. entire team at HMR Circle are incredibly proud of

reward system for volunteers. HMR Circle, what we have achieved in the last 12 months and
Circle also provides a practical service which helps performed well above all the other pilot areas, HMR Circle will be expanding into different areas we are excited by what is developing for 2019.
with life’s awkward jobs, especially those that older with 41 people supported and over 700 hours of across the UK, thanks to a strategic partnership
people struggle to get someone out to do. Every support being delivered. with Wellbeing Teams, an organisation headed up “New initiatives, expansion and improvements
day HMR Circle has ‘helpers’ out doing jobs for by Helen Sanderson. means that we will continue to be a stellar service
older people, such as cleaning, gardening, for our members and hopefully something the
decorating, moving boxes and changing light bulbs, A Locally, HMR Circle is working closely with entire town can be proud of as we set new stand-
at an affordable, discounted rate. Rochdale Boroughwide Housing on a social eating ards in the sector both nationally and beyond.”
Real Rochdale programme, aimed at getting socially isolated older
The practical service completed over 5,000 jobs, - people out and about and enjoying food-based For more information contact the HMR Circle
over 10,000 hours of help and support - delivered Success Story activities with friends and neighbours. office on 01706 751165 or visit the HMR Circle
by DBS checked, trained staff and volunteers. website at: www.hmrcircle.org.uk

REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2019 6 7 REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2019