A right royal ‘well done’ for caring charity
ACHARITY that works to provide support and promote community integration in the borough has been commended for its work by the Queen’s representative in Greater Manchester.
Caring and Sharing is a charity organisation that has distributed food parcels and made welfare calls to residents in need from across the borough’s diverse community during lockdown.
CEO Nicky Iginla received the letter from Sir Warren Smith, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, last Saturday (June 6) and said it was a ‘huge surprise’ to be recognised for the charity’s work.
She said: “I really didn’t expect it because I didn’t think we were deserving of something like this.
“I was so happy to receive the letter - it really boosted my morale to do more, especially now that know we need to bring more services to our community.”
She added: “I think it’s great that they see what we are doing in the community and they want to encourage us to do more.”
Nicky said the letter credited the charity’s work as being among ‘many heartwarming stories of people coming together to help others’ during lockdown, which had made a ‘great difference’ to the local community, and Sir Warren conveyed his thanks to Nicky and the charity’s volunteers on behalf of the Queen.
Councillor Janet Emsley, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, communities and culture, took to Twitter to praise the commendation, saying it was ‘deserved and appreciated.’
Prior to lockdown, Caring and Sharing staff and volunteers - who represent 14 nationalities between them - organised regular coffee mornings at St Chad’s and St Mary’s in the Baum churches, education sessions and a youth club to promote community integration and offer support and skills training to BAME people, asylum seekers and disadvantaged people in Rochdale, Oldham and other areas of Greater Manchester.
Since lockdown they have continued to provide some of their regular sessions over Zoom, whilst also delivering food packages and medicine to those in need, holding regular phone calls with those isolated during lockdown, and helping provide residents with extra help and support.
Nicky said: “A lot of people are very lonely right now, especially refugees who are completely on their own.
“We also have some situations with families where a husband and wife are not normally at home together all the time, and women are calling us to say they are being beaten.
“We offer help when we can but we will also refer people on to the right organisation if they need more help.”
The charity also receives referrals from partners including Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Mind and Manchester’s Caribbean and African Health Network.
Nicky said: “I have a motto, which is that we bring nothing into this world and we leave with nothing - so try to make a positive difference to the world while you’re here.”