Honouring Black History Month

This month, Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, proudly honours Black History Month, a time for us to celebrate the invaluable contributions, culture and history of black communities in Oldham and beyond.

It is a time for us all to reflect on the impact Black heritage has had on our town and to celebrate the strength and diversity that continue to shape our community.

Stretch your legs and grab some fresh air tomorrow at the Walk of Hope

The Walk of Hope in Alexandra Park will give you the opportunity to have a chat with Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind and Action Together and other dedicated professionals about your health and wellbeing, as well as enjoying a walk around one of our most stunning green spaces.

Meet at the Lion's Den at the top of the park from 8.50am.

For more information visit www.oldham.gov.uk/MonthOfHope

Principal Mark Giles seated behind his desk at The Hathershaw College

Meet the principal of the Oldham school that does things differently

Mark Giles is proud to be from Oldham, and has created an environment of 'belonging' where children are happy to learn at The Hathershaw College.

Hathershaw has been working hard to raise attendance to pre-Covid levels, and last year its attendance rate was above the national average.

Read the full story on our website by clicking here.

Three new toilets for people with disabilities are now open in Oldham - boosting accessibility across the borough

Changing Places are fully accessible toilets for people with disabilities and additional needs.

They include an adjustable adult-sized changing bench, an electric hoist system and plenty of space for carers to assist.

Oldham Council has installed Changing Places at Chadderton Town Hall, Failsworth Town Hall and the newly restored Royton Town Hall.

Two more are being built in the town centre - at the Old Library and new market and events space in Spindles. They will open when the two developments complete next year.

Read the full story here and find out more about Changing Places at changing-places.org

Oldham Police are responding to incidents faster and solving more crimes

New figures from Greater Manchester Police show that faster response times, increasing arrests, and solving more crimes are making the borough a safer place.

Oldham is the best performing district for top priority emergency incident response times for 2022/23 to 2023/24. Residential burglaries have reduced by 21.8%, vehicle offences dropped by 20.9% and solved crime rates improved from 2,358 cases to 2,858.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council said: “No one should feel unsafe or live in fear of crime so this news that crime is falling in Oldham will be welcomed by businesses and residents."

For more information visit the GMP website here.

You're invited to the Wildbrook Jamboree

Free family activities will be held tomorrow from 11am - 3pm, such as apple pressing, a pumpkin food workshop, natural craft loom weaving, workshops, stalls, plants and produce.

You can find us at Wildbrook Community Food and Growing Hub, Wildbrook Crescent, Fitton Hill, Oldham OL8 2NT.

Help is available to stop smoking this October

The Stoptober campaign is back, encouraging smokers to stop for the month of October. Because if you quit smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good.

Over 5 million adults in England still smoke, which causes 64,000 deaths a year, and quitting will allow you to start moving better, breathe more easily and leave you with more money.

Stoptober offers free quitting advice and tools including the NHS Quit Smoking app and a Facebook support group.

Visit the Better Health Quit Smoking Website for more information here.

Get your pulse racing with the Halloween Half Marathon

Known as one of the toughest courses in the UK, this 13.1-mile race on Sunday 27 October will take you through stunning countryside and up to Saddleworth before returning to Oldham town centre.

Book your spot now by clicking here.