[link removed]

 

[Cllr Shaid Mushtaq, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, with Oldham's first Stepping Forward foster carer Jo]([link removed])

Meet Jo – Oldham's first Stepping Forward foster carer
 
We have launched the pioneering Stepping Forward fostering campaign, an initiative to support children living in residential care to move into loving foster homes.
 
A first for Greater Manchester, it focuses on identifying children in residential settings who could live within a caring family environment and matches them with foster carers who can meet a child’s individual need.
 
Stepping Forward Carers are given specialist training and support and may come from a range of professional backgrounds such as residential work, policing, nursing, youth service and those with foster carer or Staying Put foster care experience, or they may simply be people with a drive to make a positive difference and offering love and stability until a young person is ready to live independently.
 
Jo, Oldham's first Stepping Forward foster carer, was already fostering one child when she was introduced to the idea of welcoming another young person from residential care into her family home. 
 
For the full story click [here.]([link removed])

 

[Grit being loaded by the Winter Maintenance team]

Our gritters have been busy tackling the snow across Oldham 
 
Our teams have been working hard to keep the borough moving safely during snowy and icy conditions. 
 
Cllr Chris Goodwin, Oldham’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “Our team is well prepared and working hard to keep roads safe and moving across the borough in snowy and icy conditions.
 
“We have more than enough grit in stock, with grit bins filled and available in communities throughout the borough, eight gritters ready to deploy, and over 28 fully trained staff working day and night.”
 
We’re closely monitoring weather forecasts and taking proactive action to minimise disruption and protect residents, businesses and road users.
 
Please take extra care when travelling and keep an eye on our updates, as well as regional and national weather reports, for the latest information. 

 

[Cllr Arooj Shah next to a tram stop in Manchester city centre holding a sign reading 'Free bus travel before 9.30am for older and disabled people. 1 March 2026.']

Anytime free travel for older and disabled residents
 
Leader of Oldham Council, Cllr Arooj Shah met with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and leaders from across GM to announce that older and disabled people will be able to travel free on Bee Network buses anytime.
 
The 9.30am restriction on concessionary passes will be permanently removed from Sunday 1 March.
 
All bus and tram fares, including the £2 single fare, will stay frozen until the end of 2026.

 

[PC Ryan Homer and Sgt Graham Craven in Parliament Square]

Meet the police on the beat keeping shoppers and retailers safe this winter
 
Through its Safer Town Centre plan for winter, Oldham Council is working with Greater Manchester Police and other key partners.
 
Sergeant Graham Craven and his officers from the Oldham Town Centre and Retail Crime Team play a major role in Greater Manchester Police's Operation North Star – an initiative to help protect communities focused on criminality including shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
 
Their work includes heading out on foot and engaging with the community.
 
Oldham's winter safety operation is joined by nine Student Police Officers, including PC Ryan Homer who has been on the beat in Oldham for 15 weeks.
 
Sgt Craven said: “We are committed to tackling retail crime, anti-social behaviour, and disorder in Oldham town centre through visible and proactive policing."

 

Save the date for Illuminate
 
Illuminate Light Night returns to Oldham on Saturday 21 February, from 6-9pm.
 
Explore the illuminated townscape of installations, exhibitions and performances by local, national and international light artists across different venues in the town centre.
 
Join us for the annual parade and large scale artworks – including the breathtaking mirrored installation Happy as the Day is Long, complete with a pop-up silent disco.
 
Keep an eye on our pages for more information soon. But for now, save the date.

 

[A person wearing spectacles smiling while seating at a laptop computer with a cup and teapot in front of them]([link removed])

Looking for a new job this new year? Get Oldham Working is here to help 
 
Thinking about a fresh start? Get Oldham Working is our council service helping Oldham residents to find work, training, and wellbeing support.
 
We offer free, personalised help for anyone looking to improve their skills, find a job, or progress in their career. Whether you’re unemployed, returning to work, or already in employment, we are here to support you.

 
We can help you with finding work or changing careers, CVs, job applications and interview preparation, training, courses and skills development, confidence building and wellbeing support and provide support if health or personal circumstances are affecting work.
 
Book an appointment and take the first step towards your goals.
 
Email [email protected] or call 0161 770 4674.
 
For more information click [here.]([link removed])

 

[A group of young people smiling with suitcases in front of an Oldham Council signas they head off on their journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau ]

Listening to the past: Oldham's young people visit Auschwitz-Birkenau
 
Twenty young people from Oldham Council’s Youth Service and Oldham Theatre Workshop Oldham are travelling to Auschwitz-Birkenau as part of the Listen to the Earth project.
 
They’ll learn from history to help make Oldham a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone  

 

[A attractive outdoor scene with green trees and a lake bathed in sunlight]([link removed])

Start 2026 with a step in the right direction
 
Just 30 minutes of walking a day can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 35 per cent, while improving mental wellbeing.
 
From Alexandra Park to Crompton Moor, Daisy Nook, Dovestone Reservoir and so many more, Oldham has a walk for everyone.
 
Find a route and get moving. Visit [www.oldham.gov.uk/letsgoforawalk.]([link removed].)

 

Join Dad Matters for a Walk and Talk at Alexandra Park
 
Tomorrow (Saturday January 10) Dad Matters are holding their monthly relaxed walk from 9.45am-11.30am.
 
It's a great way to connect with others and have a chat about being a dad.
 
You’ll get great advice from our coordinators as well as getting you and your little one some fresh air.
 
Click here to [book.]([link removed])

 

[Cllr Elaine Taylor and Cllr Shaid Mushtaq with Gavin Clarke in one of the alleyways in Hathershaw where he has made an impact on the community]([link removed])

Meet Gavin Clarke — a local legend making a difference where he lives
 
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Cllr Elaine Taylor and ward councillor Cllr Shaid Mushtaq met Gavin in Hathershaw to see the impact of his zero tolerance approach to fly tipping.
 
Since 2018, Gavin has looked after his alley, using cameras to stop fly tipping completely for over two years. With funding and support from Cllr Mushtaq, cameras are now in nine more alleys, transforming the area and showing what community pride can achieve. 
 
Join the movement and help keep Oldham clean by organising a litter pick or getting involved.
 
For more information visit [www.oldham.gov.uk/donttrasholdham.]([link removed].)

 

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