Community spirit in full force thanks to army of volunteers

Pictured are volunteers who support The Salvation Army hub in Fitton Hill

A church and charity is celebrating the Oldham community spirit thanks to the support it receives throughout the year from a team of volunteers.  

The Salvation Army in Fitton Hill, located on Fir Tree Lane Precinct, has 12 volunteers providing support and has seen an increase in the need for helpers recently following the rise in inflation and the soaring energy prices crisis with more people from the community seeking help and being pushed into poverty.  

Kim Rogers, family worker at The Salvation Army in Fitton Hill, said: “Volunteers form a very special part of our church and our programme and we’re so thankful to all of them.

"The support they provide is fantastic and we simply couldn’t continue to do our work within the community without them and we have an endless amount of gratitude for what they do. 

“Volunteering isn’t just about helping out; it is about being an active and integral part of an organisation.

"Our volunteers bring ideas that inspire and challenge us to be better, making a real difference to everyone and allowing us to support more people in Oldham.”  

In the last year, the volunteers have provided over 3,000 hours of free support across a range of activities, including school holiday support groups, parent and toddler sessions, an over 50s group, dads and lads club and even a Christmas Grotto with over 8,000 members of the local community having been helped.  

Emma, 40, from Oldham, has four children and has been volunteering with The Salvation Army in Fitton Hill for the past six months.

She said: “I’ve not been able to work for many years as my son is disabled and requires a lot of care.

"I attend various appointments for him on a weekly basis so it is not possible for me to work. 

“Being able to volunteer in my spare time gives me a purpose to help, to meet new people and have an opportunity to do any courses that are available whilst also being fun and enjoyable and making a bit of a difference.

"It has changed my days for the better and given me more confidence and I am proud to be part of the Salvation Army family.” 

Anyone wishing to offer their time to volunteer or looking for more information should call the church directly on 0161 628 6808 or by emailing: oldham.fittonhill@salvationarmy.org.uk

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