Janet the financial champion of good causes

Janet Maloney

A funding officer who has helped hundreds of voluntary groups access vital revenue has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

Although Janet Maloney’s role as a funding and development officer for Voluntary Action Oldham (VAO) has come to an end, her experience and talent will continue to be put to good use.

She is preparing to start a new job as regional development manager for the North of England for the National Family Mediation Service.

Janet (53), from Greenfield, has lived and worked in Oldham all her life and has been involved with charities for more than 30 years — working for VAO for 13 years.

She helped groups from small organisations to large charities to put together strong bids to access cash ranging from modest grants to big pots of European funding.

She was nominated by Susan Hunt, from Oldham, who used to work in the voluntary sector and set up the successful Kickstart project with Janet.

She said: “Janet’s worked really hard. She feels really passionate about what she does and does so much to make a really special job.

“I don’t know how much money she has brought in to Oldham but for voluntary groups with no idea of how to get funding she has been fantastic. Tonnes of groups in Oldham have benefited. She is inspirational.

“It’s a shame that Oldham won’t have her any more. She will be hard to replace because she’s quite unique.”

Funding is no longer available for Janet’s post, but while she is sad to leave she is looking forward to the next challenge, and will also be doing freelance funding training and consultancy.

She said: “It seems very strange that the role is coming to an end. It does not mean that the need is not there. It’s just the way of things, funding is very precious.

“It’s enriched my life. It’s just been the most fascinating and rewarding job and I have made a lot of genuine friends. I’m really excited about the new job. It’s a big challenge and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Honoured

Janet paid tribute to other Pride nominees and charity volunteers.

She said: “I’m really thrilled and honoured to be nominated. I know the awards carry a lot of prestige in the town and are exceptionally well regarded.

“I have followed the competition previously and I think it’s great that a light is shone on Oldham people who do what they do with such dedication and on what’s being done in this town.

“There’s some amazing people that work in Oldham, especially in the charity sector.

“I have had a paid role but some of the groups I have supported are staffed by ordinary people who don’t get paid.

“They believe in it and want to make a difference. This is what makes the town tick. Without them we would be so much worse off.”