A major climate resilience drive has been launched in Rochdale to help households prepare for heatwaves, floods and other extreme weather events, as Greater Manchester is ranked among the most climate-vulnerable areas in the UK.
Groundwork Greater Manchester’s new Beat the Heat campaign aims to equip residents with the skills, knowledge and confidence to cope with increasingly severe weather patterns. The charity will deliver free educational visits to parks and community centres this summer, offering practical advice on staying cool, hydrated and safe, especially for those most at risk.
The initiative will also introduce Rochdale to Communities Prepared, a two-year national pilot funded by Electricity Northwest. This scheme will work with local councils, voluntary groups and community leaders to improve responses to emergencies linked to climate change, including floods and extreme heat. The first phase aims to reach more than 500 people, with plans to expand across Greater Manchester.
Groundwork will extend its Green Doctor home energy service to cover summer challenges. The programme, which last year saved UK households £4.2 million and cut carbon emissions by 8.5 million kg, will advise residents on retrofitting homes and tackling heat-related health risks in poorly insulated properties.
The charity has worked closely with Rochdale Council in the aftermath of severe weather events, including the Boxing Day floods and the New Year’s Day floods in 2025, which forced nearly 1,000 people from their homes. The Met Office has warned that such extremes are becoming the norm, with projections of 7,000 annual heat-related deaths in the UK by 2050.
Phil Treaton, Strategic Lead for Fuel Poverty, Retrofit & Homes at Groundwork Greater Manchester, said:
“Climate change is no longer just a winter problem — our summers are getting dangerously hot. In Greater Manchester, extreme heat and flooding are already impacting lives. By helping households prepare, especially the most vulnerable, we can reduce harm and build safer, more resilient communities.”
Residents over 65, those with young children, chronic illnesses or certain medical needs are encouraged to sign up to the free Priority Services Register, which provides extra support during utility outages.
Greenmount jumble sale buyer appeals to return unexpected sex toy found in donated bag
New private diagnostic centre opens at Rochdale AFC ground
Romance takes centre stage at The Rock in Bury
Food drive to support FRGS Hub pantry set for Saturday at Bury FC
United Utilities to host online recruitment event as wastewater hiring drive continues
MP visits Heywood engineering academy during National Apprenticeship Week
Rochdale residents urged to shape new grooming gangs inquiry
Half of Rochdale GP practices unite under new integrated federation
Section 60 powers EXTENDED in Chadderton and Oldham after three stabbings
Romance fraud warning after 81 year old woman conned out of £5,000
New youth parliament members elected to represent Rochdale borough
Rochdale Wedding Show to return to town hall in May
Comments
Add a comment