Vintage Worx shows how a grassroots group can lead real local change

Vintage Worx Community Development Trust is a community-led grass-root organisation based in Falinge Park Rochdale.

Operating from run-down and neglected buildings, the group have recently secured a community asset transfer to allow them to seek funding to restore the grade II listed buildings and increase the scope of their work. 

Originally set up in 2006 as a community group in response to the spiralling decline of the neighbourhood and the removal of frontline services. With the single aim of helping people find the support they needed, the group was soon joined by other community members wanting to help others in their community and it wasn’t long before they were delivering employment and training support, self-development sessions, creative opportunities, fitness classes and even supporting start-up businesses with everything delivered by community members using their own skills to help others.

Two of the founding members, Tracie Powers and Samantha Powers, are still there today with the organisation, now recognised for engaging hard-to-reach groups, restoring pride of place, and building sustainable, community-managed solutions. Its impact was formally recognised in 2019 with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Post-COVID, the direction of the organisation changed, again to meet community needs. Instead of a core work surrounding employment and training, the focus became about reducing isolation, improving health and wellbeing and increasing confidence and self-development. On top of this they also had to contend with the rapid deterioration of their community hub and the decline of the park grounds. 

Luckily, they were successful in a few project funding applications enabling them to build and open an Urban Farm where families can grow their own vegetables, they are running wellbeing initiatives, gardening projects, green weekend sessions and are working closely with Mencap to create a facility that is open to every ability. A local resident has also donated funds and helped to create a Garden of Memories where people can remember their loved ones with engraved remembrance leaves set within diamonds of Jasmine.

Speaking to Roch Valley Radio, Samantha says;

The environmental projects are hugely popular across every age group; people like to get out and about in the fresh air, and it’s a lovely way to meet your neighbours and make new friends. It's also lovely that many residents come to the park to take part in a project and then become a volunteer helping to restore the park, or even start their own project. The thing about Vintage is everyone is always welcome, but more importantly, there is always cake

The current condition of the buildings means many indoor activities are on hold until the group secure funds to restore the beautiful Georgian buildings of Falinge Park, including the magnificent façade of Mount Falinge, once home to the influential Royds Family, but the outdoor projects are proving very successful.   

• Garden of Memories celebrating lost loved ones
• Garden of Memories, a dedication to Jane Woolfenden
• Grounds an bulding - more maintanance needed
• More buildings in need of repairs
• One of the buildings that need maintanance
• The Garden of Memories
• Steven and Helen at the Memorial Garden
• The Crew f.l.t.r. Mel, Helen, Jo, Aidy, Wendy, Kendra, Tracie, Paul, Sam & Steve
• The Hub - showing the level of maintanance needed
• The Urban Farm
• Vegetable Patch in the Urban Community Farm
• Vintage Worx Crew and contact details

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Credit: Vee Makin / Roch Valley Radio

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Looking ahead, Vintage Worx has ambitious, community-driven plans to restore the park and make it the heart of the community these include a café, outdoor gym, bespoke community facilities and improved play and nature-discovery areas, they are working alongside heritage experts to ensure long-term financial and environmental sustainability should they be fortunate to secure the funding needed to do this and have just completed a two-year Sustainability and Viability Report funded by the Architectural Heritage Fund.

Maintaining and restoring the park’s 27 acres and historic structures will require significant investment, with £1.5 million needed for essential repairs and development. Supported by local Councillors Tricia Ayrton and Shah Wazir, Vintage Worx are about to submit major funding applications, are putting together a crowdfunding project and are designing new income stream opportunities alongside ongoing community fundraising through events such as the Plant Fair, Classic Car & Bike Show and Annual Apple Fest.

At its heart, Vintage Worx remains what it has always been: local people, leading local change, protecting a historic park while strengthening the community it serves. It would not be what it is today, without the volunteers who work tirelessly to help others progress in life.