For Generations To Come is a new initiative designed to spark ideas, build connections and support long-term positive change across the borough of Rochdale.
The first step was a gathering at Rochdale Town Hall in May 2025, which was a night of celebration, connection and conversation. It was a moment to recognise what’s already happening in the borough and imagine what could come next.
Since the launch, we’ve been building on that energy in partnership with Our Future, an organisation that supports communities to effect long-term change. We’ve been listening and engaging with people and organisations across the borough of Rochdale to understand the incredible work already happening, as well as the big ambitions that could shape its future.
Over the summer, a series of pop-up events kept the conversation going. One theme emerged again and again: how much we all care about children and young people’s futures. From celebrating and investing in local talent, creating opportunities that inspire and empower young people to thrive, to building a place they want to stay in and can be proud to call home – there was a shared desire to explore these possibilities together.
Let’s Talk About Our Kids
Building on that momentum, the team at Our Future created Let’s Talk About events – a new series of conversations about the future of Rochdale. The first session focused on Our Kids, the children and young people of the borough. Individuals came together, regardless of their professional roles to share experiences, exchange ideas and explore how they could work collectively to create a brighter future.
The event wasn’t a traditional meeting. Participants were invited to think and connect differently. Some embraced their more dramatic personas and entered the glittery red curtain with gusto, others quietly repeated the phrase “Tonight I’m going to be…” reminding all attendees to come as themselves, without the baggage that often comes with our day jobs. Attendees used taskmaster style envelopes and instruction packs to steer the conversation, firstly creating a list of challenges faced by Rochdale’s children, young people, and parents followed by a huge deck of ideas for moving forward.
It was a joy to meet Haseeb, who brought his four-month-old baby, who was good as gold. A reminder that it’s his future Rochdale we’re shaping.Haseeb is keen to attend the follow up event and start to think how some of the ideas might be brought to life.
We also had great feedback from a local resident:
“I thought it a privilege to be invited to the Let’s Talk event at Innavate. The room was full of energy and vibrancy. It brought together an eclectic mix of individuals sharing a common goal of positivity, passion and proactivity. I come at this whole initiative from an educational stance. That said, I live in Rochdale, I have done for over 40 years. I’m proud of where I live, I want to change the town’s narrative, engage, empower and enthuse EVERYONE. The event’s core message was to leave behind your day job, the shackles of conformity and give honest, heartfelt insight into your “wish list.”
My wish list is to continue the momentum, change the narrative, bring back the community, have pride and strive to enable a legacy of change in Rochdale.” – Jackie, local resident
Jet, Operations Director from Our Future said: “You could feel the energy in the room. People were honest, hopeful and ready to make things happen for the next generation. We don’t need to wait for someone else to give permission, the power to make change sits right here in the borough”
What’s Next?
Alongside our work with adults, BeeWell continues to survey young people, with the next data capture taking place in November via local schools. We’re thinking carefully about how to build on their work without impacting busy classrooms.
A follow-up session on Our Kids will be arranged for those who want to stay involved. The next Let’s Talk event will focus on Our Health – we will share more details soon.
Be Part Of What’s Next
To stay involved, hear about upcoming initiatives and keep the ideas flowing, sign up for the For Generations To Come newsletter or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
