Over the past year the team have been getting to know people across Rochdale, listening to what matters most and rallying individuals to get involved. The same names kept coming up – not as a formal network or leadership group, but because their communities consistently pointed to them as champions already doing great work across the borough. Our Future, a charity that exists to help people create long term change in the places they live, brought some of those people together for a Rochdale Offsite at Wortley Hall.
Bringing People Together
It wasn’t a workshop, conference or strategy session, it was space and time out from the day-to-day for people to meet and connect together as individuals. This was an early gathering of those interested in joining the For Generations To Come movement. Over time this group of Future Builders will grow and we will see what happens when people who care about a place come together around a common goal.
There is so much great work already happening in Rochdale, but often we hear of people feeling isolated while doing this work. For Generations To Come is about enabling likeminded people and organisations to connect, listen, build trust and ultimately come together to shape the place they care about. The purpose of the Offsite was to make space for relationships to form, because without trust and connection, progress is often short lived. This was about new ways of thinking, building new collaborations and forming new ideas, together
Three Days That Felt Different
“What stood out was how quickly people moved from introductions to real conversations about Rochdale. There’s something powerful when you give people time and space to do that properly – and the exciting thing is, this is only the start!.” – Ben Robinson, Place Lead, Our Future
Rather than formal presentations, the Offsite created space for openness and honesty. Cameron Ogden shared his family’s experiences around education and opportunity, and how that shaped his own sense of responsibility and contribution.
He also reflected on community institutions such as Rochdale A.F.C and the Community Trust – and what it means when places that matter deeply to people are shaped with them, not just for them.
At the centre of what he shared was the idea that meaningful change does not sit with any one person or organisation. It comes from people working together, bringing different things such as time, trust, knowledge, experience and resources – and combining them in a collective effort.
“I fundamentally believe the best future for Rochdale will be shaped by the people and organisations who care deeply about it, and who are ready to explore new possibilities together. No one person can do this alone. It only works as a collective effort.” – Cameron Ogden, Co-Chairman, Rochdale AFC
David and Katherine from The Relationships Project explored how relationships are built and sustained when change is complex and long-term. Jose Davies Marketing brought a focus on storytelling, sharing the importance of lived experience in shaping how places understand themselves and highlighting the power of stories when shaping the future of a place.
Matt and Cathryn from Key Fund, Mark from Manvers Lake, and Deborah from Grimm & Co each contributed their own perspectives, grounded in different kinds of practice and place, adding further depth to the Offsite conversations.
“I left the offsite feeling grateful, emotional, hopeful and energised. Rochdale faces real challenges, but it is also full of care, talent, creativity and determination” – Rochdale – Mohammed (Attaur) Rahman, Founder Chief Executive Director, Rochdale Science Initiative.
There were no fixed answers. Just space to think together, and to make sense of what it takes to work differently. Relationships are so key to creating long lasting, impactful change, and bringing this initial group together was an exciting step in a 10 year vision for Rochdale.
An Open Invitation
This is just the beginning and the opportunity belongs to everyone who cares about Rochdale. It’s a movement that isn’t held in one room, led by one person, or owned by any single organisation. It grows through participation – whether that’s sharing an idea, connecting with others, or simply staying close to what’s emerging.
How to get involved
Join the borough-wide conversation this summer A wider conversation is coming this summer to imagine a better future for Rochdale together. More information will be shared soon on the For Generations To Come website.
Join the Home Wins Network For people with roots in Rochdale, wherever they are living now. A space to connect with others who care about the borough, share ideas and help open doors for people driving change locally. Join Rochdale Home Wins
Share great things happening across Rochdale There’s brilliant work happening every day across the borough from community projects and local businesses, to arts, culture, nature and more. We would love to help shine a light on it. Tell us about it
Stay connected Sign up to the For Generations To Come newsletter for updates as this work continues to grow.
There are many ways to be part of what’s emerging across Rochdale – whether or not you were at Offsite. The opportunity belongs to everyone who cares about the borough, and participation can start simply by joining the conversation, sharing an idea or staying connected.
More photos to be uploaded shortly, keep an eye out!
