The Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed the recent announcement that the Council will finally back an initiative called Real Change Oldham to support people who are homeless in our Borough. This will mirror the suggestion that he made himself in a question to the Council Leader at a meeting on 13 December 2017.
The Real Change Scheme Oldham, delivered by a coalition of Oldham Council and social partners, will help residents deal with the issues they face day-to-day as they struggle to survive with homelessness.
In December 2017, Councillor Sykes suggested Oldham join Rochdale, Manchester, Bradford and Leeds in becoming a member Council of the Big Change scheme. Real Change Oldham will offer a similar service.
Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “Like Big Change, the basic purpose of Real Change Oldham is to encourage individuals to make charitable donations towards a central pot rather than to giving money to individuals who beg. By doing so, donors can be sure that the money they give will help pay for the essential services that homeless people rely upon to address alcohol, drug and substance misuse, rather than making their problems worse.”
Councillor Sykes added: “The Oldham Liberal Democrats welcome the Real Change scheme in Oldham. By supporting it we can all pitch in together, to help those most in need throughout the borough.”