Rochdale 'Prison Me! No Way!' awarded £25,000

Ruth Sillence (RBH), Nicky Morris (RBH), Jim Battle (Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner) and Fida Hussain (RBH) with the presentation cheque

Young people across Rochdale borough will continue to benefit from the 'Prison Me! No Way!' educational events following a £25,000 grant award to RBH and The No Way Trust Ltd from Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd.

Prison Me! No-Way! is a national educational charity with a core aim of raising awareness among young people about the causes, consequences and penalties of crime.

In Rochdale the programme has been delivered in partnership with RBH since 2009. The new grant, provided by Tony Lloyd’s Youth Aspiration Fund, will enable the programme to continue for the next two years.

The award was announced on Wednesday 14 October at a crime and safety awareness day held for 250 Year 9 pupils at Oulder Hill School in Rochdale. Paul Wilkinson, Chief Executive of the No Way Trust Ltd and Gareth Swarbrick, Chief Executive of RBH, cut a celebratory cake to mark the occasion, and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Jim Battle, was on hand to view some of the activities and to hand over the cheque for £25,000.

Nicky Morris, RBH Community Partnership Manager, said: "We’re extremely grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner for the fantastic and generous grant, and to our friends at ‘Prison Me! No Way!’ and all our partner organisations who have helped us to deliver this programme for so many young people across Rochdale borough. We know that it has made a real difference to the communities we serve."

The funding awarded by the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner is recognition of an exceptional partnership that is making a difference. This charity will be forever grateful for this privileged funding and the support of our colleagues within Rochdale Boroughwide Housing; together we will continue to ensure the very best value and services are provided; and that the greatest benefit possible is generated for the wider community and the young people of Rochdale."