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The contents of a food parcel received by one local resident on Monday

Local residents share images of their government food packages

Recipients of government food boxes have been in touch with Rochdale Online, sharing their photos of the packages received.

Date Published 31/03/2020

BMI Highfield Hospital to support NHS

BMI Healthcare, which operates Highfield Hospital in Rochdale, has agreed a formal partnership with NHS England to support the national effort to tackle coronavirus by offering...

Date Published 31/03/2020

New policing powers are now in force

The government has bought in a new health protection bill which contains new powers for the police to help manage the spread of the coronavirus.

Date Published 31/03/2020

Lottery win for Littleborough neighbours

Four�people in Littleborough are celebrating today after winning �1,000 each thanks to their lucky postcode.

Date Published 31/03/2020

UK pledges �544 million to find coronavirus vaccine

The UK government has pledged an additional �210 million of support to accelerate work to find a coronavirus vaccine, in an announcement following a virtual summit of G20 leaders.

Date Published 31/03/2020

Flush warning for loo roll alternatives

Shoppers looking for loo roll alternatives during the coronavirus situation are being warned to think twice before flushing them away after use.

Date Published 31/03/2020

Local councillors write to JD Sports with concerns about conditions for staff in Rochdale warehouse

Local councillor John Blundell, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Business, Skills and Employment and his colleagues in Smallbridge & Firgrove ward and Kingsway ward (Councillor...

Date Published 31/03/2020

Local DJ raises �16k during 24 hour online party

Local DJ Zac Caulcutt hosted a 24-hour livestream over the weekend to raise funds for the elderly and vulnerable in Milnrow and Newhey during the current pandemic.
Over 63,000...

Date Published 30/03/2020

Community hubs set up to support most vulnerable in coronavirus fight

Four new hubs have been set up across Rochdale to support the most vulnerable members of the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Date Published 27/03/2020

Coronavirus: the local companies offering takeaway and delivery services

Last updated 5pm Saturday 28 March. As the country goes into self-isolation, Rochdale Online has rounded up which local businesses are offering delivery and takeaway services to...

Date Published 23/03/2020

First coronavirus food parcels for most vulnerable leave a bad taste in the mouth

The council is taking steps to improve the quality of the government food parcels for people most at risk from coronavirus after the first batch arrived in the borough.

Date Published 30/03/2020

Rochdale teaching assistant reads story she wrote to help children understand social distancing

Rochdale teaching assistant Miranda Webber has written a story to help children understand social distancing.

Date Published 30/03/2020

Government cracks down on spread of false coronavirus information online

Specialist units across government are working at pace to combat false and misleading narratives about coronavirus, ensuring the public has the right information to protect...

Date Published 30/03/2020

Prime Minister will write to nation with coronavirus guidance

The Prime Minister will write to every UK household to urge them to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
A letter from the Prime Minister will land on the doorsteps of...

Date Published 30/03/2020

16-year-old stabbed during robbery in Middleton

Police are appealing to the public for information after two teenage boys were robbed on Sedgley Street on the evening of Sunday 22 March 2020.

Date Published 30/03/2020

Government advice issued on apprenticeships

As part of the cross-government efforts to respond to the impact of coronavirus, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is implementing new measures, for the duration of...

Date Published 29/03/2020

Local hairdressing academy wins prestigious award

A Rochdale hairdressing academy has won the Training Academy of the Year Award at the recent English Hair and Beauty Awards.
Over 600 businesses from across the UK attended the...

Date Published 29/03/2020

Hopwood Hall students publish fitness videos

Hopwood Hall College is releasing daily student workout videos in order to promote the continued health and wellbeing of their learners during the coronavirus pandemic.

Date Published 29/03/2020

Watch out for wildlife

People feeling isolated, trapped in their homes by the coronavirus, can join a community which will benefit wildlife now and for future generations.

Date Published 29/03/2020

Clocks go forward tomorrow

Don�t forget to set your clocks forward by one hour tomorrow (Sunday 29�March).
The change will officially take place at 1.00am so it is advised that you change your clocks...

Date Published 28/03/2020

Rochdale woman is face of national ovarian cancer campaign

A Rochdale woman is raising awareness of ovarian cancer this March as part of Target Ovarian Cancer�s national campaign � �It�s time to TAKE OVAR�.
March is Ovarian Cancer...

Date Published 28/03/2020

Dance teacher spreads sunny gifts to students

A local dance teacher has spread some joy by gifting her students an unusual present whilst her dance studio is closed.
In an unusual act, Gemma Singleton, principal of...

Date Published 28/03/2020

Specsavers to stay open for essential care

The Rochdale town centre Specsavers store has suspended all routine sight testing for the foreseeable future to focus on essential and urgent care only.

Date Published 28/03/2020

Coronavirus: blood donors needed more than ever

Blood donors are being urged continue giving blood during the coronavirus pandemic.
If you have checked the coronavirus advice and are able to donate, there is no reason to...

Date Published 28/03/2020

Subway surprise staff at Rochdale Infirmary

Staff at Rochdale Infirmary were left pleasantly surprised on Monday night (23 March) as the local Subway donated footlong sandwiches and boxes of salads for all the nurses,...

Date Published 28/03/2020

Thieves break window of pharmacist�s car to steal hand gel

A GP has slammed �selfish� thieves who smashed a health worker�s car window forcing them to miss work � all to steal one bottle of hand sanitiser.

Date Published 27/03/2020

Rochdale residents may not have to pay council tax until July

A number of councils across Greater Manchester, including Rochdale, are preparing to defer their tax bill for the 2020/21 year until this summer to help residents struggling with...

Date Published 27/03/2020

Firefighters urge residents to be safe at home

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is urging people to make sure they are keeping themselves and their families safe at home following the outbreak of coronavirus.

Date Published 27/03/2020

Northern announces second week of key worker timetables

Northern has announced amended timetables designed to keep key workers on the move through the second week of lock-down in the north of England.

Date Published 27/03/2020

Residents trapped abroad by coronavirus travel restrictions

Greater Manchester residents are stranded abroad with no money or a place to stay due to a lack of flights and coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

Date Published 27/03/2020

First Manchester, Rosso and Go North West announce timetable changes

Local bus operators First Manchester, Rosso and Go North West are moving its services to new timetables this weekend.

Date Published 27/03/2020

Local hospitals suspend visitors except for exceptional circumstances

Pennine Acute has suspended visiting at all of its hospitals until further notice.

Date Published 27/03/2020

Local DJ�s 24-hour fundraiser for local elderly and vulnerable during coronavirus pandemic

A local DJ will be hosting a 24-hour livestream to raise funds for the elderly and vulnerable in Milnrow and Newhey during the current pandemic.

Date Published 27/03/2020

Care workers must be given personal protective equipment, demands Tony Lloyd MP

Tony Lloyd, MP for Rochdale, has written to the Health Minister as vital care workers are being left with no personal protection equipment (PPE) against coronavirus.�

Date Published 27/03/2020

JD Sports 'putting thousands at risk' by remaining open amid coronavirus pandemic

Fashion retailer JD Sports has come under fire from its warehouse employees � as it remains open despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Date Published 26/03/2020

Clap for Our Carers scheduled for 8pm tonight

The Clap For Our Carers campaign�will see people across the UK�applaud NHS workers from the doorsteps and windows of their homes to say thank you for all of their efforts during...

Date Published 26/03/2020

Support package announced for self-employed

Support has been pledged for the self-employed who can no longer work due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Date Published 26/03/2020

Keeping fit during isolation

The boss of an award-winning Rochdale gym has come up with some timely advice on how people can stay fit and healthy during the coronavirus lockdown.

Date Published 26/03/2020

Free car parking for NHS and social care staff

The government will cover the costs of providing free car parking to NHS staff working in hospitals during this unprecedented time, the Health Secretary has pledged.

Date Published 26/03/2020

Up to a thousand homeless people to stay in hotels as part of �5m scheme

Up to a thousand homeless people across Greater Manchester will be put up in hotels to try and stop more people getting coronavirus.

Date Published 26/03/2020

Missing: Chanel Flatley

A teenager with links to Heywood is missing from Cumbria.
Police are concerned for the welfare of missing 13-year-old Chanel Flatley from Kendal who was last seen on the evening...

Date Published 26/03/2020

United Utilities steps up support for customers in response to coronavirus

Water company United Utilities is stepping up actions to support its customers during the �unprecedented� impact of coronavirus Covid-19 on North West families and businesses.

Date Published 26/03/2020

Rochdale RSPCA urgently needs donations as charity shops close due to coronavirus

The Rochdale RSPCA animal centre is in urgent need of donations as its charity shops have been forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Date Published 26/03/2020

British Transport Police reminds parents and children of the dangers of the railway

With the schools closed for the foreseeable future and parents seeking to fill their children�s time at home, British Transport Police is urging parents and carers to speak to...

Date Published 26/03/2020

Citizens Advice Rochdale announces emergency changes to services

Citizens Advice Rochdale has announced that face-to-face advice services in Rochdale have been suspended for the foreseeable future.

Date Published 26/03/2020

�Your NHS Needs You� � NHS call for volunteer army

The NHS is �rallying the troops� for the war on coronavirus, with volunteers being called up to help vulnerable people stay safe and well at home.

Date Published 25/03/2020

One Nation distributing hot food for NHS staff

One Nation volunteers from the Rochdale branch recently delivered hot food to the Accident & Emergency department at The Royal Oldham Hospital.

Date Published 25/03/2020

Government launches Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp

The UK Government has today (Wednesday 25 March)�launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp.

Date Published 25/03/2020

Coronavirus: Tony Lloyd MP calls for crackdown on profiteering

Tony Lloyd, MP for Rochdale, is calling for a crackdown on businesses that increase prices on basic or vital items during the COVID-19 crisis.
Mr Lloyd said: "Essential workers...

Date Published 25/03/2020

Drivers granted six-month MOT exemption due to coronavirus

Vehicle owners will be granted a six-month exemption from MOT testing, enabling them to continue to travel to work where this absolutely cannot be done from home, or shop for...

Date Published 25/03/2020

Independent opticians hand delivering glasses to those in self isolation

An independent opticians in Rochdale is extending its services to support vulnerable people in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Date Published 25/03/2020

Rochdale Online supports launch of save local journalism campaign

Rochdale Online is a member of the Independent Community News Network and we share�this open letter today as part of the #savelocaljournalism campaign, which is lobbying...

Date Published 25/03/2020

Coronavirus: emotional advice and support

Help and advice is available for those who are worried about coronavirus and self-isolation.

Date Published 25/03/2020

Rochdale firm involved in ventilator drive to beat coronavirus

A Rochdale manufacturer has found itself involved in the UK-wide drive to produce 30,000 emergency ventilators to help the NHS deal with�coronavirus.
The equipment is critical in...

Date Published 25/03/2020

Weekly Column: Mayor Billy Sheerin

This is the final column from Councillor Billy Sheerin as the Mayor of Rochdale. Usually the mayoral year comes to an end in May but due to the coronavirus crisis, all the mayor's...

Date Published 24/03/2020

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