Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham visits Rochdale

Date published: 30 June 2019

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, visited Springhill Hospice, new apartments in Rochdale town centre and a sheltered home for those who have fallen on hard times in a visit to Rochdale on Wednesday (26 June).

Mr Burnham kicked off his visit at the Wellington Mews, seven new apartments which have been created inside a listed building at 2 Smith Street, formerly a coaching inn, which has undergone a £1m refurbishment.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/128772/new-town-centre-apartments-completed

The new apartments are in Rochdale town centre’s Heritage Action Zone, one of just 16 areas of historical interest across the country, which have been selected to receive targeted support from Historic England to help them regenerate over a five-year period.

Andy Burnham said: “I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen.

“I’ve not been to the town centre for a few months and the difference is huge to see. It’s nice to see the old and new side by side alongside one of Rochdale’s most historic buildings being brought into modern use.

“What’s always differentiated Rochdale is a heritage offer that’s over and above, and it’s great to see old buildings like this being given a new lease of life. I’m really confident about the regeneration which the council is undertaking here and I’m supporting their efforts all the way. A lot has taken place and it’s the start of even more to come.”

Mr Burnham later visited Limes Housing in Castleton, which provides a sheltered home where up 12 residents can stay at any one given time in hopes of improving their quality of life. The purpose of the visit was to showcase the work Limes does in the Rochdale area and the support given to tenants, which is mostly done on a voluntary basis.

This ranges from individuals who have been subjected to drug and alcohol abuse, as well as those who have found themselves in unfortunate situations and fallen homeless, sometimes through no fault of their own.

Mr Burnham was joined by Collette Sudell, Eunice Priestley, Peter Hurley, volunteer Jackie Marrow and resident John Priestley from Limes Housing. Dr Naomi Sefton and Jane Gaunt, practice manager from Castleton Health Centre, former Mayor of Rochdale, Mohammed Zaman and Adam Keyworth who is shadowing the Mayor of Manchester were also present.

Mr Hurley said: “We were referred to as ‘The Hilton of the homeless sector’ and Mr Burnham looks forward to working closely with us in the future, which we are very excited about. He was extremely impressed with our unique service, so much so he asked if we would consider expansion with his assistants.

“Mr Burnham mentioned this kind of project is few and far between and the homeless sector is in desperate need for other organisations to follow our lead and adapt our ethos.”

Mr Burnham also visited Springhill Hospice, meeting with Chief Executive Julie Halliwell and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Robert Clegg OBE, along with other members of staff.

He was taken on a tour around the hospice and its grounds to meet with patients and look at the facilities provided to the local community.

Mr Burnham, said: “It was great to get the chance to come and see the fantastic work going on at Springhill Hospice to provide people with the care they need.

“It was very clear that everyone involved in the hospice really cares about the community they serve, and I want to thank them for taking the time to talk to me and to show me around.”

Mr Burnham made a special visit to the education suite of the hospice to speak with Jane Ashworth, Education Lead & Specialist Palliative Care Nurse and Claire Tallantyre, Palliative Care Educator.

Both Jane and Claire are responsible for the special palliative and end-of-life care training programmes that take place at the hospice and across the borough for health and social care professionals.

Mr Burnham took some time out to speak to local nurses and care staff who were taking part in a training course on the day to discuss with them the importance of palliative and end-of-life care.

Julie Halliwell said “It was great that Mr Burnham took time out of his busy schedule to look around the hospice. We were able to demonstrate the effectiveness of integrated working across the hospice and in the community.

“Day hospice patients were delighted to meet Mr Burnham, as were the nursing staff, who spend time explaining their roles, and the benefits that hospice support gives to patients and their families.”