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Double the delight for Ambitions Tameside and Oldham

Friday, 22 October 2021 14:47

Ambitions Tameside and Oldham has celebrated a fantastic double.

Firstly, the group marked its fifth anniversary with a fabulous get-together in Ashton before going on to celebrate receipt of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. 

Ambitions is a self-funding, not-for-profit constituted community group run predominantly by volunteers providing social activities, such as discos, outings, physical activities and social clubs to young adults with learning and physical disabilities. 

The group was originally set up in Oldham 11 years ago and then expanded into Tameside five years ago. It holds its discos at the Engine Room Pub in Ashton every Tuesday evening from 6-9pm.

The anniversary event was staged at the pub.

To celebrate the anniversary, the Civic Mayor of Tameside Cllr Janet Cooper and her Consort Dennis Fitzpatrick attended, with live entertainment provided by Jo Farrow. There was also a free buffet.

Ambitions is run by a committee of three - Jonathan Griffiths-Barnes (chairman), Andy Slavko (secretary), and Angela Pagett (treasurer), alongside their volunteers.

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Jonathan and team leader Stephanie Griffiths-Barnes said a huge thank you to all of the fantastic members, carers, parents and especially all of the ‘wonderful volunteers, without whom there would be no Ambitions.’

They added: “We would also like to extend our thanks to Engine Room landladies Julia and Pat and their fantastic bar staff who are brilliant with our members and have been fantastic with us throughout the time they’ve been with us.

“This year was more poignant than ever. Not only was it our fifth year anniversary, but we celebrated our huge achievement after being awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2020.”

The award is the highest award a voluntary group can receive and is equivalent to an MBE.

Jonathan continued: “This award recognises the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and also honours all of our members who can now proudly say they belong to a community group that has received such a tremendous accolade.

“We won this award during the lockdown period so unfortunately had not been able to celebrate it.”

However, the group put that right on Friday last week when members celebrated the achievement with a special party at Smokies Hotel with both the Tameside and Oldham groups coming together to give all of the volunteers a night to remember. 

The event was free for the group members to attend, including free entertainment and food and there was also a grand raffle.

For more information on becoming a member, volunteer or supporter of Ambitions, you can contact Jonathan on 07977 075998 or email jonathan.ambitions@hotmail.co.uk or visit the Facebook page - Ambitions Oldham and Tameside.

The group is totally self-funding and does not receive funds from central or local government.

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