Local residents will have access to free hot showers thanks to Oldham Active’s (Oldham Community Leisure) ‘Shower and Go’ initiative to support people in the Oldham community struggling to pay for heating and heat hot water in the colder months.
Shower and Go follows the launch of Oldham Council’s wider initiative in creating welcoming, heated, sheltered spaces for those who cannot afford to put the heating on. The move will see places like libraries turned into Warm Banks as part of the council’s £3m plans to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Shower and Go is available from 16th October 2022. To access the showers people must first register, confidentially, for the scheme. Young people (under 16s) as part of a family group will not need to register separately. The ‘Shower and Go’ scheme will be on offer at the following locations:
- Oldham Leisure Centre – All Opening Times
- Royton Leisure Centre – All Opening Times
- Saddleworth Leisure Centre – All Opening Times
- Failsworth Sports Centre – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 6-7pm, Saturday & Sunday 3pm-5pm
- Radclyffe Athletics Centre –Monday – Friday 6pm onwards and Saturdays
The showers will be provided in 10 minute slots, with shower gel and shampoo provided too. People will need to provide their own towels.
Kelly Tattersall, Oldham Active Community and Partnership Manager says: “The option for people to have access to free warm showers and to be able to get clean is a basic human right. As a charitable organisation it was important for us to be able to provide these facilities to people and families who maybe struggling this autumn and winter. Oldham Active is determined to support our local community during these difficult times, and we want to make sure nobody is left to suffer as the weather gets colder. We will provide hot showers to those most vulnerable, treating them with respect, dignity and a warm welcome.”
Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Oldham Council Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care says: “As always, partnership working is vital for these initiatives to work, so we are delighted that through our work with Oldham Active, we can offer more help and support for our communities through the cold winter. Projects such as these are so important, as we all know with the current economic climate and challenges with utilities that people will be finding it hard. The provision of a free shower is a simple but important offer and we are delighted this scheme is there for the borough as part of our We Can Help support campaign.”
Kelly continues: “Times are tough for everyone, but it is local residents on the lowest incomes who are feeling the brunt of rising prices the most. Our team of friendly staff will be on hand to help or to answer any questions, and if you are struggling and need further help, they will be trained to provide and signpost you to other warm and food bank schemes in the area.”
The online link for more information and how to register for Shower and Go is https://oclactive.co.uk/shower-go/
