Rooted in Ridgehill, strengthening community voice and participation
Ridgehill Together is a community‑led organisation based in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, working from a local community hub rooted in the Ridgehill and Thameside area which includes neighbourhoods experiencing economic disadvantage, social isolation and limited opportunities for residents—particularly older people and young people—to shape local decisions.
Ridgehill Together supports community connection, volunteering and local leadership, building on relationships developed through Big Local and other neighbourhood programmes.
The organisation is now beginning work to develop People’s Assemblies, starting with listening and engagement focused on older residents and young people.
Current activity centres on relationship‑building, volunteer recruitment and preparation for small‑scale assemblies that reflect local priorities and make use of existing community spaces.
Assembly Culture in Ridgehill
Ridgehill Together works with residents in the Ridgehill and Thameside area of Stalybridge, a neighbourhood shaped by economic disadvantage alongside strong informal networks and community pride. The community includes older residents, families, young people and volunteers who are already connected through the local community hub and long‑running neighbourhood activity. Many residents experience social isolation, limited access to services and few opportunities to influence decisions affecting their area.
The community is working to strengthen connection, confidence and local voice, so residents feel able to shape what happens in their neighbourhood. Ridgehill Together’s approach focuses on building trust, supporting volunteering and creating shared spaces where people can come together around local priorities. The aim is not only to deliver activities, but to grow local leadership and participation over time.
People’s Assemblies are being explored as a next step in this journey. Assemblies offer a way to bring together 20–30 residents at a time into structured, facilitated conversations that move beyond individual concerns towards shared understanding and collective priorities. They are intended to complement existing community activity, providing moments of deeper reflection and democratic practice.
So far, Ridgehill Together has been in an early development phase, focusing on listening, relationship‑building and preparation. Work to date has included engagement with older residents and young people, volunteer recruitment and planning for small‑scale assemblies using familiar community spaces. A small group of around 5–8 volunteers and staff is beginning to shape this work. This phase is laying the foundations for future assemblies that are rooted in local relationships and responsive to what residents say matters most in Ridgehill.
Contact
Lead Partner
Ridgehill Together