The Professional Oldham networking group has resumed regular meetings following a break during the Covid pandemic.
The group gathered last Thursday evening at an event hosted by Maggie’s Cancer care and welcomed over 40 local businesses to the unique premises in the Royal Oldham Hospital grounds.
Professional Oldham co –founder, Bridget Batty says it was good to be meeting in-person again: “The evening started off with plenty of chat and excitement about meeting other business people they perhaps hadn’t seen for years and making friends with those they’d not met before.
“Many turned up feeling slightly hesitant but soon remembered the pleasure of meeting and networking face to face again.”
Co-founder Suzanne Wright welcomed the guests, and reiterated the values of the group and its purpose: meeting other local businesses in an informal no-pressure environment.
During a talk to the group, she discussed the previous meeting at Cornerstone Design and Marketing in Lees in January 2020. She highlighted how that business had diversified during the lockdown, making branded screens and signage, ensuring other businesses were Covid-friendly and helping them through the pandemic.
Centre Manager at Maggie’s, Trish Morgan, spoke to the attendees about the unique design of the building:”Local Oldham people visiting the hospital may have noticed a wooden building on stilts but never appreciated the fantastic work that goes on inside. Maggie’s provides an excellent service for cancer sufferers and their families living in Oldham in a friendly and relaxed environment.”
Professional Oldham also partnering with Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in arranging the social events. For every ticket purchased, a donation is made to the hospice to provide patient care.
Rebecca Bentham who joined Dr Kershaw’s Hospice during the pandemic, reminded everyone of the essential service that Dr Kershaw’s hospice provides and the £9,000 a day it costs to run. Part of their new fundraising efforts in time for Christmas is their own label gin, and advice on a Gin and Jammies fundraiser.
The Hospice has also recently opened a second hand furniture shop on Shaw Road .
Professional Oldham was established in 2016 and is run by Bridget Batty from Limetree Public Relations, Suzanne Wright of Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers and Glenn Drake-Owen of Breakey & Nuttall.
More recently Andrew Whitehead from Credible Media and Rebecca Bentham, Head of Income Generation for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, have joined the steering group.
The group have their own Twitter account @ProOldhamTweets and have a new Instagram account @professionalOldham where you can be updated on their news.