What are we about
We are a local charity helping to inspire our community and make Middleton a better place to live, work and visit.
Our passion is… to inspire, to promote, and to participate. We believe that local people need to be involved in shaping their future, and many local folk have a great deal to contribute. We want to give opportunities and support for this to happen.
The focus of our work
Is inspiring people, places and organisations.
We are a local charity set up to promote community development. We do this by helping others to improve their lives and life situations, through encouragement and support to make the best of who they are.
This means that we inspire and encourage them to get involved and participate in making a difference for the benefit of the town and all who live in it.
At the same time we actively reach out to those in need and those who are not able to help themselves so that they too can be given a chance to play a fuller role in the community.
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Call Us:
0161 643 1163
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Email Us:
hello@inspiremiddleton.org.uk
Some of our Recent
Achievements
visited the Lighthouse Project last year to develop their skills, meet people, or get help and support,
(Jul 19 – Jun 20)
fed by Middleton Central Foodbank. 36.3 tonnes of emergency food given in crisis support last year
(Jul 19 -Jun 20)
by our Pantry members saving up to £1,494 p.a. on their annual food costs, keeping more money in the house for other bills
to tackle personal debt, with £395,000+ being written off, relieved, or managed, through Lighthouse Money Advice support
Our story
how we work
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the plant pot model
Inspire Middleton is a local development charity doing good in our community. Most people know us more by the things that we do rather than being being familiar with our name. There is a reason for this which we can explain.
Inspire Middleton is a nurturing and inspiring organisation which works differently to a lot of other organisations. We are responsible for many different projects and we describe the way we work as the ‘hands under’, or ‘ plant pot model’.
It’s simple to explain, instead of being an umbrella organisation which has ‘hands over’ controlling everything, offering protection but limiting growth, we operate with ‘hands under’, still offering support and protection but without limiting growth or opportunity to maximise each projects potential. When you look at it this way it makes everything about what we do that much clearer to understand.
Plant pots are used to plant seeds, that are then cared for and nurtured so that they grow. Once grown everyone is focused upon the fruit of your labours. Rarely do people say “oh what a wonderful plant pot that is”, no, they are more likely to comment on how beautiful the flowers are, and so it is with us. Inspire Middleton is the plant pot that supports all the many community projects we grow.
Our job is to inspire, to plant, to nurture, to encourage, and to build…community. We accept that people will know us more by the work of our hands than by seeing our name in flashing lights, but this is okay, this is what we intended.
We just want to ‘inspire Middleton’.

some of The projects we run
Click to find out more information

Lighthouse Project
Our drop-in style community hub open to all offering an array of support facilities and different activities based in Middleton Shopping Centre.

Middleton Central Foodbank
This is our Foodbank which is part of the national Trussell Trust network set up to help and supporting people living in food poverty or crisis.

Lighthouse Money Advice
This is our face-to-face debt advice service helping people struggling with personal debts - it is an appointment service.

Lighthouse Pantry
Our membership food club supporting local families and helping them to reduce their food bills to keep more money in the household for other costs.

You don't have to do things on your own
some of our latest news...
Money & Benefits Adviser recruitment
We are currently recruiting for a new post within our...
Read MoreKeeping safe in the Lighthouse Pantry
We’re just about to see the changes the government has...
Read Morea few testimonials
Well done all the staff and volunteers – Cheers!
“The Lighthouse Project is a big help to a lot of people. They have helped me with my CV on a numerous times, and also recently Carl was a great help to my husband when he was preparing a presentation for work. There are a lot of people who would be lost without this place.” Thanks everyone – Nicola D Sept 2016
“Having had an emergency operation on my right knee, I could not work. Aftercare was involved and I was taking co-codamol painkillers which were failing me for interviews for fork lifts, so my licences lapsed. Consequently I had to go on JSA and I was sent to Mantra training to renew my licences, meanwhile I needed lots of help with computers, and Dave and Carole were brilliant with giving me all the help I needed. I also got encouragement from all the other members of staff and the volunteers helping me to quit the booze and ciggy’s which gave me the confidence to get back into work – and now I have a job at Sarsons in Middleton.” Thanks Michael S – Sept 2016
I would like to thank the hard working staff at the Lighthouse Project for their help and unstinting support in assisting me to achieve my goal of gaining full-time employment. Special big Thanks. Lisa – March 2016
I would just like to say that the Lighthouse Project is very helpful in meeting everybody’s needs, whatever they may be. It’s volunteers have helped me immensely in every thing i have needed regarding, job searching, learning new computer skills, and courses in order for me to find employment, and now I have just got a job which is amazing. Also they are a reassuring listening ear whenever it is needed. I would just like to say a Big Thank You TO all CONCERNED. Ronnie L – March 2016
I want to say a BIG thanks to everyone at the Lighthouse Project. I had a great time there whilst looking for a new job. The staff were very helpful and there were great facilities to help me as I don’t have a computer at home. I now have managed to get a job and want to that the team for their help. Adrian G – March 2016
Having read the recent articles in the Middleton Guardian, and being curious about the hopeful relocation of the Lighthouse Project from Warwick Mill, I paid a visit last week and was shown around by Centre manager Pam Semp, a great guide.
I was astounded by what was going on in large well-organised space with various rooms off, such as the music room and the painting group rooms. There’s are several banks of computers for people to use in job searches and other things, tables and chairs for arts and crafts and other interests, a small café and kitchen for training of how to cook.
This is the main part of this charitable project, to give people a practical and artistic opportunity to further their lives. The local council should be thrilled, all organised by private and philanthropic effort, and seemingly, to me on the day, done so efficiently. There are other aspects dealt with in the space as well, such as the wheelchair loan organisation Middleton Dial, and there are helpful noticeboards and pamphlets giving useful information.
A suitable relocation must be found, this initiative must continue… It is a marvelous social facility.
Michael D White Letters Page extract, Middleton Guardian 25th Feb 2016
When I first started volunteering at The Lighthouse Project, I had been out of work for 5 years. I felt I wanted to get back into work but was nervous and lacking in confidence. I thought that volunteering was a good way of developing my skills, getting experience of the working environment and giving me the confidence I needed to return to work. During my time as a volunteer I have enhanced my own skills by guiding people with computer skills such as job hunting, writing CVs and email skills. I have also worked on reception which has been an important experience as this is the type of work I have been looking for. I have felt very much part of a team, working alongside the other members of staff. My time at The Lighthouse Project has been invaluable, my self-esteem has greatly increased and I have enjoyed meeting a wide variety of new people. Whilst giving something back to the community, I have taken the first steps to returning to paid employment and, following a successful job interview, I am looking forward to starting my new receptionist job at a Children’s Centre. I will be very sorry to leave The Lighthouse Project as it is a very warm, welcoming and supportive place. I cannot thank the staff and team there enough for the help, support and confidence I have been given. Liz H – Nov 2015
I have been using the Lighthouse Project for several years now Over this period of time it has proved to be a very good place to come. I use the internet and other IT facilities, and to study, which has helped me pass exams. I now have only 12 months of study left to qualify as a Solicitor, and the Lighthouse Project has helped me to achieve this. Thank you – Rajiv S Sept 2016

The Lighthouse is a wonderful place I can’t believe how friendly the staff are, very helpful and supportive, and willing to listen and give you the time needed to explain things. Lots of encouragement giving me confidence that is much needed. Thank you – Phil D July 2015
I have always used the facilities at the Lighthouse Project and found them absolutely brilliant staff. Once again they have helped me find employment after a long spell of injury. I will still continue to come to the Lighthouse Project to seek help and information on a regular basis. Well done all the staff and volunteers, I start work again on Monday – Cheers! Mike S – Aug 2015