Armed forces community

Poppy Appeal volunteers

The Royal British Legion needs volunteers to help raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.

Register as a Poppy Appeal volunteer
3 red and green poppy pins.

Armed forces breakfast clubs and coffee mornings

Socialise with fellow armed forces members and veterans over a cooked breakfast or a coffee in weekly clubs across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.

Details of breakfast clubs and coffee mornings
Veterans sat around a table.

Every One Remembered

More than 1 million service men and women gave their lives in the First World War so that future generations could live theirs.

Search for a name
A World War One soldier standing in a field of poppies.

Armed forces profile

On 23 June 2020, for the first time the law required the census to include information about whether someone has served in HM Armed Forces. 

More support

  • Veterans and councillors standing in front of Rochdale Cenotaph.

    Help for armed forces personnel

    Members of the armed forces and their families can access lots of different support both locally and nationally. Help is available to you, no matter where you are or what you need.

  • People holding their CVs, waiting to be interviewed.

    Guaranteed interview scheme

    If you've left the armed forces and you apply for a job at the council, you're guaranteed an interview as long as you meet the conditions of the scheme.

  • close up of piles of coins and a cutout of a house

    Council Tax discount

    If you're a member of the armed forces and you're away as a result of your service, you can apply for a Council Tax discount.

Our armed forces community

Sea cadets with officers and Councillors Mike Holly and Janet Emsley.
Councillor Mike Holly, mayor of Rochdale (3rd from right) and Councillor Janet Emsley, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Equity, Safety and Reform (pictured right) visiting Rochdale Sea Cadets at Training Ship Frobisher. (image: 16 April 2024)
Remembrance service at the Rochdale Cenotaph.
We will remember them, Rochdale Cenotaph, 11 November 2022.
Middleton Armed Forces Coffee Morning – Royal British Legion with Alkrington Library
Middleton Armed Forces Coffee Morning – Royal British Legion with Alkrington Library.

Decision making

  • cartoon image of people with a giant filing system

    Policies, strategies and reviews

    We use policy and strategy documents to guide our decisions. We also use them to develop and run our services fairly and consistently.

  • Graphic representing councillor profiles linked together.

    Councillors and committees

    Councillors are responsible for agreeing provision of services and how the council's money is spent.