Thank you for choosing to be part of the Oldham Residents' Panel. This sheet provides information on what the Residents' Panel will involve, its purpose, and how your information will be used by the council and partners. Please take time to read this information and share it with others if you wish. If you would like any more information or have any questions, please contact us at: REC@oldham.gov.uk
What is the purpose of the Residents' Panel?
The Residents' Panel is managed by Oldham Council’s research team and is made up of Oldham residents who wish to have their say on key issues facing Oldham.
Every so often, you will be contacted by the council to take part in a short survey, telephone interview, or face-to-face focus group. We will ask you a few questions about your priorities, your views, and experiences, and the kinds of services and support you access in the local area.
Once the project has concluded, we collate all the information we have received, and this is analysed to understand how residents feel about a particular issue. You will remain anonymous and will not be identified in any way.
We then prepare a report that details all the information and views residents have shared with us. This is shared with the relevant service area and will be crucial in helping to inform their decisions.
Where possible, we will endeavour to share information on how your views have shaped council services and decision-making.
Why have I been invited?
You have been invited to take part because you either live or work in Oldham or use an Oldham service. We welcome anyone aged 16 or over to the panel. All we ask is a willingness to share your views to make a difference in the community and to provide support and challenge and act as a critical friend to the council. It is very important that the Oldham Residents' Panel is a representative group of Oldham residents from a variety of backgrounds and we are keen to ensure our panel is as diverse as possible.
Do I have to take part?
No. Taking part is entirely voluntary and if you do decide to take part you can withdraw from the Residents' Panel at any time without giving a reason. To do so, please contact:
What are the benefits of taking part?
There are lots of benefits to taking part in a Residents' Panel. The Residents' Panel gives you an opportunity to have your opinion heard by decision-makers and help steer Oldham Council’s direction on the future of the borough. You will also gain an invaluable insight into the decision-making process and an understanding of the workings of the council and other organisations. Participation can help to build skills and knowledge. In the past, participants have said taking part helped to build confidence, debating skills, and listening skills. Many have used the experience in job interviews or to bolster their CV.
Are there any risks?
There aren’t any known risks, however, there may be times when sensitive issues are discussed. If you are contacted to take part and find any of the subject matters difficult to talk about, please do make us aware and we can discuss any arrangements that will help you feel more comfortable.
How will I be contacted?
We will always make sure that we consider your individual circumstances when carrying out research. This means we will endeavour to adjust the methods we use when carrying out research to ensure participants are not prevented from taking part. For example, if you tell us that you have difficulty accessing the internet, we will ensure you can take part in research in other ways, such as a telephone interview. If you do have any issues that may affect your taking part in the research such as accessibility, please let us know so we can make different arrangements for you.
Privacy notice
The information you provide will only be used to ensure that our services and support are accessible to everyone and may be shared with partners or services throughout the council. No information that would identify you as an individual will be published and the information will be kept securely and will be kept no longer than necessary.
Our core data protection obligations and commitments are set out in the council’s primary privacy notice at:
You can also find our full research, engagement, and consultation privacy notice online at: