Join the Celebrate team: Festival Coordinator Expression of Interest (paid role)

Festival Coordinator

Expression of Interest

Whalley Range Community Forum (WRCF) and Whalley Range Youth Opportunities Association (WRYOA) are looking for a highly organised Freelance Festival Co-ordinator to oversee the Celebrate Festival 2024.

 Fee: £3,500 (equivalent to 20 days at £175, to include all expenses).

You will work with an experienced steering group, volunteers, and music coordinator.

The 27th Celebrate Festival day will take place on

Saturday June 8th in Manley Park, Whalley Range.

The theme of the festival will be Crossing Oceans and will utilize environmental, and migration themes. We will be preparing for the festival by lead up dispersed activities in venues around the community, e.g. in local schools and shared housing schemes.

We need a creative individual, with experience of organising similar community events to take this theme and create a vision to inspire participants.

Key elements of the role:

  • To develop and deliver Celebrate 2024, including a diverse range of activities.
  • To be responsible for the creative vision of the festival with a focus on quality
  • To communicate effectively with partners, community organisations, schools, artists, participants, venues, suppliers, licensing authorities etc
  • To recruit and manage freelance artists,
  • To be responsible, with the Steering Group, for managing the Festival budget
  • To promote the festival
  • To produce a final report for funders, including monitoring and evaluation.

Priority requirements:

  • Experience of successful project management including drawing up and managing budgets
  • Proven record in organising community events
  • Experience of successful participatory creative work in low income and diverse communities
  • Experience of partnership and team working
  • Experience of promotion and marketing
  • Experience of monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes

Work circumstances:

  • Based at JNR8.  A willingness to work unsocial hours when required

How to apply: Please email your CV, plus one side of A4 showing how you meet the requirements to celebratefestival2024@gmail.com          

Deadline: 9:00 am, Monday March 18th.

 Interviews will be held on Thursday 21st March 2024

Download a word document to print: Celebrate Festival Coordinator 2024

Check out Celebrate on our Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateFestivalWhalleyRange

What’s happening locally…

  1. Events
  2. Regular Activities
  3. Health & Wellbeing
  4. Children and Young People
  5. News, Exhibitions & meetings
  6. Sport/Active lifestyle
  7. Volunteering
  8. Support
  9. Festivals and special events

And lots more to come!

Events and activities

What’s happening at the Leg Up club on Wednesday 6th March?

We have a Leg Up club International Women’s Day special this week!
(Women and men welcome)

Meet Deanne Heron: inspirational local author, who will be talking about her writing and encouraging participants to have a go at either writing a poem or a journal entry…

(Scroll down for more information about International Women’s Day from Deanne)

Create a Vision Board for Well-being with Lotte: come along to engage in a fun and artistic process that promotes self-expression.

Share delicious food from Tibetan Kitchen, chat with friends – and make new ones!

Play dominoes and other board games or borrow a book from our library corner.

Talk to the team about your health issues: Rabina the Care Navigator, Dawn – Health Development Coordinator – and Gemma the district nurse will be available for a chat.

Come and join us from 11:45 – 1:30!

Anyone with leg conditions and low mobility – and anyone feeling isolated – is welcome to join us from 11:45 am-1:15 pm at JNR8.

Call us for more information – see poster for contact details.

(we may be able to help with transport expenses if you struggle with low mobility)

Deanne Heron

 

 

International Women’s Day

Leg up club International Women’s Day event:

Some words from Deanne Heron – who will be discussing her work as a writer at our Leg Up club tomorrow (6th March 2024)…

LEG UP CLUB – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY (Friday 8TH March 2024)

The Value of Art Therapy – Deanne Heron 6th March 2024

International Women’s Day began in New York City on 8th March, 1857. It commemorates the struggles of women for generations for equality, justice and their rights. It is a time for ALL of us, not just women, to stop and process life, make necessary changes which will allow us to focus on the POSITIVES in our lives not the negatives.

There are many different forms of art, such as maybe, baking and decorating a delicious cake, creating a beautiful garden, drawing and painting, music and dancing, writing poetry or prose and reading, architecture, to name a few.

I am a counsellor and I advise my clients, family and friends to JOURNAL. Writing, while listening to soothing old school music, from reggae and soul to classical is my therapy. At the moment, I write mainly poetry which I call my therapeutic poetic processing. I’ve had seven books published so far.

ART THERAPY along with journaling, allows us to step back from overwhelming day-to-day issues and connect with our inner peace. We are then better able to look at problems we’re having, explore and process them. This way, instead of feeling overwhelmed, we can choose ways to deal with them or get the courage to seek help.

Life can be very stressful, causing stress, anxiety, depression. Many of us, especially those over a certain age are suffering from a variety of physical health issues.

The mental and the physical are more closely linked than we know and often impact each other. Art therapy can help mental health in many ways which helps the physical.

Art therapy can:

Reduce stress and anxiety

Help relaxation and breathing

Open the path to inner peace

Help us to express talents we didn’t know we had

You do not have to be an ‘artist’ to gain the benefits. Just sitting and scribbling, using different colours to paint can be very relaxing.

Exploring with and playing with shapes and colours is good for us. It brings out our inner child and puts a smile on our faces.

Colours connects us with the beauty of nature – all the things around us such as plants, flowers, animals, birds, buildings modern and archaic, the sea, the beach, clouds, a blue sky or golden sun.

This connection allows us to tap into our FIVE senses which is good for our mental health and allows us to enjoy the simple but VITAL things of LIFE:

Sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch

What we SEE, SMELL, HEAR, TASTE and TOUCH, can awaken emotions, negative and positive, and determine how we react to and cope with people and situations.

This is why in our current confusing 21st Century times, ME TIME, in a quiet space, with carefully chosen family and friends or in a friendly space like this, is very important.

ME TIME is good for our health in general. It allows us to breathe and relax, meditate or listen to soothing music. This can lower blood pressure and help with other issues.

Therapy takes MANY official and unofficial forms.

ART THERAPY is a priceless nutrient for our mental health which is passed

on to the physical.

 

https://www.manchester.gov.uk/iwd

 

Regular Activities

 


JNR8 (pronounced generate) is a warm and welcoming space for our community to meet with others, and on Fridays you are welcome to drop in to our Warm Hub, have a cuppa and a crumpet/piece of toast, fruit – and soup and a roll when the weather is colder!

Visit a warm space near you: meet people, enjoy a hot meal, get advice.

Whalley Range Community Forum Warm Welcome Space page:

https://www.warmwelcome.uk/space?l=17701

Find other local Warm Welcome Spaces at: https://www.warmwelcome.uk



A place to belong, make friends and have a place to talk…
????????????
WEDNESDAY YOUTH NIGHTS | 7 – 8.30pm
????St Werburgh’s Chorlton

This weekly, free youth club is open for young people of all backgrounds in secondary school.

Keen to come join? It’s easy.
All the info and consent forms on our website.
www.stwchorlton.org/youth
Or if you’re getting dropped off we’ve got paper copies for parents to fill out too.

We can’t wait to see you! ????

Save the Date! Upcoming events for your diary…

Watch this space for more details 

 

 

Health & Wellbeing

This exciting new social group for people with leg conditions and those who are feeling isolated is on Wednesdays at JNR8 from 11:45-1:30pm

Who’s who at your GP practice

Our campaign aims to improve the understanding of the different professionals working in a general practice, including the skills, experience and benefits that different roles bring to patient care.

We want to help you understand what different members of the general practice team do and why you may be seen by someone other than a GP.

Click the link to find out more:

Who’s Who at your local GP Practice

Children and Young People

Spaces in our rainbow unit for girls aged 4 to 7 years in Whalley Range.

Rainbows have fun learning new things with friends and earn badges by taking part in activities.

We meet at St Edmunds church on Alexandra Road South on Fridays (during term time) from 6.15 to 7.15 pm.

We have spaces in our guide unit for girls aged 10 to 14 years in Whalley Range

Our activities are for all abilities and girls enjoy trying new things and have the opportunity try different activities

We meet at St Edmunds church on Alexandra Road South on a Friday evening (in term time) from 7.30 to 9.00pmdays out further afield (contains links outside our website)

News, Exhibitions & Meetings

 

Russell Road LGBTQ+ Extra Care Scheme.

What is extra care?

Extra care is an affordable housing option from not for profit social landlords offering self-contained homes for older people aged 55 or over.  It includes flexible and responsive services to enable them to maintain their independence and stay where they live if their care needs change.

You would have your own apartment and tenancy with access to flexible care and support services if needed. A team of care staff is on site 24/7 rather than being brought in on a visiting basis. This is to ensure better joint working between housing and care teams and to provide a model that can adapt to people’s needs as they change, rather than people having to move when this happens. 

Care provided is in line with domiciliary care, e.g. up to 4 care visits per day. Carers on site over night are there for emergencies and peace of mind. 

Amy and Louise from Great Places and Angela and Kath from MCC can speak to people about Extra Care services in more detail. Information on other Extra Care schemes, and how to apply, will be available if people are interested.  This will also help answer any questions from people who may think this will be the only EC scheme in the city. 

How can someone register for the properties?  

Waiting lists are not open.  Add your name to the mailing list and you’ll receive updates on the scheme. 

How will properties be allocated? 

The shared ownership apartments will be sold on a first come first served basis.

The extra care apartments will be allocated by a panel according to level of care need but someone doesn’t have to be in receipt of care to move.

Is the Extra Care scheme just for Manchester residents?

Yes, but exceptions may be considered by the panel on a case by case basis. 

Who will provide the care?

A care provider hasn’t been appointed yet.  The care and support services will be commissioned by Manchester City Council.

Can the local community access and people in the adjacent block access the facilities in the extra care housing scheme?

Yes. It will be a welcoming and inclusive scheme. Some areas, such as the café area, will be open; some will only be accessed by pre-arranged appointments, such as treatment or meeting rooms; some areas, such as the residential apartment areas on the upper floors, will be for extra care residents and their guests only.

Height/size?

Height of similar size to the previous Spire Hospital building that occupied the site.

The height of the scheme will be 4 and 5 storeys which falls into line with adjacent buildings.

Building has been set back from Russell Road & Carlton Road so as not to feel overbearing on existing two-storey semi-detached dwellings which line these streets.

Extra Care of 5 storeys (around 80 1- and 2-bed apartments).

Shared Ownership block of 4 storeys (around 40 1- and 2-bed apartments).

For further information speak to Alison or Maddi from Triangle Architects.

Will it be net zero?

The development will be as low-carbon as possible.

A ‘fabric first’ approach will be taken which prioritises the energy efficiency of a property from the start of the design and development process.  

An energy and sustainability strategy will be developed with a specialist consultant.

For further information speak to Alison and Maddi from Triangle Architects, Chris from Great Places, and Dave C and Dave H from Rowlinson.

Traffic/parking?

Parking numbers will be discussed and agreed with Manchester City Council Planning. Parking numbers indicated are in line with similar nearby developments.

Planning policy requires 20% of spaces will need to be electric vehicle charging spaces, with provision in place to adapt the other spaces in the future.

Cycle parking spaces will be set by Planning.

Two vehicular access points are provided into the Extra Care parking area, utilising existing access points and taking into account the Whalley Road School Street trial that is currently ongoing.

One vehicular access point is provided into the Shared Ownership parking area, utilising an existing access point.

Parking spaces have been carefully positioned within existing hardstanding areas, to ensure existing trees/roots are not damaged.

Planning conditions attached to any decision will determine site operating and delivery times. A construction traffic management plan will be developed and agreed with Planning officers.

For further information speak to Alison or Maddi from Triangle Architects.

LGBTQ+ majority?

Not exclusive, minimum of 51% LGBTQ+ community. Allocations will be made within the current process for Extra Care, with the additional support of the LGBT Foundation.

Evidence of need within LGBTQ+ community, supported by survey and report by LGBT Foundation (paper copies available for reference (not to give out), links to reports are on consultation website). Issues facing older LGBTQ+ community include social isolation, feeling they may need to go ‘back in the closet’ when accessing housing to meet their needs, partners not being included as family members, less likely to have children, plus more specific needs of trans people, first generation living to older age with HIV.

The aim of RR is to create a centre of excellence in housing, care and support provision for older LGBTQ+ people. This will be supported by Pride in Ageing accreditation which is being rolled out across all Extra Care schemes in the city. This is a quality assessment to ensure Extra Care housing landlords and care providers are, as a minimum, LGBTQ+ affirmative and exclusive.

The scheme will be inclusive and welcoming.

Evidence of need
LGBT Foundation’s 2020 report, Housing, Ageing and Care

  • 89% wanted more supported housing options for older LGBT people
  • 74% wanted to move into the proposed LGBT extra care scheme 

51% would be uncomfortable in non-LGBT specific care or housing (for over 75s this was higher at

Latest update on Russell Road LGBTQ+ Extra Care Scheme.

Work continues to move forward with the plans for the first purpose-built LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care scheme in the UK at Russell Rd. The scheme will offer high quality, affordable, low carbon housing for social rent and all partners are working towards the pre-planning works as quickly as possible. Preparations are underway to begin site investigations which will help to inform the design.

Despite some slight delays we envisage that we will be able to share our proposed plans with you in the next few weeks and are continuing to work towards submitting our planning proposals before Christmas – following community consultation.

The co-production with the Community Steering Group (CSG) for the proposed scheme has continued positively over the summer with three co-production design meetings since July.

At these meetings, members of the CSG have met with the design team (Great Places, Triangle Architects, Rowlinson Construction and Simon Fenton Partnerships), Manchester City Council and LGBT Foundation to co-produce the top-level design of the scheme ahead of the public planning consultation.

Meetings to date have included making decisions about flat layouts and design features (bathroom access, kitchen access, bedroom layouts) and internal communal spaces (public and customer use, access arrangements, facilities for customers and the wider community and access to outdoor spaces).

These discussions have built on the expertise in the room of designing, building, and managing Extra Care schemes as well as looking at the specific needs of future customers through lived experience.

As part of the co-production, the CSG has also learned about the planning process and the conservation area in Whalley Range to ensure that the building and its purpose enhance the local area.

In September, members of the design team attended a meeting of the Whalley Range Community forum to talk about the planned scheme and were met with a very positive reception from members of the Whalley Range community.

Co-production is not just about the design of the building and will also look at how services will be designed and managed when the scheme opens, and co-production activities with the CSG and wider community are planned throughout the whole process and beyond the doors opening.

To support the co-production process and share news about the proposed scheme, colleagues from Manchester City Council and Great Places joined members of the CSG and LGBT Foundation at Celebrate Festival, Pride on the Range, Manchester Pride, Sparkle Weekend and Chorlton Pride over the summer, and will continue to have a presence at local events as the scheme develops.

In addition, the project team also provided updates at a recent Whalley Range Ward Co-ordination Meeting. The plans were met positively by the group who also shared really useful local knowledge with the design team. Regular progress updates will also be given at future meetings.

The involvement of the CSG is invaluable in ensuring that this first purpose-built LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care scheme will meet the needs of the community when it opens and into the future. You can hear from members of the CSG in the first of a series of videos we’ve made to document the development of the scheme.

If you’re interested in becoming involved in this exciting project, the Community Steering Group is still looking to expand its membership and particularly wants to expand the diversity and inclusion of the group.

For more information on how you can get involved contact Adam Preston from LGBT Foundation at adam.preston@lgbt.foundation

Plans for Russell Road, including the first purpose-built LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care scheme in the UK, are now moving forward following the recent appointment of Great Places Housing Group as the new preferred provider.

The Extra Care scheme will form part of the new development on the site of the former Spire Hospital. It will offer affordable self-contained homes for people aged 55+ with access to flexible care and support services on-site if needed, enabling residents to keep their independence and stay in their home if their care needs change. All partners involved are delighted that the project is moving ahead. This is a great opportunity to develop and deliver a Centre of Excellence in Manchester providing safe, respectful and identity confirming Independent Living and Extra Care services for the LGBTQ+ community.

Co-production will be a key part of the scheme’s development. Great Places is working in close partnership with the Community Steering Group (made up of representatives from the local, LGBTQ+ and older people’s communities), LGBT Foundation and Manchester City Council to ensure the scheme achieves its agreed purpose and creates a lasting positive addition to Whalley Range. The Community Steering Group is already meeting with the project team. Initial meetings included a walkabout of the local area to look at how the scheme will fit in with existing buildings and architecture and to map out the existing nearby amenities and services. Planned future sessions include a visit to Elmswood Park Extra Care Scheme, and a trip to the LGBT Foundation Archive at Central Library. These sessions will form an important part of informing the co-production process as the Steering Group works with Great Places to develop design proposals for the planned development.

We also anticipate that site surveys and investigations will also begin at Russell Road in August, so neighbours are likely to see activity on the site at that time. As the project progresses, we will provide further updates, sharing proposed plans with the local community ahead of sending these for planning permission later in the year.

If you’re interested in becoming involved in this exciting project, the Community Steering Group is looking to expand its membership and particularly wants to expand the diversity and inclusion of the group. For more information on how you can get involved contact Adam Preston from LGBT Foundation at adam.preston@lgbt.foundation

 

Volunteering

Sport/Active Lifestyle

 

 

Support

Advice Services Consultation

Manchester City Council commissions an advice service that helps residents with welfare benefits advice, housing advice, and managing debt.

We’d like to hear your views on what the future service should look like. Your feedback will help us to improve the support and advice we provide to residents in the future.

Share you views before Thursday 29 February 2024.

https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200024/consultations_and_surveys/8683/advice_services_consultation

 

 

 

 

Our mobile food clubs give access to nutritious and affordable food taken into the heart of communities starved of money, food and resources. This low cost weekly shop provides essential produce for family eating – fresh fruit and veg, fridge favourites and cupboard staples.

Read more:

https://www.breadandbutterthing.org/become-a-member

Festivals and special events

https://www.manchester.gov.uk/iwd

IWD Walk for Women 2024

Saturday 9 March 2024

City Centre,

Time: 12pm – 2:30pm

Cost: Free

The Walk for Women is back again for International Women’s Day 2024. Meet at 12noon on Mount Street behind Central Library (by the John Cassidy ‘Ardrift’ statue)

We’ll be making our way along Mount Street and through Albert Square to Brazennose Street, before turning right into Deansgate and continuing all the way to Manchester Cathedral.

There are rest stops along the way and dropped kerbs for wheelchair access. If you’re not a regular walker we’d recommend bringing a bottle of water with you.

Register for the Walk for Women:

This walk is an opportunity to come together with family and friends, colleagues – and strangers too – to share our passion for equality and creating opportunities for Manchester women.

You’re encouraged to bring along fun, safe and noisy instruments to bang and clang, or make the most of your voice and join us with our chants.

Whether you’re a lone ranger or part of a group, we’d love to see you walking with us: there’s no fee to join the 2024 Walk for Women and anyone can take part.

To give us an idea of how many people will be there on the day, we’d appreciate you completing our online registration.

Walk for Women – the route:

We’ll gather to begin our walk on Mount Street, just behind Central Library. We’ll then head through Albert Square onto Brazennose Street, turn into Deansgate then continue all the way down to finish on Victoria Street, right outside Manchester Cathedral. See the route map on this page.

Please dress appropriately for the weather on the day. Refreshments are available to buy from shops and cafes along the route, but we recommend bringing a bottle of water with you.

Roads will be closed, and parking suspensions in place for the duration: find out which roads will be affected.

Accessibility:

There are rest stops along the way and dropped kerbs for wheelchair access are located:

  • At the junction of Mount Street and Peter Street, next to where we’re meeting
  • On Deansgate, outside John Rylands Library
  • At the junction of Deansgate and John Dalton Street, outside Katsouris Deli
  • At the junction of Deansgate and King Street, outside House of Fraser
  • At the junction of Deansgate and St Mary’s Street
  • At the junction of Deansgate and Blackfriars
  • At Cathedral Yard, opposite Harvey Nichols.

Volunteers, Manchester City Council staff and Security Officers will be around to assist anyone along the way.

If you need access to the hearing loop for this event, please report to the Events Team next to the John Cassidy ‘Ardrift’ statue behind Central Library on Mount Street. You will be provided with a hearing pack that gives access to the frequency channel.

British Sign Language interpreters will also be present.

Whalley Range Climate Action Group

Whalley Range Climate Action Group 

Everyone welcome to come along to discuss the climate emergency with other concerned people and get involved in actions to make Whalley Range a more sustainable place to live.  We meet on the 3rd Saturday of the month and eat a  vegetarian/vegan lunch together after the meeting. Bring a little  food to share if you can at the JNR8 Youth & Community Centre, 82 Cromwell Ave, M16 0BG

Local people and organisations taking action to address
the climate emergency.
climateaction@whalleyrangers.org
@RangeAction
Facebook: Whalley Range Climate Action
Group
Judith – 07792 690 278

See the Whalley Range Climate Action Group’s leaflet below on keeping warm, saving energy, and getting financial help for insulation and bills…

PDF  leaflet:    leaflet_A4_pgs1_2 leaflet_A4_pgs3_4


Click here for the June 2022 issue of the Whalley Range Climate Action Newsletter

NEWSLETTER June 22

 

 

 
March 2022
Local community groups and residents creating a MASS PLANTING OF SNOWDROPS in Alexandra Park Whalley Range Manchester yesterday.
We worked on this together because we want to COMMEMORATE THOSE WHO SUFFERED FROM COVID AND THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES, as well as the hard work of all those who cared for us during the pandemic. Planting snowdrops will CONNECT ALL OUR COMMUNITIES IN A COLLABORATIVE MEMORIAL to CREATE A CONTEMPLATIVE SPACE for us to remember the suffering and pain of loss every year.
Why Snowdrops?
Snowdrops flower in February, the time when the pandemic started in Europe, and once planted they will come back every year at that time as a living reminder. Snowdrops are pure white and tear shaped, symbolising grief, yet their arrival is often seen as the first sign of the returning spring and returning hope. This Curve will beautify the space permanently and expand every year as the snowdrops set seeds and spread under the trees.
A huge thank you to Avril from the Whalley Range Climate Action Group for dreaming of this, making it happen and organising the sun and to everyone who came out to plant snowdrops, including our MP Afzal Khan and our local councillors Aftab and Bano.

Newsletter May 21

May 2020 Update

The Whalley Range Climate Action Group would like to thank everyone for everything they are doing to keep people in our area safe and well and a special thank you to all the key workers who are doing so much for us all.
 
Although the Covid experience is terrible for so many people in so many ways we have seen some positive benefits for us and the climate, especially the reduction in carbon use, less pollution and more walking and cycling.  We have been using our air quality monitors to measure the air quality in Whalley Range and are delighted to report that the pollution levels have been inside the World Health Organisation safe levels all through the lockdown.  This is fantastic news for our health and our challenge is keeping the air safe as the lockdown ends.
 
A group of us have been studying the Amsterdam City Doughnut, a tool to make places ‘home to thriving people in a thriving place while respecting the wellbeing of all people and the health of the whole planet.’ We have been meeting every week to talk about how we could use the ideas in Whalley Range and the first step will be to make the Whalley Range Selfie. Watch this space for more details of how to get involved.
 
We are supporting the new Whalley Range Walk Ride group which will work to promote more walking and cycling in our area. 
 
We printed a newsletter just before lockdown, please text or ring Judith on 07792 690 278 if you would like a copy/ copies  posted through your door.  We  are really looking forward to meeting people again when it is safe.

Read the groups 1st edition Newsletter here:

WHALLEY RANGE CLIMATE ACTION GROUP NEWSLETTER final


 

Whalley Range Climate Action Plan 
Introduction 2
Our current emissions 2
General information about Whalley Range 3
Average carbon footprint of a UK resident 6
Strategies for carbon reduction in Whalley Range 9
Existing organisations, social networks and projects 10
Sources 15

Read in full below:

Whalley Range Climate Action Plan

_________________________________________________________

Whalley Range Climate Action Group upcoming meetings:

The Whalley Range Climate Action Group meet at  JNR8 Community Centre (back of Manley Park Church)

_____________________________________________________________

The Whalley Range Community Forum have produced the Whalley Range Community Forum Climate Emergency Statement and Strategies working document.
Read it here: WRCF Climate Emergency Policy and Strategies November 2019

_______________________________________________________________

Notes from the meeting on Sat 7 September from 11-1pm:

 

Blog for steady State Manchester on Whalley Range Climate action Group (WRCAG)

Climate change is a tricky subject. Some people deny it, are ignorant about it or think it is nothing to do with them. On the other hand, many are terrified by what a globally heated world will hold for them, their children and for the future of millions of our fellow humans. The Guardian newspaper suggests we intensify the very language we use with phrases like climate emergency, climate crisis and global heating instead of climate change and global warming.

However, both denial and terror risk confining us to a similar, paralysed, state of inaction, so that nothing changes. What are the paths out of this immobilisation?

A tiny group of residents in Whalley Range got talking about climate change. While we fully support the national and international actions of Extinction Rebellion/Friends of the Earth/Climate Justice and all the other efforts being made to promote real change, the phrase  Thinking globally and acting locally also spurred us to think about what we can do right now, right here, in our own locality of Whalley Range.

We started locally and small, using word of mouth to find fellowship, trying to remain humble and open to ideas. The group grew in size steadily and we now have dozens of interested parties. Initially, I thought we would be a kind of retrofit support group, trying to help each other get properly insulated, reduce our energy usage, become car free and work out better ways to have flight free holidays. It has become a lot more than that.

Conversation triggered us to act, and we began by extending those conversations into our community. We listened to each other and to the residents we met at our simple stalls at community events. In no time we had a presence at Celebrate, (an annual local festival), at Ecofest, an event run by a local church, at the Windrush event in a local park We joined in an inspiring Clean Air Day action, when streets were closed around schools to enable pollution free walking and most joyously of all free street play for the children. The sounds of birdsong, children playing and people chatting rose out of the car free silence.

What used to be taken for granted, safe walking and children playing out, has become a privilege, that took a huge amount of organisation and preparation to bring about and lasted for less than half a day. This has also reinforced the value of the kinds of conversations we are aiming to have. We do not instruct, but rather, ask Where are you up to with the climate change thing? and What would make Whalley Range a climate safe, buzzing, good place to live?

These discussions were interesting, challenging and produced actionable ideas about what is important here in our own community. Many people in Whalley Range are thinking about climate change, environmental degradation and pollution. They are fed up with the noise, danger and pollution from cars and the limiting effects this has. They feel the constraints: unsafe walking especially for children, asthma increased by pollution, litter everywhere. People were outraged by the plastics they feel they cannot escape, wrapped around everything, all the time. We found much common cause with many other local organisations such as the Whalley Rangers and local wildlife support groups. Many organisations whose prime purpose is not about climate change, for example, Age Friendly Manchester or the local Park support and Heritage groups, joined us in thinking that climate change is their business too and that they can act here in Whalley Range.

 It has been exciting to hear these perspectives, to take the street on Clean Air Day, and to discover that residents are willing to discuss these issues. It has made me a little braver to speak about climate change. This week, my lovely neighbour was in the street with two young relatives showing off their new cars. The cars were idling in the street, doors open, he showed me the clever seats. We had met on many occasions, so I felt able to turn the ignition key off and say idling cars are not good for us. I had the same conversation with the man sweeping the street who left his vehicle idling for 30 minutes while he had his lunch break.

Our next meetings will be opportunities to reflect on what we have heard, what our priorities are and to decide what our main actions should be. We think it is likely that not everyone in the group will want to work on the same things. Some will be interested in schools, educating parents and pupils, others in taking the streets away from cars, others in building consensus against plastics in supermarkets, schools and our shopping bags. Connecting with other organisations that work in our area including the National Health Services has been highlighted as a way to make our work more effective locally.

WRACG does not have a manifesto; our first leaflet simply explains who we are local residents working on what we can do about climate change, with a simple list of suggestions to help anyone reduce their impact on the planet. Reducing energy use, going flight free, consuming less, walking, cycling and using public transport, eating a mainly vegetarian diet are all important actions. Having a group of like-minded people around empowers us, to tell others what we are doing and to explore ways we can reduce our carbon emissions.

Another key action is to make our voices heard on this issue, wherever possible, in whichever organisations we are in contact with. Building connections between people will make Whalley Range an Abundant Community, where we know and value our neighbours through shared events and conversations. Then we will have a good life that is also a climate friendly life, here and now.

Massive policy change is needed, for sure, and governments must lead on the bigger changes. But if 10% of people get behind the need to reduce emissions drastically, that a massive opinion former and a strong message to local and central government, that will be hard to ignore. In the 18th century, rich landowners planted trees that they know they would never see to maturity but which are still enjoyed by many of us today. We can take a leaf out of their book and start planning for our descendants instead of just thinking about today and this week.

 WRCAG has only been active for a few short months. We will continue to reach out to all the members of our community…different ethnicities, religions, ages, interests. Climate change will damage all of us…we need to work for change together, here, where we live.

 

 

 

Whalley Range Community Map

Welcome to the third edition of the Whalley Range Community Forum Map – with an emphasis on physical and mental health and wellbeing and climate change.

This map was produced by the Whalley Range Community Forum at JNR8 and was part-funded by buzz Manchester Wellbeing Service.

New 2 page MAP A3_v4 (4)

About this map: its history and previous versions…

In Spring 2011 local people voted yes to the idea of a map to celebrate the unique place that is Whalley Range.

A U Decide grant was awarded and, along with generous contributions from local sponsors and volunteers, the map has come to life.

The 2nd Edition features the regeneration of Alexandra Park along with updated listings, new history items and more.

wr_dec13_map_small

The Whalley Range community map –  started out as a U Decide proposal by Fiona Nicholls of the Forum’s Health  & Sustainability group – and was successfully put forward to the community for votes for a share of a community grant in Whalley Range.
The first edition was produced in 2012 with a suggested donation of £1 – and any donations collected were fed back to the community groups and projects based at JNR8.
The map attracted a lot of interest – and a 2nd edition in 2013/2014 was funded by donations and sponsorship from local businesses.
The map exceeded all expectations in terms of how it was used: as well as an information resource (the map features stories and local history articles) the map was used by many of our community organisations and as part of our projects as a resource tool.
Our ESOL classes based some of their teaching sessions around the map with questions about the local area and a trip out identifying local key locations using a list of questions/directions – and a map to source the answers.
Maps have always been distributed at our community events and to new attendees to our classes and JNR8 events to help people to get around: when it was first produced it was not unusual to see people wandering around the local area armed with a map to locate some of the listed areas of interest with their children and visitors!
The Age-friendly Manchester launch featured a workshop from the Forum based around setting up an age-friendly network for older residents: the map was used to plan how to link up with people, as a ‘mapping’ exercise!
And for the Manchester Ageing Study – in partnership with the University of Manchester – the map was enlarged and used as a consultation tool for residents to identify where they felt safe, most visited areas, where benches should be sited etc.
The map – (along with several magnifying glasses for better accessibility!) – has always been a feature of  our community events.
Copies of the map were posted in advance to different EU countries to our 16 participants of the Grundtvig workshop.
Students stayed in Whalley Range with host families for a week and attended a training session on positive numeracy and literacy teaching in deprived European communities. The students arrived from Manchester Airport armed with their maps to locate JNR8 and their host’s homes!
So as you can imagine the map has been a fantastic well used resource – and we were delighted that in association with Age-friendly Manchester – Fiona and the team  produced our 3rd edition!
This version of the map focuses on mental and physical health and wellbeing, the age-friendliness of the area – and features local groups who are working with sustainability and green initiatives

 

Support for the Cost of Living Crisis

The Winter Warm Welcome Spaces website has been updated and relaunched so you can search for local spaces.

Find our JNR8 Community Warm Hub details here:


Cost of living advice line

We will share information from support agencies and community groups regularly on this page.

  1. News & Events
  2. Advice Line
  3. Whalley Range Climate Action Group advice
  4. Whalley Range Community Forum Cost of Living support leaflet
  5. Benefits, protecting your health
  6. Easy Read winter health advice
  7. Warm Hubs
  8. Other advice

 

Council support if you’re in financial difficulty

If you are struggling with your finances there are a number of different ways we may be able to support you.

Cost of living advice line

Need help with your food, debts, bills, benefits or to get online?

Request Cost of Living Advice  

Discretionary Housing payments

For residents who are entitled to Housing Benefit or the Housing Element on Universal Credit, discretionary payments may be available to help if you are struggling to pay your rent. Find out more and apply for Discretionary Housing payments

Discretionary Council Tax payments

If you are experiencing severe financial hardship through unusual circumstances discretionary payments may be available to you if you are struggling to pay your Council Tax. Find out more and apply for Discretionary Council Tax payments.

Furniture/White Goods

If you’re being resettled or supported to move out of temporary accommodation, the Welfare Provision Scheme might be able to help you with basic furnishings for your new home. No cash awards will be made available and, due to the limited funding available and high level of expected claims, only essential needs will be met, unless there are exceptional circumstances. All furniture or goods provided by the Scheme will:

  • Be of good quality
  • Be covered by a supplier warranty
  • Be delivered to and, where applicable, installed at the address provided
  • Meet all current regulations including fire protection; all electrical goods will conform to legislation relating to domestic electrical appliances within the UK.

Find out more and apply for basic items of furniture

Fuel Grants

This will be a one off non repayable grant of up to £49 to support residents with an emergency fuel purchase. This would be normally paid via a PayPoint payment that when collected at the retail unit is transferred to the utility account. Find out more and apply for a fuel grant

Travel Grants

Provision of a one off non repayable amount equivalent to the most economic cost of public transport to and from the resident’s home address for the first four weeks of employment (for example to purchase a bus pass). Find out more and apply for a travel grant

Cash Grants

This will be a one off non repayable grant of between £30 and £60 to support residents following an emergency or crisis. This would be normally received via a PayPoint payment that can be collected at a PayPoint retail unit. Find out more and apply for a cash grant

Free School Meals

Free school meals are available to all pupils in reception, year one and two. If you qualify for certain benefits you can get free school meals for your children all the way through school.  Find out more an how to apply for free school meals

https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200008/benefits_and_support/8335/discretionary_payments_and_grants 


 

Blue Divider

LOW-COST RECIPE BOOK IS HERE

HAF LOW COST RECIPE BOOK

This Easter, we can announce a free low-cost recipe book we have developed in collaboration with local NHS nutritionist Lucy Blackstone. Over the Easter holidays, we will be distributing over 20,000 copies to families in need across Manchester. We believe that no child should go hungry. We believe in widening access not only to activity, but to the knowledge of healthy eating and nutritious cooking for Mancunians young and old. With this recipe book, we hope to do just that. Eating well doesn’t have to break the bank, by sharing simple and affordable recipes, we can help families stretch their budgets further. Ensuring that everyone in Manchester has access to delicious and nutritious food, helping you become healthier and happier. View and download your copy of the book here.

To support Manchester residents through the cost-of-living crisis, Manchester City Council will be providing an advice line that will offer:

1. Support with benefits and help with your rent (this is an existing offer made available through the contact centre)

2. Advice about debt and paying bills (this will be done in conjunction with Citizen Advice Manchester)

3. Food support (residents will receive a call back to understand their needs and connected into a local food offer)
4. Support getting online (residents will be linked in with the Council’s digital inclusion team)

How to contact

The advice line can be accessed via a free phone number 0800 023 2692. The line will be open 9:00-4:30 Monday to Friday.

Agents on the phone line will have access to language line for those residents whose first language is not English
Sign Video will also be available for residents who may require this facility.

An on line form will be available at https://www.manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands for those who do not
wish to contact by phone.

The advice line will also have its own web page that will have links to information of how residents are
able to access support. https://www.manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands


Whalley Range Climate Action Group  energy saving information

 

 

PDF:    leaflet_A4_pgs1_2 leaflet_A4_pgs3_4


PDF Version (clearer with clickable links) WRCF Cost of Living leaflet Print

 

 

Manchester – Don’t let these two get in your way. We can all keep Manchester moving this winter with a free Covid-19 autumn booster and annual flu vaccine. Find out if you’re eligible and book yours today.  manchester.gov.uk/getmyjab

Struggling to pay energy bills, or at risk of being disconnected, contact your energy supplier. Gas & electricity suppliers can support you if you cannot afford your bill or owe them money. Check with your supplier to see what support they offer. manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands

Kitchen cupboards looking bare? Need help to stock the shelves & feed the family? Your local food bank, mobile food club or social supermarket can help. Find them at manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands Or call the Cost of Living Advice Line: 0800 023 2692 Open Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm

50 or over? Don’t let these two get in your way.  Get prepared for winter with a free Covid-19 booster and flu vaccine to keep you protected through the season. Find out how to book yours today.  manchester.gov.uk/getmyjab


Easy Read format Winter Vaccination and Cost of Living advice 

Winter Help Leaflet v4

Warm spaces are opening up across the city: a place to keep warm and save on energy costs, a place to get advice, a cuppa, spend time with others or enjoy some quiet time.


St Margaret’s Centre welcome you to their Warm Cafe every Thursday from 13th October-1pm-3pm, over the colder months.

We want you to be able to switch your heating off at home to help save on your energy bills.
Drinks and snacks will be available free of charge.
So come to keep warm, have a natter and a brew with us.
Any questions or if you’d like to volunteer please email stmargaretscentre1@gmail.com
Donations and bakes are also welcome.

Help for households

Energy Price Guarantee 

From 1 October 2022, the Energy Price Guarantee will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas so that a typical household in Great Britain pays, on average, around £2,500 a year on their energy bill, for the next 2 years. Beware of scams – there is no need to apply and you will never be asked for bank details.

This will save the average household at least £1,000 a year based on current energy prices from October and is in addition to the £400 energy bills discount for all households.

More information

 

 

 

Interpretation Board: Covid Commemorative Curve of snowdrops

The Snowdrop Curve film…

How did Covid affect you?  three events were organised earlier in the year for people to gather, discuss and write about their experiences through Covid…

Last year the Covid Commemorative Curve of Snowdrops was planted by people from Whalley Range, in Alexandra Park. The curve symbolises the ups and downs of the pandemic and the plants will make a green and living memorial, a place to reflect on the loss and pain that came with Covid.

This year we want to honour your experiences of living through Covid. We are organising gatherings where you can talk with others and share experiences. A local poet, Tony Curry, will work with you, to write and record your thoughts as poems.

Your words will be recorded and combined with songs performed by local schoolchildren to create a short film. The interpretation board QR code in the park will link to the film.

This will be a further commemoration of our responses to the Covid events.

GATHERINGS to talk and write; choose a date and time that works for you.

Tuesday 17th January 1045 to 1300 at the Pavilion Café in Alexandra Park.

Tuesday 17th January at 1715 to 1930 at British Muslim Heritage Centre, College Road M16

Thursday 19th January 1045 to 1300 at the Pavilion Café in Alexandra Park.

Booking not essential, just come along on your chosen date.

On Feb 11th 2023 at 11am come and see the curve of snowdrops in flower.

Tea and coffee will be served from the Park Lodge.

Why will local community groups and residents be creating a MASS PLANTING OF SNOWDROPS in Alexandra Park Whalley Range Manchester on March 12th at 10.30am?
We will be gathered together because we want to COMMEMORATE THOSE WHO SUFFERED FROM COVID AND THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES, as well as the hard work of all those who cared for us during the pandemic. Planting snowdrops will CONNECT ALL OUR COMMUNITIES IN A COLLABORATIVE MEMORIAL to CREATE A CONTEMPLATIVE SPACE for us to remember the suffering and pain of loss every year.
Why Snowdrops?
Snowdrops flower in February, the time when the pandemic started in Europe, and once planted they will come back every year at that time as a living reminder. Snowdrops are pure white and tear shaped, symbolising grief, yet their arrival is often seen as the first sign of the returning spring and returning hope. This Curve will beautify the space permanently and expand every year as the snowdrops set seeds and spread under the trees.
We hope you can report this for us and inspire others to plan their own Covid Commemorative Curve of snowdrops!

Celebrate Festival 2023 at JNR8

The Celebrate Programme is here!

Click the link below to download:

Celebrate programme-2023

Celebrate program-draft 5-2 (1)

There is still space left on our Willow Spinner and Singing workshops today (Wednesday 7/6/23)

Also spaces for our Thursday 8/6/23 Willow Spinner workshop and a workshop with Curious Crafty making Ojo De Dios with sticks and yarn…see posters below.

Please call or text to book – see number on posters 

Join us for a fantastic performance and some great workshops at JNR8 on the week leading up to the Celebrate Festival…and they are all FREE!

Celebrate Festival 2023 at JNR8

Saturday June 10th 12-6pm

Celebrate will be held at our base at the JNR8 Youth & Community Centre/Manley Park Church on June 10th 12-6pm – with lots going on inside and out!

More details coming soon – watch this space for news of our pre-festival workshops and details of our festival attractions and delights!

Celebrate festival – Getting involved

Hello All ☀️

The Celebrate festival organisers are requesting volunteers to help with this year’s event on June 10th at JNR8 Youth and Community Centre – with the theme ‘Energy’
If anyone is interested in getting involved, this could be in a range of ways:
– volunteering on the day e.g. a spell on the gate, volunteers food etc
-helping get paid adverts for the programme
– join the planning group
Please contact Carol – email carol.packham96@gmail.com –  if you would like to volunteer.
Thanks in advance ????
Also – if anyone is interested in hosting a community stall to promote your local group or pay a small fee to run a stall selling craft items etc – let me know and I’ll pass your details on to Lotte, the coordinator. ????
I would also like to run some pre-festival workshops at JNR8 – perhaps during half term and/or the week leading up to Celebrate. If anyone has any ideas for workshops or is/knows a local workshop facilitator/artists that could work with the theme ‘Energy’ please get in touch for more details.
Many thanks,
Chris ????
(Whalley Range Community Forum Development Worker)

Coming soon!

Due to changes in our budget Celebrate will now be held at our base, JNR8 Youth and Community Centre and Manley Park church…more details soon!

Please add this date to your diary!

June 10th 2023

Celebrate will be held at our base at the JNR8 Youth & Community Centre/Manley Park Church on June 10th 12-6pm – with lots going on inside and out!

More details coming soon – watch this space for news of our pre-festival workshops and details of our festival attractions and delights!