Our approach to development plans and the Re:JNR8 process.
The Whalley Range Community Forum has a commitment to regularly reviewing and creating a development plan, based on the changing priorities of our diverse community. The plan identifies what we have achieved, the benefit the Forum brings as well as identifying areas for change and improvement.
We have a commitment to using a mixture of quantitative and qualitative information using participatory and asset based approaches, as the basis of ongoing review. We have increasingly utilised participatory approaches, aiming to increase representation, capacity building and a more accurate identification of priorities and assets.
Our first Development plan (1999) was carried out by a paid consultant, the two main priorities identified were for a resource building, and an administrative worker. These have both been achieved. The Forum 2002 W/R Community Network Development plan, was a mapping exercise compiled by our local community worker and provided a wealth of comparative data comparing facilities in W/R to those of neighbouring Chorlton and Moss side, the findings were used as the basis for community consultation meetings.
A major upheaval and much distress was caused by the unexpected death of our long-standing Chair, and link to many within our community, Bill Fatai Williams (29/12/2025). The loss of Bill highlighted the important of having trustees like Bill, who understood and took part in a range of activities at JNR8. In the community he excelled at listening to individuals and groups concerns and suggestions, and thrived on networking.
Annual General Meeting (10/4/2025) (12 people present, (including 4 out of a possible 10 trustees)).
Priority need identified for new trustees and separate regular trustees’ meetings
Trustees meeting (13/8/25) Through discussions about the submission of the OMVCS (sub. September 2025) we selected three categories that best described our organisations work as
Community hub/centre Mental Health and wellbeing support Community capacity building through partnerships.
Our selected 3 priority areas
Priority 1: Our people will: Be happy, healthy and active from childhood to adulthood.
Priority 3 Our people will: Be proud of our diversity feel valued and included , knowing they belong.
Priority 4.Our people will: Participate engage and influence decisions about their communities and neighbourhoods
Development Plan event agreed for Nov. 29th, and participatory appraisal approach to be used again, named Re:JNR8. Cyclical, evolving development plan process devised and started.
Forum’s 30 years celebration event (11/09/25)
The event gathered people involved with the Forum from its inception, partner organisations, previous workers, volunteers and MC members (28 people attended, representing 21 groups, 9 had not been involved in activities for many years,(3 (P= Pakistani) ,2 (A/C=African Caribbean) I (I=Indian) 2(A=African) origins)).This event and its ‘just a minute format’ gave the opportunity for 20 people ( plus others who sent statements) to briefly share their relationship with the Forum and the outcomes.
The 30-year event and the review of our work identified how important our partnerships had been with universities. This had included offering (paid) student placements, to hosting overseas groups, benefiting from University facilitated participatory research and evaluation (e.g. Researching Age Friendly Communities (University of Manchester 2015 ) and various student community audits (MMU)and involvement in the NW TakePart Network(MMU).
‘Don’t ever get rid of the Forum, its as good as you make it). Please keep going, stay strong, your value is not seen but felt, in the long term you will have made a difference in Whalley Range’. Mick Thompson one of founders of the Whalley Range Forum
‘Don’t take everything for granted’
Bill Wiliams Chair
WRC Forum general meeting Re:JNR8 continues. (8/01/2026)
draws in large number of people (27, 8 new to the Forum) (5 P, 1 AC,2 A origins) representing 20 groups) interested in envisioning for the future of Whalley Range and exploring the role of the Forum (and trustees).
OMVCS (Dec. 20025) Notification that our application for funding was likely to be successful.
WRCF Development Plan: