Our group was formed as an organic response to development proposals shared at an event at the British Muslim Heritage Centre in November 2021. The group consists of local residents who have concerns about the negative impact that possible over-development of the College Road site will have on our local environment and the quality of human and animal life in the area.
We are a multi-faith, multi-racial group that includes users and non-users of the current BMHC centre. Many of us have actively chosen to live in Whalley Range because of the diversity and tolerant attitudes of Whalley Range people. We have also chosen to live here because we appreciate the benefits of the conservation area in Whalley Range where overdevelopment has historically been controlled and the local ecology, tree population and wildlife have been protected for many decades.
Some of us are direct neighbours adjacent to the site of the British Muslim Heritage Centre and have experienced unacceptable noise, traffic disruption and air pollution resulting from current activities at the centre. We recognise the value of BMHC to regional and local Muslim and non-Muslim communities, and that the BMHC faces significant financial demands from the heavy maintenance costs of preserving the Grade 2* listed building. We understand that BMHC is looking to the development of the College Road site as a means of meeting these financial demands. Our goal as a local residents’ group is to work with BMHC towards a sustainable and appropriate development of the College Road site which balances BMHC’s aspirations at the same time as it enhances the unique character of the Whalley Range conservation area.
We believe we are important stakeholders in our local area, the place where we live – and should be recognised as such by local government and local businesses and other organisations.
We believe that planning decisions should be transparent and accountable and should enhance the health and wellbeing of local residents at the same time as meeting the needs of the organisation proposing the development. So, we are here to collaborate and ensure our voices are heard.
We are an informal group of about 170 people who have a steering committee of about 7 people.
The Whalley Range Community Forum have drawn together ‘a Statement of Intent’ for solidarity, support and actions within our community. We aim to share the statement with as many people as possible within Whalley Range, via local groups, mutual aid/street groups etc.
Many of us are feeling vulnerable, shocked and angry about recent events and the ongoing situation.
Our common aim is to strengthen relationships in our community and to feel reassured by working together.
This page on our website is dedicated to the Statement of Intent and this action – and if any groups would like to share the actions they are taking, please email WRCF – and we will add to the page.
The page will also feature links to wider support and information.
Please send this message through all your networks and share with others
Wider community statements and support links coming soon…
A message to communities from Greater Manchester Police
We understand the uncertainty and worry that people are feeling about current tension, much of which is being fuelled by the widespread sharing of misinformation online which is sometimes being created with the purpose of creating fear and inciting intolerable hate.
Our advice to communities is to remain calm and to try to go about your everyday life. GMP continues to monitor the intelligence to ensure we can respond effectively to any incidents of disorder. And, if we believe there needs to be specific information about anything emerging we will tell people and offer advice.
We are heavily resourced, and we have specialist officers and staff who are working around the clock to tackle these issues and ensure our communities are supported. We are speaking to community leaders and elected representatives regularly to make sure they are apprised of all planned protests known to GMP. People living safely and peacefully, do not deserve to be frightened: we are here to protect you, and we will use all resources and capabilities to do so.
Our message is clear: there is no place for hate in Greater Manchester. If you come here to willingly participate in disorder and crime, we will be at your door, ensuring you answer for your crimes. We will police without fear or favour and use all resources and powers available to ensure those involved in this disgraceful behaviour are dealt with robustly.
This has been demonstrated with our relentless pursuit of offenders, many of whom have been arrested not only in Greater Manchester, but with the support of police colleagues across the UK and we have made crucial arrests in West Yorkshire and Lancashire.
To date, we have made 26 arrests for a variety of offences including assault, violent disorder, possession of weapons, and 20 have been charged. There is work to be done, and we will not relent until we have systematically located and dealt with all those responsible.
We ask that you remain vigilant. If you see something, or hear something, that does not feel right, report it to us so we can act.
All information and reports will be handled with the utmost severity and sensitivity. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, information can be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111. We don’t need to know who you are; we just need your information and concerns.
These are challenging times, but we are immensely proud to see the majority of our residents standing together and condemning this unacceptable disorder. Your unwavering support has not gone unnoticed.
ComeandvisitJNR8atthetimeslistedbelow – toseethewonderfulworkcreatedaspartofthisyear’sWhalley Range Celebrate Festival!
Featuring work from our pre-festival workshops, the Festival day, previous festivals – and including creative creations from Manley Park Church and other local artists!
Come and join the Communi-Tea Party on Saturday from 12-3pm for art, music and food!
Celebrate Festival 12-6 pm onSaturday June 8th 2024!
Celebrate will be held at Manley Park on June 8th 12-6pm – with lots going on for everyone!
Click below to view the Celebrate Programme for 2024
Workshops,2 stages of Live Music,Displays,Performance,Market & Information Stalls,Inflatables,Climbing Wall,Food & Drink, Health & Wellbeing, Age-friendly information,Cost of Living and housing advice, Health checks, Tai Chi,Environmental & Climate news, meet MCC Neighbourhood Team, Face painting, Henna, Community Groups,Big Bike Revival Fix & Ride area: Win a Bike! and of course plenty of… ICE CREAM!!
Plus lots, lots more!!!
We also have some free pre-festival workshops and a performance for you to attend! Come along to create something to display at Celebrate on June 8th
Our theme this year is ‘Crossing Oceans’
At the festival, immerse yourself in artist Lotte Karlsen’s “Oceanic Currents” installation – large turquoise fabric panels evoking the powerful, yet serene flow of the sea’s perpetual currents suspended from trees. This ethereal fabric atmosphere draws from the delicate, minimalist beauty of traditional Japanese ink wash paintings depicting marine environments.
The festival atmosphere is further enlivened by Karlsen’s eye-catching promotional poster, vividly blending a traditional Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock style with modern, swirling waves in brilliant hues reminiscent of the island nation’s legacy of vivid mineral pigments.
Watch this space for news of our pre-festival workshops and more details of our festival attractions and delights!
We are always looking for Volunteers…
Celebrate festival – Getting involved
Hello All
The Celebrate festival organisers are requesting volunteers to help with this year’s event on June 8th at Manley Park – with the theme ‘Crossing Oceans’
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
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 – contact Verity – the Celebrate Coordinator – at celebratewhalleyrange@gmail.com
Whalley Range Community Forum and Whalley Range Youth Opportunity Association invite you to join them at
Celebrate Festival 2024 ‘Crossing Oceans’
Saturday 8th June 12 noon – 6pm
Manley Park, Clarendon Rd, Whalley Range, M16 0AS
June 8th is UN Day of Oceans and our theme this year is ‘Crossing Oceans’, celebrating the diversity of Whalley Range and exploring wider climate issues. We look forward to seeing how our artists, performers and stall holders explore these ideas.
This is the 27th Celebrate Festival and our principles remain the same.
We bring together a wide range of community partners in Whalley Range to put on an exciting day of free activities celebrating the very best of our fantastic community, with a focus on fun, creativity and wellbeing, but also looking at serious issues. In the run up to the event we run workshops and pop up events in schools and a wide range of community settings.
The festival is run by volunteers from the community and staff from WRCF and WRYOA, working with partners from other local groups, businesses, schools and statutory services. However we are grateful for the professional assistance of our project coordinators and artists.
Our Festival Coordinator this year is Verity Gardner and our Music Programmers are Chia Norris and Ben Price.
The festival is made possible by donations from individuals and local businesses, fundraising by volunteers and grants from funders including National Lottery Awards for All and Manchester City Council.
The Aims of Celebrate:
To celebrate the talent, diversity and resources of Whalley Range
To promote positive image and improve quality of life in Whalley Range
To encourage participation of different communities within the area and work from an anti-discriminatory framework.
Celebrate is a separately constituted sub group of Whalley Range Youth Opportunities Association, an organisation made up of representatives of local groups e.g. Friends of Manley Park, WRYOA, Whalley Range Community Forum and others.
Celebrate Festival is our annual volunteer led event held in Whalley Range – traditionally on May Day.
See what the community thinks about Celebrate – and take a look at photos, videos, posters and programmes from Celebrate over the years – all the way back to 1998!
The aims of the group are to:-
– Celebrate the talent, diversity and resources of Whalley Range
– Promote a positive image of the area and improve the quality of life
– Encourage participation of the different communities within the area,
– Work in an anti-discriminatory and inclusive way (i.e. be low cost and barrier free).
The event is held in partnership between Whalley Range Youth Opportunities Association and the Whalley Range Community Forum.
We are committed to working with everyone in the community – especially newly established groups who have been supported to develop by the Forum and that all groups are represented to celebrate our diversity and showcase our local talent, building and maintaining links across the community.
We strive to challenge any negative perceptions people may have with regard to Whalley Range by encouraging active cross cultural community involvement in our age-friendly festival events, workshops and activities,strengthening community cohesion and encouraging participation from residents from all of the diverse cultures that exist within our ward.
A consultation was circulated about Celebrate: some of the responses are below.
Q1: How does the Celebrate Festival bring the Whalley Range community together?
Q2: Why is an event that brings members of a very diverse community together important?
An event which caters for all ages, young, old and in-between! One that has activities that are attractive to a wide range of cultures and interest groups.
Something for everybody. One of the highlights of the Whalley Range year.
Whalley Range has a diverse society, lots of religions and cultures and Celebrate Festival reflects this.
it brings rich, poor, middle-class, working-class, young and old together and those from other ethnic minorities besides English.
This is an opportunity for the vast number of small voluntary and community groups to showcase what they are involved in and promote their activities.
It a chance for neighbours to get together in an informal way. With so many people leading busy lives, it really wonderful to see everyone from across the community in the same place enjoying the activities, information sharing and each other company.
Community cohesion and integration must be encouraged to avoid people feeling isolated, abandoned and rejected. Events like this promote community cohesion.
In diverse communities like Whalley Range it is often not the case that people from the diverse range all get along. Often the different groups are isolated from each other and never really mix. Events like this are a good way to get people from the wide range of groups to talk to each other and share commonalities as well as celebrate difference.
It inclusive, everyone has a chance to get involved and it a chance to participate in free workshops
Celebrate is an ideal platform for local community groups to host a stall to promote themselves and get people involved in having a say in their community
The Whalley Range Community Forum, MICRA, Manchester University and Age-friendly Whalley Range/Chorlton provided lots of information, activities, refreshments, arts and crafts and entertainment at this year Celebrate Festival on July 16th 2016 at Manley Park. Read the Report here: age-friendly-marquee-celebrate-reportRead More…
Celebrate 2015 Festival Report “Our 18th Celebrate Festival took place on Saturday June 27th, 2015, with the theme Light up Your Life – in recognition of the global International Year of Light Festival 2015. We are grateful to Rev. Robert Boulter for agreeing to let us hold Celebrate 2015Read More…
Firstly: Thank you so much to everyone who pledged their support! The community response to our crowdfunding project to fund some of the Celebrate Festival costs for 2015 was amazing! We raised an incredible £2,326 in pledges from members of the community, businesses and local groups! This went towardsRead More…
We have reached our Spacehive crowdfunding target! Thanks to all of our fantastic supporters. Report coming soon! Whalley Range Community Forum Whalley Range youth Opportunities Association Your Housing Group: Cash4Communities Rev. Robert Boulter: St Margaret Centre & Playing Fields Arawak Walton Mosscare Housing Group Read More…
To celebrate International Year of Light, we have six themes to the Festival Performance/Information stalls/marquees/displays: The light fantastic: dance, performance, music, movement, exercise, visual light show the light touch: technology, computers, photography, healing and therapy, health and well-being I see the light: celebrating diversity: representation from all of the faithRead More…
Q1: How does the Celebrate Festival bring the Whalley Range community together? Q2: Why is an event that brings members of a very diverse community together important? • An event which caters for all ages, young, old and in-between! One that has activities that are attractive to aRead More…
We are launching our Spacehive Crowdfunding project for Celebrate very soon! See the preview of the Celebrate Anthem above! And here are the lyrics so you can sing along!! “We’ve danced, jumped, skipped, drummed, played, talked and sang, eaten, shared, joked, laughed, made food, music, conversation and plans, Climbed
This Directory aims to reflect the wide range of work and activities carried out locally.
The Directory features Age-friendly information and work delivered in Whalley Range, Chorlton and Chorlton Park to support Manchester City Council’s Age Friendly Programme.
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…
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
Cost of Living
Advice Line for Cost of Living Crisis Support
To support Manchester residents through the cost-of-living crisis, Manchester City Council have an advice line that offers:
Support with benefits and help with your rent (this is an existing offer made available through the contact centre)
Advice about debt and paying bills (this will be done in conjunction with Citizen Advice Manchester)
Food support (residents will receive a call back to understand their needs and connected into a local food offer)
Support getting online (residents will be linked in with the Council’s digital inclusion team)
Open 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Phone free0800 023 2692.
The person you speak to will have access to language line for residents whose first language is not English. Sign Video will also be available
Every library in Manchester is a warm space; a free, welcome, safe space which residents of all ages can come in and stay all day with lots of resources and support, such as:
Hot drinks. The self-service hot drinks are free.
Comfy seating and spaces for all ages.
Free internet and free wifi
Newspapers.
Information and advice.
Digital drop-ins one day a week.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice Manchester offers free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects. Find out more on the Citizens Advice website.
Help your family stay healthy and apply for your prepaid Healthy Start card
For more information and to apply to the NHS Healthy Start scheme, visit: www.healthystart.nhs.uk Or call the on 0300 330 7010
Lets Get Digital
As the cost of living crisis continues, the MCC Digital Inclusion team want to share the support they can offer to residents who are struggling.
They also offer free telephone support to people who have internet access at home, but don’t have the skills or confidence to use it effectively. To access this free support,
Text: 07860 064128 or
Email: digitalinclusion@manchester.gov.uk
Digital exclusion is far more likely to affect those on low incomes, can cost
households up to £560 per year from the missed savings of shopping and paying bills online, and will negatively affect earnings. People with higher digital skills earn 3-10% more than those with low skills, make greater savings online and can access public services more easily. They believe that digital inclusion is an essential part of the response to the cost–of–living crisis. Please get in touch or see our website to find out more: www.letsgetdigitalmanchester.com
The Growth Company launched this initiative to support GM residents with the cost of living crisis. Max Your Money allows residents to easily understand what services they offer which can help them maximise their income whether it is finding employment, securing an additional job, gaining new skills to secure a better job or accessing support to develop their business.
They are working with a partner network which includes Citizen’s Advice, Trussell Trust & GM Poverty Action who will promote their offer to their customers, many of whom are accessing advice services for the first time.
Winterwise, A new guide to keeping well during winter
The Greater Manchester Ageing Hub has partnered with national older person’s charity Independent Age to launch Winterwise, a new guide to keeping well during the winter period.
More than 325,000 printedguidesarebeing distributed across Greater Manchester. The guidebrings togetherkeyinformationfor older peopleoncost of livingsupport with messages focusing on three themes: ‘Stay warm’, ‘Stay safe’ and ‘Stay well’.
‘Stay warm’: Providing information about the financial support that older people could access to help them with rising energy costs
‘Stay safe’: Focusing on home safety advice for older people, including fire safety, how to spot and report scams, and what to do if they fall
‘Stay well’: Tips and advice on mental health and wellbeing, eating well and keeping active
To get a physical copy please look out for local distributions such as at libraries, pharmacies, warm hubs and more, or call Independent Age on 0800 319 6789.
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.
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
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.
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.
