Local Covid-19 information and other news

Click the link below to find out more

A5 Flyer 102894 Omicron (1) Citywide easy read COVID info 12-15 year olds – A5

 

 

 

 

This project was established based on BMHC’s experience of working with young people belonging to the Pakistani Muslim and Bangladeshi Muslim Community. Young people had shown a reluctance to engage with the vaccination programme, and this project looked at the underlying reasons for this hesitancy and explore ways as to how the vaccination programme might be promoted.

https://bmhc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2021-08-27-Report-Covid-19-and-Young-People-FF.pdf


Read all the latest news and advice from the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

and the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

 


Archive

 

Information from https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

South East England: latest information and advice - Coronavirus (COVID -19) - Visit South East England

 

 

 

 


 

WRCF AGM documents

Priorities identified at the Forum AGM in 2023 – to be incorporated into the Development Plan

 

https://www.whalleyrange.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/WRCF-Development-Plan-2019-2024-final.pdf )

Whalley Range Community Forum Development Plan Action Framework 2022

 

AGM 2023 Minutes

WRCF AGM Mins March 2023 v1.0

Minutes of the last WRCF General Meeting

WRCF Mins Jan 2023

(Update from WR Let’s Talk Clean Ait and WRCAG as shared at the meeting)

Let’s Talk Clean Air update for community forum

We hope to see you our launch of the next stage of the Clean Air project to be held on Saturday 14th January at 2.30pm at St Edmunds Church

The launch will be an action packed afternoon. Get the first viewing of our short new film – it’s Whalley Wood!

There will be light refreshments and activities for children.  Bring family and friends. All are welcome! Please let us know if you’re coming  – ring, email or go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-talk-clean-air-film-launch-at-st-edmunds-tickets-483061198047

WE are delighted that Afzhal Khan will be there

Workshops looking at solutions will start on 15th January. Several organisations have already signed up. Please make sure yours does, as soon as possible; we are working to a tight timescale.

The workshop can be tailor made to suit your organisations needs eg part of your faith group service or activity! The film can be used to stimulate conversation and we have some exciting group activities to keep everyone engaged.  Send an email- TalkCleanAirWR@gmail.com, to let us know, if you want more information.

 Huge thanks to the community forum for support with managing the finances.

Our ask of you:

  • Keep in touch – email us if you would like our brief updates – TalkCleanAirWR@gmail.com
  • Come to the launch and invite your friends, family and neighbours Book now
  • Let us know if your organisation or group in Whalley Range might host a conversation about solutions? It might be your business, workplace, community, faith group, a school or GP surgery. Thanks to people who have already shared suggestions.
  • If you want to know more about becoming a Let’s Talk Clean Air Champion, get in touch. This group of volunteers will spearhead conversations about solutions in the New Year – there will be different roles to suit people’s skills and availability.
  • Watch and share our firstvideo:
  • Follow and share our social channels:

o   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkCleanAirWR/

o   Twitter: @TalkCleanAirWR

Email: TalkCleanAirWR@gmail.com

Tel: Judith: 07792 690 278

  • And most important keep talking about clean air !

Cazz, Alex and Judith

Snowdrop Covid Memorial Curve

The snowdrop curve palette dry Whalley Range people las year should flower in February so we have organised a series of gatherings for people to talk and write about their Covid experiences with a lovely local poet, and an event to come and see the flowers blooming on february 11th. All the details are attached, the gathering dates are below

[10:25, 07/01/2023] Avril Danczak: 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.


AGM notes 2022:

Notes WRCF AGM Feb 2022 (2)

Please see links below to the minutes of the last AGM, the agenda – which includes the nomination form for election of officers – and a shortened version of our Development Plan for review at the AGM.

We’ve included a guide to using Zoom on request.

The WRCF Annual Report and Treasurer’s Report will also be available soon.

WRCF AGM Mins 2020

Agenda and Nomination form for election of Officers for WRCF – Feb 2022 (1)

Shortened devel plan AGM Jan 2022 (1)

Zoom-Instructions-Notes

WRCF-Annual-Report-2021

 

Can you tell us what Alexandra Park Manchester means to you and your local community?

 

This stage of the Alexandra Park consultation is now closed. Thank you for your interest. If you have any questions, please contact the Park Ranger at madeleine.colledge@machester.gov.uk

Hello folks,
Park Ranger here from Alex Park!
Manchester Council are in the process of writing a development plan for Alexandra Park and would love to hear from local residents
about their aspirations for the park ????????
Tell us how you make use of the park, and how the space could better serve your needs via this 10 min survey: tinyurl.com/alexparkconsultation
Help shape the future of this beautiful community asset!
Many thanks.

 

Madeleine Colledge (she/her)

Park Ranger – South Area Team

Parks, Leisure, Events and Youth Service

Neighbourhoods Directorate

Manchester City Council

 

 

Whalley Range its history, health and wellbeing

Whalley Range is a diverse area of South Manchester in relation to housing type, the natural environment and population, of approximately 16,000 people. Made up of 6,500 households, over 1,000 children living in low-income families (5 times that of Chorlton) and over 2,500 people living in single households (twice that of adjoining Fallowfield).

We have the most ethnically diverse community in the city, with over 4,000 residents of Asian origin, 2,000 of African Caribbean origin, and other long-standing communities from eastern Europe, especially from Poland many arriving in the 1940s. As a result, 56% of school pupils have a first language that is not English, and we have a range of places of worship including Mosques, Sikh, Hindu and Hari Krishna temples and several Christian denominations.

The range of residential properties can be explained by our history. The area was first built on in 1836 when Samuel Brooks (born in Whalley, Lancashire) bought Jacksons Moss, an area of clay pits and peat bog, which he drained and built villas as “a desirable estate for gentlemen and their families” to escape the congestion of the city, with tree lined avenues, many with extensive sewers and drainage culverts. Whalley Range was one of Manchester’s, and probably the world’s, first suburbs. The area included farmland, large private estates and houses, large training colleges, and several churches.

By the 1960s many of the larger houses, some of which had been used as consulates, and residential homes, had become houses in multiple occupation.

 By the 80’s the area had a reputation as a red-light district. Some properties fell into disrepair, were demolished and now have blocks of flats, and some small private estates.

The range of housing types has resulted in a mixture of family types and sizes. Our area has one of the highest levels of rented accommodation in the city, most of it private but there are also several housing Associations, (one of which incorporated a housing cooperative) two of which run large supported living schemes for older people.

The housing types means that there is a high level of single person households with the risks of social isolation. Conversely in some areas of the ward families experience overcrowding and the stresses that can bring.

The diversity of the population and housing type means we have particular health and wellbeing concerns.

Ten percent of the population are deemed to be in need of ‘intensive support’ (e.g., in relation to smoking, alcohol consumption, stress and anxiety) (twice that of adjoining Chorlton).  In addition, we have twice the England average of deaths from coronary heart disease. Health inequalities within the black, Asian and minority ethnic communities have resulted in higher rates of mortality and morbidity from conditions such as diabetes cardiovascular disease, certain cancers such as Myeloma, prostate, liver and bowel cancer and mental health disorders. These communities have also been disproportionately affected by the Covid pandemic.

These particular health and wellbeing factors should direct the services in our area and encourage us all to make the most of and build on our assets.

The diversity of the ward also means that we have many assets.

Although lacking a central shopping area, we have several areas of shops with access to fresh fruit and vegetables, and several cafes and bars. There are five allotment areas, two parks, with Alexandra Park opened in 1870 designed to “deter the working men of Manchester from the alehouses on their day off”.  Manley Park being the site of Manley Hall, and then an underground air raid shelter for 500 people in the first world war.

Several large buildings have become schools, the former Aquarium (built 1872) becoming St. Bede’s College and the former College built in 1840 for the training of non-Conformist ministers, later becoming a trade union centre and now a community focused Muslim Heritage Centre. Many of these buildings, are protected by the conservation area, designated in 1991 following residents’ campaigns to protect buildings and trees.

Much of the terraced housing around Clarendon Road was built by Welsh labourers at the end of the 19th century to house the workers for Manley Hall, situated where Manley Park is now, they also built Calfaria (the Welsh Chapel), located beside Manley Park Methodist Church.

Whalley Range has a rich history in political activism and protest, particularly in Alexandra Park – where in 1892 60,000 people marched to the park in support of a shorter working week. In 1908 Suffragettes rallied for the right to vote. Today some of these traditions continue through campaigning groups on peace and justice and for action on climate change.

There are a wealth of local community and voluntary sector organisations, age friendly and youth groups – and local street mutual aid groups, providing the opportunity to  Connect with others locally and Keep Learning, be Active and Take Notice and get involved through activities and volunteering (Give). (See the 5 Ways to Wellbeing elsewhere on the Whalley Range map – new edition in progress).

Whalley Range: Our health and Climate Change

 

Our health and Climate Change

Our mental and physical health and wellbeing are closely linked to our environment, and the changing world around us.

We can aim to have more control over our lives, improving our health and that of our environment in many ways

Clean air

Cleaner air reduces chest conditions such as asthma. We can improve the quality of our air by driving less, stop idling when parked (especially outside schools), having traffic free street events, keeping our green environment, e.g., by tree planting( e.g by the Climate Action Group), and not burning unseasoned (undried wood) either in our homes or gardens.

Grow and eat local

It is a pleasure to be able to grow your own food, flowers, herbs whatever size of space you have.  House plants purify the air. Locally grown food tends to be fresher, have more nutrients, tastes better, is often cheaper, has fewer pesticides and herbicides, reduces packaging and transport costs and emissions.

Being outside provides you with essential Vitamin D from sunlight and gives you important exercise in your ‘green gym’. Being outside boosts our mental health within 5 minutes.

Eating meat only once or twice a week will allow farmers to rear animals in more sustainable and humane ways, reduce carbon emissions and make you healthier too.

Exercise

Not using a car is good for our health, by breathing fresh air, being out in nature, taking more exercise, and having more social interactions. Not only does this reduce carbon emissions it makes us feel good too!

The Walk Ride Group is working on ways to reduce speeding, prevent the blocking of pavements and help people feel safer cycling

The Age Friendly group installed benches to have a rest while exercising.

Chemicals

Reducing the use of chemicals both within our homes, gardens, and community Is good for our health and the environment. Chemicals washed into water courses and environment can aggravate eczema, allergies and asthma, affect our fertility and damage fish and other creatures.

The Whalley Rangers, in partnership with the City Council, have undertaken to remove unwanted weeds from pavements, instead of spraying harmful herbicides.

Welcoming everyone

Whalley Range has a long history of welcoming people to play their part in developing the city, resulting in a diverse community. From the workers who moved into the city from the surrounding rural areas in the 1800s, through to people fleeing the effects of war, famine, and climate change.

Some buildings and organisations link to this fascinating history and reflect our diverse community and offer a range of health and wellbeing activities.

Mental health

We have many supports to good mental health  e.g. lovely parks, sports clubs. The CELEBRATE festival and other local events, bring uplifting music, neighbourly connection and encourage people to get involved with things.  Joining a club, or group, along with volunteering is a powerful protector of good mental health. Young people are supported by WRYOA, and Community on Solid Ground who provide activities . During Covid a network of mutual aid groups were set up linking people with their neighbours using technologies new and old.

Parks and open spaces

Our parks are vital for health…green spaces are calming and rejuvenating, allowing access to exercise, sports, volunteering, interactions, events, and clean air. Sunlight exposure improves our vitamin D levels (vital for strong bones muscles and good immunity) .Trees are valuable stores of carbon and help to reduce climate change. In built up areas our parks are vital for wildlife.

International Day of Older Persons events in Whalley Range!

The day was a great success: people joined us on the climate action walk – then back to JNR8 for our event.

Thanks to Jane from Whalley Range Climate Action Group and Anthony Morris for some great photos of the walk and event!

We had:

  • flu jabs,
  • health checks,
  • arts and crafts for wellbeing,
  • Whalley Range Climate Action Group
  • resilience coaching
  • I.T advice,
  • entertainment,
  • soup
  • information stalls.

Thanks to Anthony Morris for photos, Jane from the Whalley Range Climate Action Group, buzz, Chorlton Good Neighbours, Manley Pharmacy, Be Well, Manchester Cares, Central Manchester Falls team, Lotte (crafts), Steve (music) – and everyone who came along to help and to make the day a great success!

Thanks to Ambition for Ageing  for the funding!


 

We are really pleased to be holding a couple of events for International Day of Older Persons on Friday 1st October this week​ at the JNR8 Youth & Community Centre in Whalley Range​: see the poster ​for details.

We will make sure the building is well ventilated and follow covid-safe guidelines.
The events are organised by Age-friendly Whalley Range, the Forum and partner organisations – and are aimed at older members of the community to mark the day, to welcome people back to our community centres – and to make a stand against climate change as older people.
We have made some placards with slogans about issues that concern us – and we will meet at JNR8 at 10:30 am for a short walk ​around the age-friendly benches route – displaying actions we can take to address climate change and to show older people’s concerns as we approach the UN Climate Change conference in November.
At 1:30pm we have an age-friendly community event at JNR8 with information stalls from partner organisations, taster sessions of the exercise and activities we run at JNR8 for older residents, refreshments and some entertainment.
Lotte will run an arts and crafts activity for those who are interested.
Manley Park pharmacy will be giving flu jabs in one of our side rooms – and Debra will give short one-to-one well-being coaching sessions for people who are feeling anxious about going out/meeting people and who may be worrying about the uncertainty of the covid situation.
The event will be smaller than our usual events for covid-safety and we do have a travel budget for people who might struggle to get here for various reasons – so can refund taxi fares (please ask for receipts)
We look forward to welcoming you!

See our Climate Action slogans here:

slogans 2