Community website for people living in and around Whalley Range Manchester
Category: Whalley Range Community Forum
The Whalley Range Community Forum (WRCF) is a voluntary representative residents group formed in 1995 to facilitate and improve communication between members of the community and those who serve/represent Whalley Range.
The Forum act as an umbrella organisation, bringing residents and local services together to address local issues, to promote consultation and community cohesion – and to encourage participation.
The Forum produces a bimonthly newsletter and residents meetings to address local concerns with Police, Councillors, local council and planning officials, sends out a regular email bulletins featuring opportunities, events and news to around 400 residents from Whalley Range – and co-facilitates an annual local community festival.
The Forum worker supports new and emerging groups to access funding to set up their own community groups, holds funds for unconstituted groups and addresses resident priorities by facilitating relevant classes at the JNR8 centre during school term times.
Classes and initiatives for the diverse local community include mixed and women-only ESOL classes, women fitness, Tai Chi, confidence building sessions, basic computer and work club support and art and wellbeing classes and afternoon tea for older residents. JNR8 is also registered as a Third Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre.
The community website features local news and events, consultation links, age-friendly news and current vacancies and opportunities.
NEWS: Government has announced only older people on Pension Credit will receive Winter Fuel Payment this year.
Pension Credit – Have you topped up?
To make the most of your retirement, claim what is rightfully yours.
If you’ve reached State Pension age, and your weekly income and savings are below £218 for a single person and £333 for a couple, you might be entitled to Pension Credit.
More than a third of people who qualify for Pension Credit aren’t receiving it – and you could be getting up to £1,000 extra a year. Even if you only qualify for a few extra pounds a week, it’s still worth applying, because Pension Credit can unlock additional support that could save you even more money on your Winter Fuel Payment, healthcare, rent and Council Tax.
To discover opportunities and find the role that’s right for you, either email joinmanchester@metroline.co.uk or click the link above to search opportunities on their website.
They require an enthusiastic and energetic Teaching Assistant, who is experienced in working with child with additional needs and offering 1:1 support, to work in their school.
Hours: 35
Salary: £24,027 pro rata
Closing date: 29 November
You will support access to learning and provide general support for the school in the management of pupils and resources, as directed by senior staff. You will work collaboratively with all staff and parents in order to support pupil wellbeing and to promote the five outcomes of Every Child Matters.
Hours: 30
Salary: £17,714
Closing date: 1 December
Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
In joining MFT, you will be supported to develop your knowledge and skills through the Support Worker Development Programme for Nursing Assistants that includes completion of the Care Certificate for candidates who have not completed this previously. The completion of the Support Worker Development Programme will give you the opportunity to progress into a Band 3 Nursing Assistant role. If you’re a more experienced Nursing Assistant seeking a new opportunity in a Band 3 role, you’ll undertake a skills analysis when you start to identify any gaps in your clinical skills knowledge needed for your role. You’ll then be supported to access relevant modules from the clinical skills programme to support your progression to a Band 3 post on completion.
Hours: Full time
Salary: £23,615 to £25,674
Closing date: 2 December
You will ensure that quality control measures and hygiene systems are all achieved at all times. To prepare, cook and present food to Patients in line with exceptional departmental standards, using fresh ingredients. To participate in the HACCP procedure in accordance with the Trusts Food Safety Policy and maintain correct use of records. To ensure that quality control measures and hygiene systems are always achieved. To have accountability for the day-today running of the kitchen service. To actively participate in the ongoing management and development of menus, in line with Trust guidance. To actively discuss ideas with the customer and obtain constructive feedback. To Maintain staff training records and supervisions in line with trust guidance.
Hours: Full time
Salary: £26,530 to £29,114
Closing date: 4 December
Oasis Academy Aspinal are looking for an individual who is committed to the care, wellbeing and supervision of the children and who will support and encourage play and welfare during the lunchtime period.
If you are interested in joining the Academy please complete an application form and return it by 12 noon Friday 6 December 2024 to Mrs J Schofield at admin@oasisaspinal.org.
Hours: Term time only
Salary: £23,656
Closing date: 6 December
This role offers a unique opportunity for an individual with an interest in, and passion for, sporting and/or social history to develop and deliver a heritage focussed capital project and outreach programme, helping to create a ground-breaking world-class heritage experience at Emirates Old Trafford (EOT) that reaches out to communities across the county of Lancashire and beyond. The role will be directly responsible for leading a team of Heritage Volunteers and, subject to a successful Delivery Phase application, will directly line-manage x 2 Community Engagement Officers and x 2 Customer Services ‘Welcomers’, ensuring the successful delivery of all onsite and community outreach / digital programming.
Hours: Full time
Salary: £40,000 too £45,000
Closing date: 11 December
You will support participants who have been out of work for at least 12 months in finding sustainable employment by understanding and supporting individual needs of each participant. This will include working with multiple internal and external stakeholders, to provide tailored support to each participant.
Hours: Full time
Salary: £28,500
Closing date: 31 December
The latest Save Our Club campaign updates, thank yous to those who have helped protect this amazing space and news on the next chance to meet the Carlton Club CIC Board .
You can donate to the GoFundMe & sign the petition through our Linktree . If you’ve done so already, thank you & we ask that you keep spreading the message and get others to do so too!
Thank you for your continuing support for the Save Our Club campaign. ????
We are pleased to let you know that, following discussions between our solicitors and the Building Company, we have successfully negotiated a six-week extension on the eviction notice (this had been due to take effect on 22 September).
During this extension period, further negotiations will take place. We will keep you updated on future developments. We have been blown away by the response of members and the wider community to our campaign to protect the future of the club.
To date, £22,112 from the GoFundMe as well as almost £3k from last Friday’s Fundraiser & the extras from T-Shirt sales, has been raised to support our legal fees and our petition has reached 7,095 signatures.
t-shirts and further merch are available over the bar, proceeds going to our legal campaign fund.
Please do support our upcoming fundraisers, which include:
27.09.24: Home On The Range: Never Can Say Goodbye
28.09.24: Back To The Funkin 80s
And more will continue to be announced…
This week our campaign reached national coverage in the Guardian
and The Manchester Mill has been covering the Carlton Club in their unique long-form, deep dive journalism, the latest piece published yesterday (21/09/24), worth a subscribe, if you don’t already.
Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we work through this matter.
The Carlton Club is a precious community asset and we are determined to protect its future.
Calling all our members, visitors, promoters, performers and patrons – please use your voice and share… it’s power in numbers and we must fight this together!
For 111 years, Rowan Lodge has been the home of the Carlton Club providing a welcoming environment for the people of Whalley Range to gather and socialise, fostering life-long friendships.
The Building Company has served us an eviction notice which we are challenging. The legal process will take at least 12 months – it is business as usual during this time but we must fight to preserve our long-term future.
Find more information about the eviction, the Carlton Club & how we plan to fight this case scan the QR code and see links below.
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:
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!
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.
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
Welcome to Greater Manchester Mature Minds Matter!
The purpose of our network is to ensure the voice of older people with lived experience of mental health are able to use their experiences to influence the transformation of mental health support across Greater Manchester.
We are here to join up existing networks and recruit individual members to act as experts by experience and leaders to inform issues around age-appropriateness, awareness, language, stigma, access and interventions. We aim to support and empower individuals and provide lived experience expertise to various projects across Greater Manchester such as complex emotional needs, eating disorders and self-harm.
We recently renamed our network from the Greater Manchester Older People’s Mental Health Network to Greater Manchester Mature Minds Matter.
We are always looking for people to join our growing network, so if you are interested and would like to learn more or have an informal conversation, please contact sophie@macc.org.uk or call
0161 834 9823.
Sport/Active Lifestyle
Support
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.
Local Residents BMHC Development Liaison Group (RBDLG)
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
and news on the next chance to meet the 
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