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.

Follow @WhalleyRangeorg and @AgeFriendlyWR on Twitter

JNR8 Youth & Community Centre, 82 Cromwell Avenue, Whalley Range, M16 0BG

Tel: 0161 881 3744 | Email: communityforumwhalleyrange@gmail.com agefriendlywhalleyrange@gmail.com

Did Muslim soldiers really fight for Britain in WW1?

Press Release

15th January 2016

For Immediate Release

Did Muslim soldiers really fight for Britain in WW1?

2016 sees the official opening of the Stories of Sacrifice exhibition, dedicated to the bravery and sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of Muslim soldiers who fought for Britain in World War One (WW1).

From recruitment to burial, the exhibition developed by the British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) and part funded by the Community Covenant, gives an insight into the selfless sacrifice of Muslim soldiers, who valiantly fought for the freedoms and privileges that we take for granted in Great Britain today.

Greater Manchester Lord Lieutenant Warren Smith will officially launch the exhibition during the exclusive Annual Gala Dinner at the British Muslim Heritage Centre, in Whalley Range, Manchester, on 15th January 2016.

Master of Ceremonies is set to be BBC Radio leading light Talat Awan, who will be joined by a host of dignitaries, including the interim Mayor of Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd.

Complete with a virtual library, lesson plans and a toolkit for schools, this exhibition is the first long-term exhibition of its kind, devoted solely to exemplifying the Muslim community contribution and sacrifices during WW1.

Located in the heart of a diverse and developing Manchester, it will provide a stimulating platform from which to discuss and celebrate Muslim identity, belonging and contribution, not only to the region, but to the United Kingdom as a whole.

400,000 Muslim Soldiers from India fought for Britain in WW1, in addition to a further 280,000 Algerians, Moroccans and Tunisians who fought for the allies. At least 89,000 Muslims were recorded as having given their lives for this country.

It is a little known fact that 20% of British Empire recruits were actually Muslims. What an unbelievable commitment and sacrifice. We British owe a lot to these forgotten heroes.

BMHC Chairman, Nasar Mahmood has commended his staff on an excellent achievement, stating that This is not the complete or final exhibition, it is simply the start of a journey of education and enlightenment. Ultimately towards a more cohesive society, founded on mutual respect and collaboration.

At a time when the Muslim Community is continually in the media spotlight, with some in society calling into question their loyalty to British values and to the British way of life, this initiative will go a long way to finding some tough but common ground.


(Muslim soldiers praying at Woking Mosque November 1915)


Indian Army troops reading English Newspaper on the way to

Mesopotamia

ENDS

For further information, contact: Ashraf Ali, BMHC Project Manager, College Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8BP, email: ashraf.ali@bmhc.org.uk , 0161 881 8062, 07545853126.

www.bmhc.org.uk

www.storiesofsacrifice.org.uk

Deaf Black Minority Ethnic Project

DEAF Project

The team are also seeking a speaker for this event!

Please get in touch if you can help!

New_DEAF_Logo_small_2014

Deaf Education Advocacy Fellowship (DEAF) is very excited to announce the launch of the Deaf Black Minority Ethnic Project.

This project aims to provide an opportunity for the BME communities of Trafford and the wider Greater Manchester area to engage and receive accessible information on core issues in the area. The project hopes to raise awareness of services and facilities that can improve the lives of deaf and black ethnic minorities who live in the area.

Do you live in the Trafford or Greater Manchester area?

Would you like to be part of a network of people supporting BME issues?

The sessions will offer a unique opportunity to access information; meet other people and watch presentations by brilliant guest speakers whom we have organised.

Different topics will be discussed at each session and those attending will decide what is on the agenda for each session.

For example, housing issues, domestic violence, social care, disability services, learning disability support, hate crime, family support, counselling, isolation and social activities.  The session will also be able to sign post you to find the right services within Trafford/Greater Manchester.

Deaf BME individuals and communities traditionally have faced many barriers preventing access to information and services, in-part due to communication needs not being met. In working with multi-cultural groups, we aim to break down and remove these barriers, providing more knowledge and awareness. We are an organisation that strongly believes that Deaf people from diverse and different cultures should have access to information without feeling isolated or ignored.

Our BME service has a well established three year track record of running projects which provide services and events on a monthly basis. We also provide services for Education, Employment, Benefits, and Welfare to Work.

Please click on the link below which explains all about the BME project and you can see the British Sign Language Video with audio:

http://www.deaf-fellowship.org/trafford-deaf-bme-project/

Hosting our session on Friday 22nd January 2016, 2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. at Harry Lord House, Humphrey Road, Stretford, Manchester M16 9DF.

Please email or text 07544 310 458 with any queries or concerns and to reserve your place.

Junior Adminstrator

Abdullah Patel

E-mail: Abdullah@deaf-fellowship.org
Web: www.Deaf-fellowship.org
Phone: 0161 945 6058

Helping victims find the support they need

Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd has launched a new website for victims and survivors of crime in Greater Manchester.

The website brings together information about victims services and the criminal justice system under one roof. People can call a helpline, read practical advice and information, or search an online directory to find details of a local support service. All at a time that suits them and regardless of when the crime took place or whether it was reported to police.

The website can be found here: www.gmvictims.org.uk

The website officially launched on 22 October 2015. This is the first version of the site, feedback is being invited from people who have been a victim of crime and other key stakeholders to make improvements in the coming weeks and months.

Putting victims of crime at the heart of service design and delivery
Tony is responsible for commissioning services for victims and survivors of crime in Greater Manchester. This website is just the first step in a journey which designed to radically transform the way victims services are delivered in Greater Manchester, putting victims and survivors of crime at the heart of service design and delivery.

If you would like more information, or have any feedback on the site, contact Kate Leach on 0161 793 3020 or email: info@gmvictims.org.uk.

(News report from Manchester Community Central)