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

Public Meetings on Dementia

The final public meeting in this series from Chorlton and Whalley Range Dementia Action Group will be taking place on Thursday 30th March…

Services for People with Dementia

Thursday 30th March 7.15pm

Sally Ferris, Together Dementia Support, Mike Petrou, Manchester Adult Social Care, and GM Mental Health Trust will give an overview of services for people with dementia and their carers, how to access them and the problems that can arise and discuss what else is needed.

 

Chorlton and Whalley Range Dementia Action Group are holding 3 public meetings about dementia

on: Thursdays 16th, 23rd, and 30th March at 7.15

at: Chorlton Central Church, M21 8BF, on the junction of Barlow Moor Rd and Sandy Lane.

All are welcome and there will be refreshments.

Let’s Talk Clean Air in Whalley Range

We have an interesting workshop at our JNR8 Warm Hub next week!
Join the team from Let’s Talk Clean Air to talk about your ideas and solutions to air pollution in Whalley Range. You can register your place at
Eventbrite to stay in touch – and it’s also fine for people to just turn up.

 

Lets Talk Clean Air

Let’s Talk Clean Air update 

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 first video:
  • 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

The story so far…

A Whalley Range GP cycled to work taking air quality readings on the way.  She was shocked to see how high they were. She made a video about it with the Whalley Range Climate Action Group which attracted a lot of local attention.

We started hearing heartbreaking stories about local adults and children with respiratory diseases which may be aggravated by the poor air quality.

The Climate Action Group wanted to do something about it. So did Walk Ride Whalley Range and our local councillors. Solutions need to be as easy as possible and affordable for everyone. Our research showed that involving local people will be critical to success.

We want to know what you think. What drives or motivates you?  What barriers do you face? How can we make change work?

The big conversation

We have funding for a big conversation involving as many different people and opinions as possible, to work out how to improve air quality in Whalley Range taking everyone’s views into account. 

We will be running workshops across Whalley Range. If you, your group or organisation are interested in finding out more, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.

For more information:

Watch the video: What’s the Clean Air in Whalley Range project about? – YouTube

Email: TalkCleanAirWR@gmail.com

Tel: Judith on 07792 690 278

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

Twitter: @TalkCleanAirWR

Nello James updates

More information soon

 

We have been developing more detailed proposals for the redevelopment of Walton Cottage since we ran the public consultation event.

As part of our design work, we need to see what, if any foundations exist under the walls of the older buildings on site.

To do this we will be digging some trial pits on site on Tuesday 26th July.

To keep people informed I have put some notices on the site – copy attached.

Please feel free to share this pdf with any local residents who may be interested in what is going on.

On the main design, we are aiming to share, what we hope will be final proposals, in circa 2 to 3 weeks.

The proposals will go up on a mini website to allow for feedback.

We will do flyers and emails again to publicise the info.

A couple of weeks after this, we hope to then submit the formal planning application.

Best Regards

Patrick Sheridan

Senior Development Manager

T: +44 (0)161 974 6534

M: +44(0)7825177451

E:  patrick.sheridan@views.co.uk

W: www.views.co.uk

 

Council to seek a new developer and operator of UK’s first purpose-built LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care housing scheme

New LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care housing project in Whalley Range, South Manchester

 Scheme Updates:

The Council will begin the process to bring a new housing provider with extra care experience on board to deliver the new LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care housing project in Whalley Range, south Manchester.

A new competition will be held later this year and the successful housing delivery partner will be part of a tripartite strategic partnership with Manchester City Council and LGBT Foundation.

The housing association partner will own and be responsible for designing the scheme through a co-production approach with the Council and LGBT Foundation – alongside a Community Steering Group made up of local people in Whalley Range and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The housing association partner will manage the scheme, with care services commissioned by the Council, support provided to LGBTQ+ residents by LGBT Foundation and allocations agreed by a panel made up of all three partners – along with the care provider.

The Council had been in negotiations with Anchor, a national older person’s housing provider, around a land deal for the site on Russell Road in Whalley Range and to operate the LGBT majority Extra Care development.

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing, said:  

“The Russell Road scheme is a flagship, first-of-its-kind development that will create a safe and welcoming housing community for older LGBTQ+ people in Manchester – and we remain absolutely committed to delivering the homes the community needs.

“The three partners have agreed that the local management arrangements required to meet the specific needs of LGBTQ+ communities within Manchester mean there will be other organisations better-suited than Anchor to take it forward. The Council – in partnership with the LGBT Foundation – are in the process of seeking a new development and management partner for the Extra Care development.

“We would like to thank Anchor for their work on developing this scheme so far – including working with the Community Steering Group on best practice for this type of housing – and we look forward to seeing this important development come to fruition in the coming months.”

Dr Paul Martin OBE, Chief Executive of LGBT Foundation, said:

“We are as committed as ever on delivering the right extra care scheme for the LGBTQ+ residents of Manchester, and we will continue to work with the Council to find the most appropriate partner to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ people over 55.

“Our research clearly demonstrates that the needs of LGBTQ+ older people are still not being addressed, and this scheme will help to ensure that these inequalities are met.  We are hopeful of a speedy resolution and along with our Community Steering Group we look forward to forming a strategic partnership with the new provider, to put communities at the heart of the development of this ground-breaking scheme.”

Jane Ashcroft CBE, Chief Executive of Anchor, said:

“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to play a part in such a significant development for the LGBTQ+ residents of Manchester, which will also inform our approach on future work elsewhere. We very much look forward to seeing the development take shape.”

It’s Nearly Spring at Manchester’s LGBT+ Majority Extra Care Scheme

Hello and welcome to the next bulletin for the LGBT+ majority Extra Care Scheme in Whalley Range.

Spring is coming and so is our second pre-planning consultation event.

Our first public event went really well. We got some great feedback which has helped inform the more detailed proposals which we are looking forward to presenting at our next event on 16th February 2022. The proposals will also be available to view online from 16th to 23rd February 2022. More details are below.

Please let us know what you think because your views will be vital to make this development a success.

While Covid restrictions have relaxed, we want to continue to keep everyone at the event safe. Therefore, we ask that everyone who attends wears a mask if they can, they observe social distancing and have a negative lateral flow test.

New proposals brought forward for, LGBT+ majority Extra Care housing scheme

Second consultation to take place for the development of the former Spire Hospital site in Russell Road Whalley Range Manchester

Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, is seeking views once more from local residents at a consultation event next week ahead of a planning application submission for around 100 new affordable homes. The development is planned for the site of the former Spire Hospital in Russell Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, which was demolished in 2019, and the brownfield site has since remained vacant.

In partnership with Manchester City Council and a Community Steering Group led by LGBT Foundation, Anchor aims to develop an Extra Care scheme on Russell Road, Whalley Range, designed to be the UK’s first purpose built LGBT+ majority housing development exclusively for older people.

The first consultation event, which took place in January in person and online, presented the initial thinking for the proposed new development. At this second event, visitors will be able to view more detailed designs ahead of the planning application being submitted.

The proposals will deliver high-quality, inclusive new homes for older people and propose around 100 one- and two-bedroom apartments, in a brick building of three and four storeys. All homes will be designed for affordable rent and shared ownership, plus shared facilities including a restaurant/bistro, lounges, treatment rooms and landscaped outdoor amenity space plus parking.  Residents will be required to be aged 55 years or over, and the scheme will be inclusive of members and non-members of the LGBT+ community from Manchester.

The development seeks to minimise its carbon impact through a number of smart design measures to improve thermal efficiency throughout. Designs propose the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power and air source heat pumps, and installation of resource efficient equipment throughout the building, such as heat recovery ventilation systems and intelligently controlled LED lighting. The current target is to achieve an accreditation of ‘BREEAM Excellent’ for the new extra care housing scheme and will install electric vehicle charging points to a proportion of the residents’ parking bays. This will place the new development within the top 10 per cent of new builds in terms of sustainability both connected to the building and the setting.

Charles Taylor, Anchor’s Director of New Business, said:

“The first consultation was well attended and we got some great feedback. We’re looking forward to presenting our updated proposals for further views before we submit a planning application to Manchester City Council.

“At Anchor we have developed a strong reputation for delivering high-quality homes where people love living in later life. We share the collective ambition with Manchester City Council to create an exemplary, inclusive development on this well-located site in the heart of the Whalley Range community.”

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and employment, said: “It’s brilliant to see this project starting to move at pace. This is the second consultation for the LGBT majority extra care scheme and the feedback received has been really useful in developing the proposals that will go to planning in the coming weeks.

“We want this to be an exemplar for inclusive older person’s housing and to do that we need input from the communities that will eventually live there. This is a great opportunity to see how the development is progressing and we’d love to get as many people’s views as possible as we move into the next stage of the project.”

Paul Martin OBE, CEO LGBT Foundation, said: “LGBT Foundation is proud to have been involved in the development of the LGBT+ majority Extra Care scheme in Whalley Range since it was proposed some years ago. We were delighted to hear the overwhelming support for the scheme during the first consultation.

“The views of the local community are key to making this development a success and we encourage people to use their voice to help shape the future of this landmark project, to ensure it offers a safe and welcoming home for older LGBT+ people.”

The consultation will be held at Whalley Range Methodist Church between 2pm and 8pm, Wednesday 16th February. In addition to the in-person event, all the information presented will be displayed online at www.anchor.consultationonline.co.uk from 16 February 2022. Local residents will be able to provide their views via a feedback form at the event or online until 23 February 2022.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For further information, contact:

Sam Freedman / 020 3219 7956

Esme Roberts / 020 3697 7633

 

About Anchor

Anchor began more than 50 years ago and today is England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life.  It provides retirement housing to rent and to buy, retirement villages and residential care homes, including specialist dementia care. In total, Anchor serves more than 65,000 residents in 55,000 homes across almost 1,700 locations. Its residential care services employ the majority of the 9,000-strong workforce, providing services to residents at 114 care homes.  Anchor operates in more than 85% of local councils in England. For more information visit www.anchor.org.uk.

 

About LGBT Foundation

LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities. With a history dating back to 1975, they campaign for a fair and equal society where all LGBT people can achieve their full potential. Through their services, they reduce isolation amongst LGBT communities, help people feel more confident and in control of their lives and enable people to flourish. Together with LGBT communities and their supporters, LGBT Foundation are working to secure a safe, healthy and equal future for all LGBT people.

lgbt.foundation  | @LGBTfdn

What is an Extra Care scheme?

Extra Care schemes typically attract customers who are already living in the area that require more specialist accommodation to meet their personal needs; but do not require levels of wellness provision which justifies moving into a care home. This model is especially attractive to those who live on their own and may need some physical and/or emotional support; and it is also for those who want to live within a community of like-minded people.  The proposed development will therefore include specialist design features attributable to Extra Care schemes to enable residents to live independently in their own homes but with care and wellness services provided as and when required.

010222 Anchor Russell Road second consultation release, FINAL

 

Consultation to take place for development of the former Spire Hospital site in Russell Road Whalley Range Manchester

Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, is seeking views from local residents at a consultation event next week ahead of the application submission for around 100 new affordable homes planned for the site of the former Spire Hospital in Russell Road, Whalley Range, Manchester.
The hospital was demolished in 2019, and the brownfield site has since remained vacant.
In partnership with Manchester City Council and a Community Steering Group led by the LGBT Foundation, Anchor aims to develop an Extra Care scheme on Russell Road, Whalley Range, designed to be the UK’s first LGBT+ majority housing development exclusively for older people.
The proposals will deliver high-quality, inclusive new homes for older people and the initial plans propose around 100 one- and two-bedroom apartments, all of which will be for affordable rent and shared ownership, plus shared facilities including a restaurant/bistro, lounges, treatment rooms and landscaped outdoor amenity space plus parking.
Residents will be required to be aged 55 years or over, and the scheme will be inclusive of members and non-members of the LGBT+ community.
Charles Taylor, Anchor’s Director of New Business, said:
“At Anchor we manage over 55,000 homes nationwide, including locations in Manchester, and have developed a strong reputation for delivering high-quality homes where people love living in later life. We share the collective ambition with Manchester City Council to create an exemplary, inclusive development on this well-located site in the heart of the Whalley Range community.”
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and employment, said:
“This development is landmark for the LGBT+ community in Manchester, bringing some of the first housing targeted at older LGBT+ people in the UK. This consultation is an early opportunity to have your say about how this scheme should be developed and I would urge people to take this chance to help guide this project before a planning application is submitted later in year.”
Paul Martin OBE, LGBT Foundation CEO, said: “LGBT Foundation are delighted to be involved in the development of the UK’s first purpose-built LGBT-majority Extra Care scheme in Whalley Range. It is exciting to see the first consultation event happening as we move a step closer to shaping the design of the scheme which will offer a safe and welcoming home for older LGBT people.”
The consultation will be held at Whalley Range Methodist Church between 2pm and 8pm, Wednesday 12th January.
In addition to the in-person event, all the information presented will be displayed online at www.anchor.consultationonline.co.uk from 12 January 2022.
Local residents will be able to provide their views via a feedback form at the event or online until 19 January 2022.

 

https://anchor.consultationonline.co.uk/