Sign up for our March/April 2022 Boost Resilience course…
Contact us at communityforumwhalleyrange@gmail.com if you’d like a place on the course
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
What’s On
Chorlton Open Gardens
Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Greater Manchester
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June 2022
11.00am to 5.00pm
A large range of gardens will be open, plus community gardens, allotments, a shared alleyway, a roof garden and local nursery. Unearth ideas for sustainability and attracting wildlife. Learn about creative ways to divide small spaces.
Refreshments on sale in some gardens, plants and crafts in others.
Proceeds from programmes to charity Freedom from Torture, individual refreshments etc to local and African charities and FfT.
Cost
£5.00 per adult, accompanied under 13s free.
How to get event passports
Programmes (entry ticket) on sale from mid-May and on the day itself at Creative Recycling (Beech Road), Chorlton Plant Nursery (Vicars Road) and Unicorn Grocery (11.00am to 2.00pm)
Number of gardens
Approximately 22 gardens will be open, but the total may vary from day to day – please contact the organisers if you need exact numbers.
Contact the organisers
Phone: TBC
Email: dmcooke@btinternet.com
Web: http://www.chorltonopengardens.org.uk
Celebrate Life in Manley Park on June 11th!
The Festival on June 11th was a great success – thanks to everyone who got involved.
See the Report below from Celebrate Coordinator Lotte Karlsen
CELEBRATE FESTIVAL REPORT 2022 (1)
See the photos on the Celebrate Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateFestivalWhalleyRange
The Celebrate programme is here!
Celebrate programme-Final (1)
Celebrate is almost here!!!!
And here’s another of our fantastic attractions…
Bike repairs and advice and children’s activities will be provided by the Bike Hive team from Alexandra Park. The activity is being run as part of Cycling UK Big Bike Revival and is a community Dr. Bike event!
We are pleased to announce CHARLIE PINK for the acoustic stage! He’s a local songwriter of renown and a purveyor of M.M.M – Mellow Manchester Music.
See you in Manley Park on June 11th!
CHORLTON ROCK OUT SCHOOL
We are pleased to announce a returning favourite for the main stage! The kids of @chorlton rock out will be starting the day off with a healthy dose of havoc. Expect big riffs, small rockstars, and multiple drumkits on stage…
LAUREN YOUNG
We are pleased to announce that the amazing Lauren Young will be joining us on the 11th June at Celebrate 2022!
Expect wild, virtuosic piano playing across a wide range of classical, jazz and contemporary styles.
POPPYCOCK
We are pleased to announce the wonderful Poppycock for the main stage at Celebrate 2022!
Expect danceable punky sounds from leader Una Baines, who has a redoubtable back catalogue from her time in The Fall and Blue Orchids.
Celebrate pre-festival workshops prep
in local schools with Mandy.
Looking fabulous!! 
The Celebrate festival date is getting closer! Here’s a preview of our poster – and watch this space for details of some of the amazing festival attractions and performance coming up to Celebrate 25 years! 
The Whalley Range Celebrate festival is 25 years old this year…
Celebrate Life on 11th June 2022 from 12-6pm in Manley Park!
The theme this year will be ‘Celebrate Life’ at our community event for everyone – older people, younger people and everyone in between! 
Live music and performance, displays, arts and crafts, health & wellbeing, age-friendly, stalls, workshops, information, local organisations, food and drink – and so much more!
Contact celebratewhalleyrange@gmail.com to get involved
Watch this space for more details!
Read more about Celebrate:
https://www.whalleyrange.org/whalley-range-celebrate/
buzz Neighbourhood What’s on update
Next update coming soon
Greater Manchester Walking Festival: Whalley Range Age-friendly benches walkabout
Age-friendly Whalley Range & Chorlton (AFWRC)
Friday 6 May at 10:30AM
Local older people and members of our community group will walk the hour long route of the 12 installed Age-friendly benches in Whalley Range, to get some exercise, fresh air and vitamin D. We will arrange to meet up with less mobile friends at different benches along the way to say hello and share news – and encourage others to join us!
Meeting point:
JNR8 Youth & Community Centre
82 Cromwell Avenue
Manchester M16 0BG
Booking is not required.
Walk Leader: Christine Ricard
Contact email: agefriendlywhalleyrange@gmail.com
Contact phone number: 07751666150
Age-friendly Whalley Range and Chorlton Steering Group info share
Meetings, links, news and information share for the AF steering group
Latest Age-friendly Manchester e-bulletin:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKMANCHESTER/bulletins/318fe28
Micra Newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/9d5d5fa418dd/micranetwork-members-micra-newsletter-24th-may-2022?e=08bc18cbd1
Carers Week Special 2022:
https://mailchi.mp/10e7f084ce83/carers-week-special-2022?e=66c2e418cb
https://www.carersmanchester.org.uk/events/
Photos of the bench walk coming soon…
Patient experience during COVID-19 – two new Healthwatch Manchester reports
We are delighted to release two new reports looking into patient experiences of care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Two new reports released today by Healthwatch Manchester highlight the excellent work done by social workers in Manchester during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We conducted two surveys with Manchester residents, one with people who have had a recent experience of being discharged into care from hospital, and another with people who have had a recent social care assessment.
One of the findings which was consistent through both reports was the very positive feedback about the care provided by social workers. Some of our respondents described their care as ‘fantastic’, ‘excellent’, and said that staff went ‘above and beyond’.
The reports were commissioned by Manchester City Council, who wanted to hear the experiences of people who had used these services since the beginning of the pandemic.
The reports can be accessed below.
Annual Report for AFWR&C
Bookings open for COVID-19 spring booster vaccinations
We urge people aged 75 and over and those with a weakened immune system to book their COVID-19 spring booster.
If you are eligible, you will receive a text message or letter inviting you to book an appointment through the National Booking Service.
Over 470,000 people have already come forward for their spring booster, with hundreds of thousands more booking a vaccination appointment, and more than 600,000 people will be invited this week.
95-year-old Devraj Jhalam, one of the first people in England to receive the spring booster, said:
“In my age group, everybody must have it immediately. Do not delay – delay means danger. You never know what will happen tomorrow”.
We also encourage you to get your first, second or booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if you have not already done so.
12 to 15-year-old children who are most at risk from COVID-19 can now book their booster dose through the National Booking Service.
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Lifechanging technology to be rolled out to all type 1 diabetes patients
Everyone living with type 1 diabetes will be eligible for lifechanging flash glucose monitors on the NHS following new guidance.
This means that everyone in England with the condition will be able to benefit from the convenient technology.
The wearable gadgets, the size of a £2 coin, have a sensor that easily sits on the arm, allowing patients to check their glucose levels with a one-second scan.
NHS prevention programme cuts chances of developing type 2 diabetes
New data suggests that the NHS Diabetes Prevention programme resulted in a 7% reduction in the number of new diagnoses of type 2 diabetes in England between 2018 and 2019, with around 18,000 people saved from the dangerous consequences of the condition. Someone completing the nine-month NHS scheme reduces their chances of getting the condition by more than a third (37%).
Find out if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and sign up to the programme if you are eligible.
LGBT Extra Care Scheme
Appended email from Bob Green, Housing Consultant, LGBT Foundation about the upcoming consultation
“The pre-planning application event for the LGBT Extra Care Scheme is going ahead next week (2pm to 8pm on Wednesday 12th January 2022 at Whalley Range Methodist Church, 51 Withington Road, Manchester, M16 7EX). A press release is attached. While no new Covid restrictions have been introduced, we will aim to keep everyone working and visiting the event safe.
Those living next to the scheme have received a flyer inviting them to the event and this will be shared through our mailing list, which includes everyone on this email list. The flyer explains that we ask everyone who attends to wear a mask, observe social distancing and have a negative lateral flow test. This will be the same for all of us working at the event, and also please do not come if you exhibit and flu or Covid symptoms. There will be light refreshments available for those working at the event.
At this first event, we will be explaining the principles behind the scheme rather than going into the details of design, which will be shared at the February event. The survey report we produced last year (see attached) presents an overview of previous research on LGBT housing and care needs as well as key findings from the survey. This will be useful for those of us at the LGBT Foundation stall to explain why the scheme is so important. Thanks to Anchor, there will also be a banner behind each stall summarising the main themes.”
Survey:
Housing Ageing + Care survey report
New proposals brought forward for affordable, LGBT+ Extra Care housing
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.
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.
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.
Action from last minutes: Chris to share Jane Goetzee’s report:
Summary for tenants 18.4.18 Jane 2 (1)
Urgent and Emergency Care – winter pressures survey
Background information
The NHS in Greater Manchester is looking to develop its understanding of why some people within Greater Manchester inappropriately access urgent and emergency care and wants to support people to access the right services and understand how to make that choice.
Funding has been agreed with NHS England to develop our awareness of the public’s understanding of services and how they choose to access care. As part of this work Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership has worked with GMCVO to create this survey to explore these issues in more detail to and provide insight from local communities.
Any findings from this survey will be used to help health and care professionals in Greater Manchester better understand why people access the NHS services in the way that they do and what communications might help to support people to make the best choices to get the help they need.
If you are responding on behalf of an organisation or have been supported to complete this survey by an organisation can you please identify who this organisation is so we can ensure this is highlighted in the feedback summary report.
The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete and is open from Friday 5th November until 12pm Friday 10th December 2021.
If you require any further support with this survey please contact nathalie.haslam@gmcvo.org.uk OR laura.conrad@nhs.net
Thank you for taking time to share your views –
this will help us to improve our communications in the future
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/PY5MEH/
In 2019, the local community were consulted on the British Muslim Heritage Centre’s proposals for their site.
The purpose of that event was to provide some initial plans and sketches of the proposals before developing the proposals in further detail.
A second consultation event took place on Monday 29th November at the centre.
Please visit http://www.bmhc.org.uk/public-consultation/ to read all about the plans
A Guardian journalist interviewed some local people who are members of our Cromwell/York Avenue and Milton Grove WhatsApp group recently at JNR8 and Tibetan Kitchen to talk about mutual aid …
Healthwatch Manchester Bulletin: https://mailchi.mp/a9ad230cd5dd/healthwatch-manchester-nov-2021-bulletin-4119394?e=971288d398
Greater Manchester is committed to widening access and participation in active travel for over 50s | Centre for Ageing Better
A climate fight without age: older people and COP26
Empowering local action on food poverty: key lessons from Food Power
This report shares key lessons on how to empower local action on food poverty learnt through the Food Power programme which was delivered between 2017 – 2021.
How can we ensure people have access to food when they go home from hospital?
In the first of a series of blogs, Simon Shaw shares some of the initial findings from our Home from Hospital project.
https://www.sustainweb.org/blogs/nov21-home-from-hospital-1/
Age Friendly Whalley Range & Chorlton Constitution and Annual Report 2022
Latest Annual Report
Age Friendly Whalley Range and Chorlton Annual Report 2023
We updated our Age-friendly Whalley Range and Chorlton Constitution in July 2022.
See the revised version here: Updated AFWR Ch Constitution June 2022 (2)
Whalley Range Community Forum Annual Report 2021
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
Get NHS advice about COVID-19, including symptoms, testing, vaccination and self-isolation.
Information from https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
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:
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.
Agenda and Nomination form for election of Officers for WRCF – Feb 2022 (1)
Shortened devel plan AGM Jan 2022 (1)