miles platting spotlight
Miles Platting
spotlight
s a m t Chris r e k c Cra
Winter 2015
Issue 33
Wednesday 9th December 3.30pm - 6.00pm
Victoria Mill Community Building (Miles Platting Library) Lower Vickers Street, Miles Platting M40 7LJ
Come and meet
Father Christmas
...get into the festive spirit! The event will feature:
• Santa’s Grotto • Raffle • Festive Food & Drinks (small charge) • Cake Decorating ....and much more!
Adactus Miles Platting gets connected Facebook: Adactus Miles Platting Twitter: AdactusMP
This document is available in other languages, larger text, braille and on audio cd spotlight | 1
miles platting spotlight
miles platting spotlight
Local news
Contact us.. Welcome to the Winter Edition of Spotlight Magazine. Once again we have a bumper edition full of local news, activities and events. If you would like to get in touch about anything in this magazine, or would like to contribute to the next edition please contact the Neighbourhood Development team on 0161 2032600 or email victoria.greer@adactushousing.co.uk. We hope to see you at our Christmas event on Wednesday 9th December (see front cover for details). Follow me on Twitter – Vicki_Adactus
? e d i s n i ’s t a h W Local news - Pages 2-5 Age Friendly Miles Platting. News and events for older residents - Page 6 Community Garden News – An update from Chippenham Road and Holland Street Community gardens - Page 7 Age Friendly Miles Platting. News and events for older residents - Page 6 The Year in Pictures - a review of 2015 in Miles Platting - Pages 8-9 Events pin board – Information on activities in your area - Pages 10-11 Spotlight on… YPAC News and Info from Miles Platting’s Youth Charity - Pages 12-13 Pat’s gardening Corner – our regular gardening advice, competitions and giveaways - Pages 14-15 2 | spotlight
The Miles Platting Work Club continues to run every Tuesday morning from 10.30am to 12pm at the Adactus Housing Office, 542 Oldham Road. If you need support with creating a Universal Jobmatch account, writing a CV or application form or want to use our laptops to search for jobs then just pop along (please note that an appointment for help with a CV or application may be necessary at busy times). In October the Miles Platting Work Club delivered two courses – Interview Skills and Writing Application Forms. The feedback from the participants was good, with two securing jobs the day after the Interview Skills Training! If you would be interested in attending future courses please contact Vicki to register your interest (see above for contact details)
Butler Court – Tai Chi Residents have been keeping both relaxed and active at weekly Tai Chi classes. The free classes are open to all Butler Court residents and take place every Thursday at 1.30pm in the community room. Speak to a member of Adactus staff for more details.
Cycle Storage at the towers Thanks to a grant from Transport for Greater Manchester, Naylor Court now boasts 6 high security cycle storage units. The lockers are available free of charge to any residents of Naylor, Gunson and Landos Court who use their bikes regularly. If you are interested in signing up for a locker please contact Vicki at the Miles Platting Office (see page 2 for contact details).
Ownership of Ancoats dispensary secured The Ancoats Dispensary Trust is celebrating after taking ownership of the landmark building on the 4th September 2015. Trust CEO Karen Houghton said “We couldn’t have reached this point without our supporters in Manchester. We now have legal possession CEO Karen ce lebrates after of the building and initial funding is in place for the taking ownership fr o m safeguarding works to begin. We are on our way to creating with their dev Urban Splash along elopment pa rtner Igloo a space that will make a huge contribution to the health and Regeneratio n well-being of the local communities around Ancoats and the local economy”. The trust’s newsletter is available from the Adactus Housing office reception and Miles Platting Library. Pick up a copy and perhaps become a Member. Membership is growing and is FREE. You can either join online at www.ancoatsdispensarytrust.co.uk or email the membership secretary at barbara.whillans1@btinternet.com spotlight | 3
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miles platting spotlight
Local news
Books to go Books to Go provides a home delivery service for Manchester residents who have limited mobility, a visual impairment or any difficulty leaving their home. How does it work? When you join our service you will be asked to give us an idea of what you like to read and our experienced staff will choose books for you according to your preferences.
Is there a charge? No, the service is completely free.
What can I borrow? Our central store of over 30,000 items of stock means that we are bound to have what you like to read. We have books in both ordinary and large-print size, talking books and DVDs.
Become a Books to Go customer Email the Books to Go team at bookstogo@manchester.gov.uk or call 0161 227 3800. Alternatively you can call your local library who will be able to fill out a form for you over the phone.
73202 – Manchester City Council 2012
Open all day Friday at St Georges Community Centre (in partnership with YPAC and Adactus Housing) Fridays at St Georges becoming increasingly popular. A full programme of free events is run during the day and crèche facilities are available in the mornings, so get down and get involved! • 10am - Community Café opens, with advice available from YPAC and St Georges Staff. • 10.30am - Yoga • 11am - Work Club, come get help with CV’s, Job searches and applications, IT skills • 1pm - Walk to running group • 2-4pm - Job Club for 16-25 year olds, come down get help with Job searches and applications, CV’s and help with Ideas about social enterprise YPAC and St Georges really value feedback and ideas on what Open all day should look like, how they can do things that will benefit the community and what else they should do - particularly from 16-25 year olds. If you have any ideas go down and let them know! 4 | spotlight
Miles Platting Library
Victoria Mill Community Building, Lower Vickers Street, Miles Platting In October the library hosted a Spirit of Manchester coffee Morning organised by library and Adactus staff.
A number of agencies came along, offering volunteering opportunities to interested local residents. Organisations represented included the Canal and River Trust, Miles Platting Community Gardens, The Ancoats Dispensary Trust, Age Concern, Manchester Museum and Museum of Science and Industry. Attendees were treated to a goodie bag and a free raffle. The event was well attended and feedback was good. One resident wrote “ Great Event – going to volunteer for Museum” , while another said “Came to the Coffee Morning and Volunteering Session, I am looking to join up to two of them, also loving my Goodie Bag!” The library coffee morning takes place on the first Wednesday of every month from 10.30am to 12pm. The December coffee morning, on 2nd December, will be a special Age Friendly Coffee morning with information stalls, tea and cake and a free raffle to win a deep fat fryer courtesy of Manchester Fire and Rescue service! All welcome.
Local news
Benefit Cap ! There is a limit - called the Benefit Cap - on the total amount of welfare benefits that people of working age can receive.
Looking after someone who can’t get by without your help? Aim to be flu-proof this winter with a free NHS flu jab When you’re caring for a partner, relative or friend who couldn’t get by without your help, keeping yourself well is really important. That’s why unpaid carers are offered a free NHS flu jab if they’re the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare would be at risk if they were ill. This includes people who receive Carer’s Allowance.
Don’t put it off. Get your flu jab straight away. Help protect yourself and the person you care for. The flu jab helps to protect you from catching flu and it also reduces the risk of you passing the virus on to the person you care for. The person you care for could have an increased risk of catching flu because of their longterm condition or disability and they could develop complications and become seriously ill as a result. If you’re 65 or over, have a long-term condition such as asthma or diabetes, or are pregnant, your GP practice will normally invite you to have a flu vaccination. If you are a carer you may need to contact your GP to arrange your flu jab. How to arrange a free NHS flu jab: • Let your GP practice know that you’d like a flu jab because you’re someone’s main carer and/or receive Carers Allowance and that the welfare of the person you care for would be at risk if you were ill. • Ask your GP practice to make a note on your medical records that you look after someone so they can support you in your caring role and invite you to have a flu vaccination every year. • Or ask your local pharmacy for a free NHS flu jab as many now offer this service and will talk to your GP practice to let them know you’ve been vaccinated.
This may affect you if you receive certain benefits, including: Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Carers Allowance, Widowed Parents Allowance, Universal Credit. The Benefit Cap limit is being reduced during 2016. If you live outside Greater London the limit will be a total of: £384 a week for lone parents and couples with or without children £257 a week for single people.
You will NOT BE AFFECTED if you receive certain benefits including: Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Support Group Employment & Support Allowance, Industrial Injuries Benefits, War Disablement Pensions, War Widow / Widowers benefits. and you will NOT BE AFFECTED if: You work enough hours to get Working Tax Credit, or if you are on Universal Credit - you are earning £430+ a month.
Contact us if you think you may be affected. Some households will not be affected by the Cap, these include households If getting benefits youcertain think you such are as: going to be affected: Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Are you getting one of the benefits that would Support Group Employment & Support Allowance, exclude you from the Cap? Ask us if you are not sure. Industrial Injuries Benefits, War Disablement Pensions,
Check to see if you or a dependent family member could claim one of the benefits that would exclude you from the Cap - ask us for help.
Get advice about how you could reduce your bills. Think about whether you can reduce any of your outgoings - do a budget plan. Consider a move to a cheaper house or cheaper area. Talk to someone about a move into work / increasing your hours.
If your benefit is cut – try for a Discretionary Housing Payment. Whether you will be affected by the reduction in the Benefit Cap limit from 2016 will depend on the size of your family, the amount of your rent and the benefits you receive. Not sure if this affects you? Contact us to check.
If you are affected by the Benefit Cap, and are on Housing Benefit*, your award will be cut - for some people to as little as 50p a week. Your other benefits cannot be cut. * NOTE: Different rules for Universal Credit - contact us.
If you are affected you must pay the shortfall between your rent and your Housing Benefit.
Please note: Correct @ August 2015: these rules are subject to change. Produced by www.housingsystems.co.uk, a Welfare Reform information website for housing professionals.
Important Information for Carers Are you missing out on other benefits and services? As an unpaid carer, you may be entitled to other benefits and services that could make life easier for you and the person you care for. Find out more by calling Carers Trust on 0844 800 4361, send an email to: support@carers.org or visit Carers Trust’s website at www.carers.org spotlight | 5
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Spotlight on……YPAC YPAC aims to be a stepping stone for young people and their families to strengthen and support the community within Miles Platting, Ancoats and Collyhurst. By providing a broad programme of activities, services and training, young people and the wider community will have the opportunity to increase their skills, aspirations and confidence. See page 10 for details of our regular youth sessions.
Meet the Team Hi, I’m Chris Macintosh and I am the new HAPPY families’ programme coordinator at YPAC. I worked in and around Manchester as a youth and community worker for the past 17 years, working with M13 Youth Project in Ardwick and Blackburn Youth Zone. My role will involve working with people in the work club on Friday, helping at the parenting course and providing advice. It’ll be great getting to meet people in miles Platting, so please say hi if you see me at the Holland Street Community Garden or out and about. Sharon Bell - With 30 years’ experience as a youth worker and running young people’s services Sharon brings experience and enthusiasm which continues to be as fresh as any youth worker. Sharon leads on the Transition’s programme working in Park View Community School and within our evening sessions through the week. Kelly Roberts - Kelly brings something unique to YPAC. Kelly is a fully qualified Youth Worker with many years’ experience. However Kelly is also a stand-up comedian, working the stages across the North West. Kelly will be working across the Transition programme and supporting the HAPPY Families team with our allotment. Giovanna Roberts our Project Administrator is one of the long standing staff members keeping the project running like clockwork and the team stocked up on home baked cakes. Giovanna has more recently walked through Jordan and volunteered in Africa to raise money for UNICEF. Andrew Seedall has been the Manager of YPAC since 2011. The team are based at St George’s Community Centre from Tuesday to Friday. Our sessions and services enable many members of the community to get involved. YPAC was established as a young people’s organisation but works with families and adults also in the community. After all, some of the young people we started working with 10 years ago are now adults with families themselves.
Advice and advocacy YPAC have a number of skilled workers who are available to come and make home visits to help with any advice that you might need around being healthy, benefits changes, accessing work or Parenting issues. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you are interested in any advice. If we can’t help we will get someone who can. 6 | spotlight
Chair of Friends of the Miles Platting Community Gardens Greetings from the Miles Platting Community Gardens! There has been a lot of activity over the summer months at both Holland Street and Chippenham Road Community Gardens.
and food. At both of the gardens we decorated pumpkins in preparation for Halloween.
Residents have been growing a variety of things like sweetcorn, pumpkins, radishes, kale, spinach, parsley, tomatoes, artichokes, chard, onions, etc. etc. etc.
Naturally things will slow down a bit at the gardens as the weather gets colder but there are still things that can be done, possibly built and we’ll definitely need to prune the fruit trees.
And of course they’ve been busy weeding and composting as there’s always a need to keep up with these types of activities. The group gave away some extra plants like basil, mint and strawberries at the Adactus Summer Festival and also had some plants and seeds to give away at the Volunteer Fayre in early October. Along with YPAC, the gardens have also been offering after-school kids’ gardening clubs so that children (and adults too!) can learn more about growing and help out and also do art projects and play games related to gardening
Park View Primary School Holland Street Community Gardens Chippenham Road Community Gardens
If you would like to be involved in helping out at the gardens in some way, or have things you’d like to donate (might be seeds or paving stones or unused compost bins), definitely get in touch. Keep growing!! NB: friends of the gardens meet regularly so get in touch if you’d like to attend an upcoming meeting.
Young People & Family Sessions YPAC’s Tuesday session at Holland Street will be continuing over the winter. Sessions take place straight after school at 3.15pm and runs through until 5pm. We’ll be meeting outside the Gardens and running fun craft and garden activities either in the Gardens or Park View depending on the weather! As we go into winter we’ll have our Gazebo up with teas, Hot Chocolate and Coffee’s available so come and say hello if you’re passing.
Keep in Touch If you would like to follow the progress at the community gardens then join our Facebook Groups – “Holland Street Community Gardens” and “Chippenham Road Community Gardens”. Search for us, or request an invite by emailing Victoria.greer@adactushousing. co.uk or texting 07739 297124. You can also request to join our email network to be kept up to date the latest news and events. spotlight | 7
2015 has been another great year in Miles Platting
miles platting spotlight
miles platting spotlight
p u d n u o r Here is a e h t f o s e r in pictu . s t n e v e year’s t o p s u o y Can ? f l e s r u o y
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n o s ’ t a h W
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Wheely great training & work experience opportunity
FREE basic bike maintenance skills for adults aged 19yrs+ We’ve got a great opportunity for you to learn basic bike maintenance skills and gain work experience with the National Cycling Centre in Clayton, Manchester. You can even try out a session on the world famous Velodrome, the UK’s only Indoor BMX track, or our glorious urban mountain bike trails!
Saturday 5th December 1pm-‐4pm
Tag this together with the chance to See Team GB train ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics, and this is a training opportunity that’s too good to miss.
Programmes run on weekdays for 4 week
s between Nov 2015 – May 2016.
Visit: nationalcyclingcentre.com/news/free-
at The Grange Community Resource Centre
bike-maintenance-courses/ To register contact: Jennie Morton
j.morton@manchestersportandleisure.o
Pilgrim Drive, Beswick, M11 3TQ
rg
07880 381802
Father Christmas, treasure hunt, other activities, refreshments, tombola, raffle and more!
Come along with friends and family!
Tables available for a small donation, please ring Kay on 0161 230 1420 for more information. __________________________________________________________________________________ Community focussed, community based and community led services in Manchester.
0161 230 1420 / www.4ct.org.uk / info@4ct.org.uk
th foru m 9 u yo / bs u cl th u o Y YPAC m aged 13-1 of the Apostles’ 6-8p
ch • Thursday- at Chur . year olds d Community Centre an h ut Yo e’s rg eo G • Tuesday- at St ar olds. 30-6.30pm aged 104. . re 6-8pm aged 13-19 ye nt Ce ity un m m e’s Youth and Co • Friday. at St Georg 12 year olds 11 for contact details ge pa e se – ils ta de r he Contact YPAC for furt
MPCA Junior Football Club
Football Fun for Your Community
MPCA JFC sessions take place EVERY Saturday 2pm to 3.30pm @Park View Community School, Community Football Pitch. Ages 4 TO 13 Contact Carl Dillon 07762748904
Coming soon !! RISING STARS SC - USA MULTISPORTS CLUB EVERY Saturday 3.30pm til 5pm @Park View Community School Contact Carl Dillon on 07762748904 for further details
In Memory of Patrick Dillon
New Safe and Well Adve nt & Ch ristmas the f o h visits from Greater c r u h c e h t at Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is changing the way it provides its safety checks. The new ‘Safe and Well’ visit is a home visit carried out by both Operational crews and non-Operational safety staff. The visits will now focus on health and crime prevention, as well as fire.
M the Apostles The church of g M40 7FY in tt s Pla e il M t, e re st y Ridgwa , Miles Platting St Cuthbert’s 40 7AQ Oldham Rd M . ut challengeSt Cuthbert’s eepo l s What a Safe and Well check can involve: @ Advent ber. 7.30 pm ay 11th Decem wed by a sleepout in the d ri F • A light-touch health check of all s follo into sform the hall o Fun and game n a tr ill w e w ere individuals ag church hall wh ering that over 2,000 years b m the in e while factors risk of • Identification sleepout. a stable rem were forced to ip money to h p se Jo d home n a Mary sorsh t to raise spon • Provision of brief advice or interventions Today we wan ho have to sleepout on our n a w • Provision of appropriate risk reduction support others eds will go to the Church Urb ce ro p omeless. streets. All equipment e lives of the h th rm o sf n a tr fund to • Referral to specialist advice and support ve Services bert’ where appropriate Christmas E Christingle service. St Cuth d • Signposting to further useful information Carols Crib an tting 4pm. la p e to church Miles d now it is tim as. n a e n o d is Over the last 10 years there has been a g All the shoppin e real meaning of Christm th ry dramatic fall in the number of accidental reconnect with rols, hear the Christmas sto at ca h g w n This fire. by caused injuries si and deaths fires, Come and u are not sure yo If ! s le g in st is ri ra ing is largely due to the prevention work carried and make Ch e. We shall be is se d n a e m co out by the Fire and Rescue Service. a Christingle is ildren’s society. The Service h funds for the C eshments. If you would like advice on how to prevent fr of followed by re y candle light - The church b fires in your home a free visit can be ents. Christmas Eve ed by refreshm w llo Fo . m p 9 the to call FREE a s making by arranged the Apostle Fire and Rescue Contact Centre on 0800 ay Services at Christmas D rvice for early risers. 9am 555815. se Christmas Day e Apostles. th f o h n of For more information please contact: The Churc rst communio fi e th te ra b le Come and ce safeandwell@manchesterfire.gov.uk rt’s Christmas. e @ St Cuthbe ic rv se y il m fa Christmas Day 10.30am FREE healthy living sessions at and Regular Services 0- 9pm 2nd, 9th .3 7 s g in n ve e St George’s Community Centre, • Wednesday er venue tba 16th Decemb m 4th, 11th and 18th Collyhurst 0- 1p • Fridays 11.3 nue St Cuthbert’s ve r Decembe Pilates – Monday 6.15pm – 7.15pm evd ase contact R le p n o ti a Zumba – Monday 7.30pm – 8.30pm rm fo For further in 0161 948 4197 or email at Yoga – Friday 10.30am – 11.30am n o le b m Ellie Trim @btinternet.co le b im tr r. o n a le (free crèche available. Please secure you e r plac by calling Vicki on 0800 2346826)
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t Apostles with S ing t t la P s e il M ’s t r Cuthbe e. lcom e w e ar All anchester,
e
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g n i t t a l P s dly Mile
Age Frien
Situation
Top Ten Tips for Winter - Staying warm and well KEEP WARM Heat rooms to 18–21 °C (64-70 °F) - The ideal temperature is 64°F (18°C) for your bedroom and 70°F (21°C) for your living room. Check your thermostat or use a room thermometer to monitor temperature, and keep your bedroom window shut on a winter’s night. If you are worried about your energy bills contact Adactus for a free Energy Advice home visit. Save money & be ‘Energy Efficient’ - No one of pensionable age should be without heat or electricity between October and March. People who are disabled, frail or vulnerable can add their names to a Priority Services Register and receive a free gas safety check and priority in an emergency. Contact your provider for details. Stay Cosy - Use a hot-water bottle, wheat bag or electric blanket to warm the bed, but never use a hot-water bottle and electric blanket together as this can be dangerous. Wear several thin layers of clothing as these trap air and keep you warmer than one thick layer. Check your entitlements - A benefits check will show if you are eligible for additional income. Even if you were not able to claim in the past, it is always worth checking again as rules change. If you need help with your finances the Adactus Money Advice team can help.
Keep Well Have an annual Flu Jab - If you’re over 65 or have certain health conditions you can get the flu jab for free. The vaccine takes up to ten days to take effect, so have it early on in the winter. Check with your GP or your local pharmacist for details. Eat well & keep active - Ensure your store cupboard is well stocked. Make sure you have at least one hot meal a day and regular hot drinks. Include a variety of foods in your diet. When you’re indoors, try not to sit still for more than an hour. Adactus can link you with fun healthy activities like Walking Groups or Chair Based Exercise sessions. Be prepared - Order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time, especially if bad weather is forecast and ask your local pharmacy if they offer a prescription pick-up and delivery service. If you feel unwell, seek
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advice and support early from your local pharmacist or call your GP or 111. Keep in touch with people - It’s not unusual to feel a bit down in winter, if you are finding it difficult to get out and see friends make sure you phone them for a chat or phone our Caring Neighbour service.
Keep Safe Avoid slips or trips - Check your home for hazards; phone any repairs needed through to our repairs team. Home Security & Fire Safety - Check your smoke alarm. The fire service offer assistance and advice on security measures, home fire safety audits and free smoke alarms (see page 11 for contact details) For more information about any of the services mentioned above please contact the Miles Platting Housing Office on 0800 234 6826.
Age UK Manchester’s Line Dance at St George’s Did you used to enjoy dancing when you were younger but haven’t danced for years? Or fancy learning something new? Want to get some exercise in a fun way and meet new friends? Why not try line dancing! Monthly every second Thursday at St George’s Community Centre, Bothwell Road, off Livesey Street Collyhurst. Absolute beginners very welcome. We have funding from Collyhurst Big Local and we are particularly looking for older people who live in Collyhurst to come and join us. The last dance this year will be on Thursday 10 December 12.303.00pm. Turn up at 12.30, have a brew and get to know each other then dancing starts at 1pm till 2pm. We then stop for tea, coffee, biscuits and fresh fruit. There is a free raffle included in the very modest £2 charge. For more details contact Diane Aronwich Age UK Manchester 07950 427292 or e-mail diane. aronwich@ageukmanchester.org.uk. Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ageukopenshaw
Miles Platting Plodders
Link East Good Neighbours presents…
A gentle slow paced health walk for older people. A great way to get healthy, keep mobile and enjoy the great outdoors. We meet every Wednesday at 10.15am at either Trinity Church Butler Street or Piccadilly (outside Morrisons) Manchester. We either walk around the Ancoats area after which many of the group carry on to Healthfield Hall for the Front Row Film Show. Or we catch a bus, tram or train to parks, museums and places of interest around Manchester. We have visited Wythenshaw Park, Heaton Park, Daisy Nook, Portland Basin, Bolton Museum and lots more, too many to mention here! For a full programme of walks starting in the New Year contact Diane Aronwich Age UK Manchester 07950 427292 or e-mail diane.aronwich@ ageukmanchester. org.uk. Find us on Facebook www. facebook.com/ageukopenshaw
LINK EAST Chat Tea & Cake!
Have Fun!
Activity Clubs
Join us at our groups for people over 50 to meet people, make friends and enjoy FREE activities
Place:
Time:
Butler Court, Gunson Street, Miles Platting M40 7WU
Tuesdays (fortnightly – please phone for details) 1pm – 3pm Baking and cookery session Fridays 11am-‐12noon Seated Tai Chi (£1) Fridays Dancing 1pm – 3pm
Victoria Court Brigham Street, Higher Openshaw, M11 2YA. The Grange Community Centre, Pilgrim Drive, Beswick M11 3TQ
All welcome!
Regular visits to local places of interest, Markets, Museums…suggestions welcome Join us for a chat, fun and activities For more information contact Link East:
0161 230 1420 linkeast.4ct.btconnect.com
Funded by
Charity No. 1120417
The Grange, Pilgrim Drive, Beswick M11 3TQ
Movies on the Silver Screen Have you heard about the Front Row Film Club at Heathfield Hall? The club has been running for over 5 years, showing recent films in a friendly setting on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Membership to the club is open to everyone aged 50+ and organiser ask only for a small donation of £1.50 which also include a light buffet lunch before the film starts. Films are now projected onto a large projector screen giving that true cinematic feel. For more information about the festive film listings contact Tracey Annette on 234 4299.
Could you be a Culture Champion? Within Manchester city centre there are lots of arts and cultural venues including the Football Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Central Library and the Royal Exchange Theatre to name a few. Most of these venues offer free admission and also offer free talks and tours on certain days whether you decide to visit on your own, with a friend or with a group. All of our cultural venues are easily accessible by public transport with many being just a short walk from Piccadilly. Why not think about getting together with friends or neighbours and visiting one of our museums, theatre’s or art galleries over the festive period. Manchester Cathedral and Chethams School of Music both have a fabulous winter programme. Despite the fact that there is so much on offer sometimes older people find it difficult to access information about opportunities that are open to them. You might already be a frequent visitor to some of cultural venues and feel you are able to encourage and enthuse others to take advantage of what is on offer. We are interested hear from people who would like to find out more about being a Culture Champion. To find out more about becoming an Age Friendly Culture Champion contact Claire Cowell on 0161 275 8459 or claire.cowell@manchester.ac.uk spotlight | 13
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Pat’s Gardening Corner
The sharp cold of winter has now arrived and Jack Frost is leaving sprinkles of ice on the lawn and the car windscreen. Many of you will now be looking forward to and preparing for the festive season. So much time and worry goes into all the decisions that need to be made for the annual celebration, with many of them centring on gifts. Fresh flowers and plants are always appreciated by the garden-lover whether it’s a bouquet or a bowl filled with indoor hyacinths. The range of gifts is enormous from gardening books to packets of seeds, subscriptions to gardening magazines to garden equipment like secateurs or a ticket to garden show. Although its easy to think that the garden is something to be wrapped up, put away and left until next Spring, there are lots of things that can be done now to ensure your garden is ready for the new gardening year ahead. • Pick a dry still day to rake up fallen leaves, don’t put them on the compost heap, as leaves break down in a cold process, whereas a traditional compost heap breaks organic matter down in a warm/hot process. Put them into a leaf composter, or make leafmould. • How to make leaf mould - Left on the lawn, leaves will prevent light reaching the grass, and trap moisture, killing the grass and encouraging the spread of moss. Collect the leaves with a garden rake or leaf blower. I then run over the leaves a few times with my lawnmower (with the grass box removed), so the leaves are shreaded, this speeds up the rotting process as well as reducing the amount of space needed to store them. Pile the leaves, or shreadings into black bin liners, add some water and after tying the tops of the bags, poke some holes in the side with a garden fork and store them in a secluded part of your garden. In 12-18 months you should have some nice leafmould. • If you have any decorative plant pots that 14 | spotlight
aren’t frostproof empty them of all soil and store them in the shed, greenhouse or garage. • Keep an eye on the weather forecast and cover shrubs that are likely to be damaged by frost with garden fleece, sacking or an old light blanket. • Fill up gardening pots with winter flowering pansies, polyanthus, wallflowers, myosotis for a blaze of winter colour. • Leave the old growth of tender plants unpruned over the winter months. This will help to protect the central crown of the plant and take the brunt of any frost damage. If plants are cut back hard in autumn new growth could be damaged by frost.
Don’t forget about our winter wild-life throughout the winter months Encourage birds into your garden by hanging up bird feeders and fat balls – a tasty welcome treat!
Thinking ahead to Spring - Bulb planting As gardeners know gardening is all about planning and preparation. Develop a plan, decide what you want – the more the merrier. Bulbs tend to look wonderful in large groups or drifts, they are very easy to grow and most of them just want to be wintered under a blanket of soil till they push up when the days become longer. There are a few simple rules for planting, generally you place them two to three times their own size deep in soil. They are very easy, but to care for them properly they love a bit of slow release fertilizer to build up the bulb.
Be the first to bag your free Christmas garden giveaways* Check out our winter freebies below:• A selection of small indoor plant pots (various colours) • A selection of flower seeds • Bulb baskets (for ground planting) • Selection of spring bulbs • Small garden trough – great for planting up spring bulbs • Handy hessian gardening bag • Garden twine Just ring Adactus housing for your free giveaway - be quick stocks are limited *(adactus residents only)
Anthony was lucky to bag some of our summer garden giveaways – happy planting Anthony!
PHOTO COMPETITION Capture a winter wonderland and win £20 high street vouchers. Send your winter pics to Patrice.campbell@adactushousing. co.uk before the end of February 2016. (Adactus tenants only)
…..Pause for thought Consider your garden as ‘an extra room’ - it deserves as much consideration as the inside of your house. Please care for your garden and keep it tidy - it’s your responsibility!
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! spotlight | 15
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Baker House Office Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (6pm on Wednesday) Emergency Repairs
T 0800 234 6826
Allpay For direct debit, debit/credit card payments & ordering new rent cards Housing Benefit queries:
T 0800 234 6826
T 0870 234 6040
T 0161 234 5003
e: benefit.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk Council Tax queries:
T 0161 234 5002
e: ctax.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk MCC Adaptions Team:
T 0161 234 5001
e: mcsreply@manchester.gov.uk Miles Platting Outreach Library Open:
T 0161 227 3787
Tuesday 2pm - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 1pm Thursday 1pm - 7pm Saturday 10am - 1pm Environment on call:
T 0161 234 5004
e: contact@manchester.gov.uk Find out your utility supplier: 16 | spotlight
Gas: T 0870 608 1524 Electric: T 0870 751 0093