t s r u h y l l o C e r A e W
Issue #1 Summer 2014
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Big Local C
tte e l s w e N y t i n u m ollyhurst’s Com
Get connected: facebook.com/biglocalcollyhurst @wearecollyhurst
Who’s involved?
Chris Fallone Co-Chair Vicar at Church of the Saviour and determined to get people out of their houses and experiencing all that Collyhurst has to offer.
Martin Roberts Community Manager at Manchester Communication Academy. Excited to be supporting local people making decisions about local projects.
Connecting Collyhurst is a partnership of local people in your community. These people are:
Sister Rita Lee Gary Law Co-Chair Originally from the The driving force Midlands, Gary behind the highly has lived in valued Lalley Collyhurst for over Welcome Centre 7 years. A very - if you’ve never active resident, he met Sr Rita you is currently soon will! Secretary of the Hammerton Road TRA.
Chris Sedgwick Regeneration Officer, Manchester City Council. Committed to ensuring Big Local fits in with other local initiatives.
Wendy Vincent Committed to improving Collyhurst for current and future generations, Wendy can’t wait to get started! She is particularly keen to support young people.
Greig Lees Muriel Head of McDonald Regeneration Born and brought at Northwards up in Collyhurst, Housing. Greig is Muriel is a Great excited about the Grandmother with future of Collyhurst endless energy and the support and a passion Northwards can for helping local provide. people.
Erica Walsh Passionate about encouraging people of all ages to learn to grow their own food in Collyhurst, Erica helps look after the raised beds at Church of the Saviour.
So what’s Big Local and what does it mean for you? Big Local Local isisan for for residents in 150 areas around England to usetoatuse leastat£1m to Big anexciting excitingopportunity opportunity residents in 150 areas around England make a lasting and positive difference to their communities. It’s about bringing together all the local least £1million to make a lasting and positive difference to their communities. It’s about talent, ambitions, andlocal energy fromambitions individuals,skills groups organisations who wantgroups to makeand their bringing togetherskills all the talent, andand energy from individuals, area an even better place to to make live. Don’t is notbetter about place your local authority, the about government organisations who want theirworry, area this an even to live. It’s NOT your or a national organisation telling you what to do. Big Local is about you and your community and long local authority, the government or a national organisation telling you what to do.It’s NOTit’s about term plansgroups - you’vefixing got 10 years or moreproblem to plan and delivertalking the best yourof area! individual their favourite without to aoption widefor range different people who How can you get involved? You could become a member of the Connecting Collyhurst Partnership You could join one of the partnership sub groups: People, Places or Youth You can come along to events and have your say Look out for information on Facebook.com/BigLocalCollyhurst and Twitter @WeAreCollyhurst
Local News Big Local Football League kicks off! On Saturday 15th February 2014 from 5-7pm the first ever Collyhurst Big Local Football tournament took place at Manchester Communication Academy. The tournament was planned and delivered by two Collyhurst residents Nathan and Regan, who are both in Year 10 at MCA. The tournament was for under 16’s and 32 young people took part. The tournament kick off started what will now become a weekly league every Saturday night. Nathan and Regan hope to attract more teams to the league and are using money from the Big Local to buy trophies for the league winners every term. Young people interested in entering a team don’t need to pre-book, just make sure you come down to the MCA 3G before 5pm every Saturday! For more information please contact Martin Roberts at Manchester Communication Academy on 0161 202 0161 or m.roberts@mca.manchester.sch.uk
Once Upon a Time
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How do you think Collyhurst can be improved? Improving community cohesion and awareness by linking other community speaking languages. More spaces where all community can meet and organising activities for families/children Luciana Green spaces can be better used and made into communal spaces with facilities for greater social interaction - Steve More activities for the young. Getting people involved make them feel like they have a say in what to do and how to do things - Patrick
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Once Upon a Time is a social enterprise focussing on the rich history of North Manchester. What was an informal group of people who met up regularly to share their memories of North Manchester is now a flourishing organisation that produces it’s own magazine and holds weekly drop in sessions for interested people. Monday 10am - 12noon Come and join us for a tasty snack and a cup of tea and we will give you full access to our archives containing the rich history of North Manchester. You will meet others who share your interests in the area and maybe rekindle old friendships. Become part of history in the making, it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to be part of this legacy. Tuesday 10am - 4pm We are now able to offer you the opportunity to research your family history online with the help of Amanda.
Members of Once Upon a Time taking part in a
If you would like to subscribe to Once Upon A Time memory box activity with pupils at Manchester magazine or require further information then please contact: Communication Academy Amanda Rogers Manchester Communication Academy, Silchester Drive, Harpurhey, Manchester, M40 8NT 0161 202 0161 email: a.rogers@mca.manchester.sch.uk
Tower blocks get multi-million pound makeover Four tower blocks in the heart of Manchester are to get a dramatic transformation. The blocks, in Collyhurst, will get a £7m makeover to make them greener, warmer and look better. The work on the 1960s tower blocks will begin this year. The blocks will get new windows, new roof covering, structural repairs and external cladding, which will make them look more attractive. The transformation will also see new entrances installed in Humphries, Roach, Mossbrook and Vauxhall Courts. The scheme is being run by social housing provider Northwards Housing, which manages 13,500 across the north of the city. Tenants are currently being consulted on whether they would like solar panels, what colour the external cladding will be and whether to enclose external balcony areas. The work is expected to take around 12 months to complete and comes after major internal upgrades in the area. Tenants in Collyhurst were given the chance to have a new kitchen or bathroom installed. Work is already underway at a similar block in Harpurhey. There is also a plan to bring obsolete bedsit flats back into the housing stock to provide more opportunities for tenants who are looking to downsize to a studio apartment. Paul Maidment, head of home improvements in Collyhurst, said: “Our tower blocks are fast becoming desirable places to live. This new investment will bring them into the 21st century – making them warmer and greener. With fuel poverty at an all-time high, this work will help bring tenants bills down.“The work we are doing to bring disused bedsits back into operation will also help ease some of the demand we are seeing as a result of the Government’s benefits changes.”
The Lalley Centre opens new, more accessible premises On Tuesday 25th February The Lalley Centre officially opened it’s new premisies at 17 Eastford Square in Collyhurst with a blessing from Father Ged. It has been the dream of Sister Rita Lee, who runs the Lalley Centre, for some time now to be able to extend the services the centre offers to Manchester residents. The original Lalley Centre under St. Malachy’s RC Primary is still open. The following services will be available at the Eastford Square premises: Monday in the morning people will have the opportunity to buy good as new clothing for their children at very reasonable prices. Tuesday the shop will not be open to all as other services are operating Wednesday food will be provided to people in need who have been previously assessed by qualified staff at the Lalley Centre Thursday food will be provided to people in need who have been previously assessed by qualified staff at the Lalley Centre and the Work Club is on from 1pm until 3pm Friday it is hoped that other services such as the Credit Union and debt counselling will be available For more information please contact Sister Rita Lee on 07530943804 or r.lee@caritassalford.org.uk
Mike’s Story
From coach potato to local food grower in 6 months The inspirational story of Mike Sharples, a Collyhurst resident who wants to get you all growing your own food. In September 2013 Mike enrolled on the Get Growing In Your Community course delivered by Groundwork. The Get Growing Course is a 12-week (1 day a week) programme of action, learning and goal setting, which includes some personal development along the way. The course gives adult learners the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence by working as a group to learn some basic gardening skills together and to choose and tackle a community project. Mike started the course very reluctantly, assuming that he would not enjoy learning about gardening or being outside, he was also very de-motivated, calling himself “the world’s biggest couch potato” and was fairly shy in asking questions and putting himself forward. During the Get Growing Course Mike’s confidence in himself grew, as did his interest and curiosity about gardening, resulting in him learning far more than the curriculum of the course. He particularly enjoyed developing his team working skills, working alongside learners from diverse backgrounds and observing others and how they tackled things. Mike’s role in the group developed into a friendly and jokey manner, which brought the team together with a common sense of humour. During tackling one of the course Community projects, in his local church garden, one of Mike’s children asked to come along and this started a conversation about things he’d like to do with his 3 children that don’t cost much. We discussed informally the kind of things we all did that were free or low cost and Mike was keen to try these ideas out with his children. Mike finished the course with a positive outlook and a sense of achievement, having completed the 12 week programme, in his own words, Mike said “I never thought I’d do a 12 week gardening course, I didn’t think it would be that interesting” Thanks to the knowledge he has gained and his commitment to the course, Mike has now secured a Star People award to run the Tub to Table project at Church of the Saviour aimed at encouraging other lone parents and families to grow their own food. He is the first resident in Collyhurst to secure such an award which is a huge achievement for someone who only started on this journey last Summer.
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“I never thought I’d do a 12 week gardening course, I didn’t think it would be that interesting”
“I was the world’s biggest couch potato” Mike
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MIKE’S PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS A new positive outlook, confidence and a sense of achievement Mike learnt skills in how to grow his own fruit and vegetables He has now secured a Star People grant to run a project focused on other lone parents and families to take part in the Tub to Table food growing project in spring 2014. New found interest in gardening, resulting in him learning far more than the curriculum of the course
Partnership profile - resident partnership members in their own words I was born and brought up in Collyhurst and attended St.Patricks school. I am a committee member of the TRA Collyhurst Village, on the partnership for the Big Local ,and the People sub group. I am mother to 5,a grandmother to 12 and great grandmother to 12.
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Muriel McDonald
Already, an avid knitter I saw a notice advertising crochet classes at the Lalley Centre, this was almost 3 years ago now. I somehow got roped in to designing a poster on the PC for the upcoming summer garden party. I now do invites, notices and general other bits and pieces that need printing. The Lalley is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Wednesday and Thursday, I help out at the drop in sessions and also the food bank at Eastford Square. I never did learn to crochet.
United Utilities supports Forest School development at Manchester Communication Academy
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never thought I’dindo United“IUtilities employees Queens Park after clearing the a 12 week gardening path leading from the park to Hendham Vale
Groundwork Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford is currently working with Manchester Communication Academy (MCA) to develop an outdoor learning space in a small woodland between the school and Moston Brook on Silchester Drive. The project has been made possible by the United Futures partnership which combines Groundwork’s regeneration and community liaison expertise with United Utilities local presence and commitment to making a positive difference. Its overall aim is to improve neighbourhoods following United Utilities network improvement work.
Further community spaces will benefit course, I didn’t think from the United Futures Groundwork is developing a project with the Factory Youth Zone it would bePartnership. that interesting” in Harpurhey to create a community food growing area at the side of the building on Factory Lane. The project will be led by young people and hopes to engage parents, grandparents and local volunteers. It is also hoped that Queens Park will benefit through a programme of community engagement. The park has already been improved by United Utilities employees themselves during a Corporate Volunteering Day “I was the world’s organised by Groundwork. biggest couch potato”
Mike For more information about these projects please contact Rachael Stoney at Groundwork on 0161 220 1064 or rachael.stoney@groundwork.org.uk
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For more information on the United Utilities work affecting Collyhurst at the moment call 0845 746 2200 quoting project number NCA 80021994/MAN0050
The Collyhurst Directory COMMUNITY VENUES Church of the Saviour Eggington Street M40 7RN 0161 205 2808 www.thesaviour.org.uk The Lalley Centre St Malachy’s RC Primary School Eggington Street M40 7RG 0161 205 2754 St George’s Youth & Community Centre Livesey Street M40 7NR 0161 834 9368
Manchester College 0161 203 2100 www.themanchestercollege.ac.uk The Factory Youth Zone 931 Rochdale Road Harpurhey M9 8AE 0161 203 5333 www.thefactoryyz.org
HOUSING Northwards Housing 1 Monsall Street M40 8QZ 03000 123 123 www.northwardshousing.co.uk
Humphries Court Communal Room Whitley Road M40 7GB 0161 203 2460
Adactus Housing Association 542 Oldham Road M40 8BS 0161 203 2600 www.adactushousing.co.uk
EDUCATION & YOUNG PEOPLE Collyhurst Nursery and Children’s Centre Teignmouth Street M40 7QD 0161 205 1744 Abbott Community Primary Livesey Street M40 7PR 0161 834 9529 www.abbott.manchester.sch.uk Saviour C E Primary Eggington Street M40 7RH 0161 205 1221 www.saviourprimary.com St. Malachy’s R C Primary Eggington Street M40 7RG 0161 205 3496 www.st-malachys.manchester.sch.uk St Patrick’s R C Primary Livesey Street M4 5 HF 0161 834 9004 www.st-patricks.manchester.sch.uk
Greater Manchester Police Non emergency call 101 Neighbourhood Team 0161 856 3925 manchesternorth@gmp.police.uk www.gmp.police.uk
YPAC St George’s Youth & Community Centre Citizens Advice Bureau Livesey Street www.manchestercab.org M40 7NR 0161 205 0880 08444 111 222
TLM Centre 1 Jocelyn Street Monsall M40 HPR 0161 205 8608
Roach Court Communal Room 42 Hamerton Road M40 7QP 0161 203 2460
Council Tax queries Manchester City Council 0161 234 5002 ctax.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk
Places for People 179 Royce Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5TJ 0161 204 1600 www.placesforpeople.co.uk Manchester Move Housing Choices 0333 9009032 www.manchestermove.co.uk Housing Benefit queries Manchester City Council 0161 234 5003 benefit.enquiries@manchester.gov.uk SUPPORT AND ADVICE Manchester Credit Union 0161 231 5222 www.manchestercreditunion.co.uk Yes Manchester Skills - Jobs - Opportunities 115 Briscoe Lane Newton Heath M40 2TP 0161 720 4090 www.yesmanchester.co.uk
Manchester Communication Academy 2 Silchester Drive Manchester M40 8NT 0161 202 0161 www.mca.realsmartcloud.com
Jobcentre Plus 1009 Oldham Road Newton Heath M40 2EP0345 604 3719 Environment On Call Manchester City Council 0161 234 5004 contact@manchester.gov.uk ZEST Abraham Moss Centre Crumpsall M8 5UF 0161 234 3715 Facebook ZestManchester COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY GROUPS Irk Valley Residents Association Main contact: Mary Armstrong 0161 205 8484 miarmstrong@btinternet.com Collyhurst Village Residents Association Main contact: Anthony McWilliams Contact via Northwards 03000 123 123 Collyhurst South Residents Association Main contact: Ray Fisher Contact via Northwards 03000 123 123 Hamerton Road Residents Association Main contact: Gary Law 0161 202 0772 hamertonta@btinternet.com Forgotten Valley Residents Association Main contact: Ken Doran 0161 202 2355 Once Upon A Time Manchester Communication Academy Amanda Roberts 0161 202 0161
d r a o b e c i t o n y t i Commun Tub to Table
Volunteers wanted!
Do you live in Collyhurst? Got a few spare hours each week? Would you like to grow your own fruit and veg? Want to make new friends? Want to learn something new or share your expertise?
We need at least 12 volunteers to help grow food in raised beds and tubs in the grounds of Church of the Saviour, Eggington Street Collyhurst, M40 7RN. The idea is to grow it, eat it, share it and hopefully even sell some to help keep the project going.
Collyh urst Work Club Thurs days 1pm 3pm @ The L alley
Want better access to fresh fruit and vegetables? Why not give Herbie a try? Herbie is a community greengrocer project providing access to affordable, healthy, fresh fruit and vegetables in parts of Manchester. For more information ring Alan on 0161 273 1736
Keep up to date with ZEST activities in your area ZestManchester
Membership only 50p per week FREE potato growing kit to first 12 volunteers
@ZestManchester
For more information: call Mike on 0161 258 6515
For more information ring Laura on 0161 234 3724 or email l.cassidy@ manchester.gov.uk
Do you want to take control of your money?
Get in touch!
Mind Your Money can help you get to grips with your finances through one-to-one practical support and practical steps, so payday doesn’t always seems so far away!
www.localtrust.org.uk/collyhurst
Can we help you? • Is your landlord a Housing Association or the council? and • Have you started or left a job in the last 12 months? or • Are you working part time or for an agency, doing shift work, or self employed? or • Are you aged 16-24 or • A new tenant?
Facebook.com/BigLocalCollyhurst
@WeAreCollyhurst biglocalcollyhurst@gmail.com Get straight-talking money advice and life-changing saving tips which will make your money stretch further. Contact the Mind Your Money Team on Phone: 0161 227 1352 or 0161 227 1125 Freephone: 0800 840 1444 Email: mindyourmoney@citysouthmanchester.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/mindyourmoneymanchester Twitter: twitter.com/mindyourmoney
This newsletter was designed by Groundwork MSSTT 0161 220 1000 www.groundwork.org.uk/sites/msstt