Ambition for Ageing is a £10million Big Lottery funded project across Greater Manchester which targets the reduction of social isolation among older people. Projects will be delivered in eight of the Greater Manchester districts, with the Manchester project run by a multi-disciplinary team from the Manchester School of Architecture at Manchester Metropolitan University and Southway Housing Trust.
Called Manchester Age-Friendly Neighbourhoods (MAFN), the Manchester project will develop three resident-led Age Friendly Neighbourhood Partnerships - in Moston, Burnage and Hulme & Moss side. These partnerships will co-research, develop, implement and evaluate projects designed with and by local older people to reduce the social isolation of local older people by increasing the ‘Age-Friendliness’ of the Neighbourhood.
Over £320,000 will be available to spend on community-led projects over the next four years, supported by the project team and a range of substantial contributions in kind from partners. The projects will be officially launched and begin work in the New Year.
This popular club provides a warm welcome on Fridays for local older people. The Whitemoss Club has, for decades, provided youth club facilities for young people living in Higher Blackley and Charlestown but began running Age Friendly Sessions for people 50+ over 3 years ago. There are a range of activities available on Fridays and the club has attracted a great mix of men and women. The club has an IT suit with relaxed learning sessions on offer throughout the year, table tennis and pool is on offer each week and there's a great sports hall where members can enjoy a game of badminton - all the things we used to enjoy in the days when we went to the local Youth Club. There's plenty of relaxed seating too if you'd just prefer to relax and natter.
If you work with older people living in this area or know someone who might be interested in joining the group contact John Biggs on 0161 278 1240. John is also interested to hear from anyone who might be interested in offering age friendly sessions which might encourage new members to attend. If you have an idea and want to know more about volunteering at Whitemoss please contact the club.
The Age-Friendly Manchester (AFM) website is now live. The website is part of the main City Council website and is a collection of resources aimed at older people, including information on: local contacts; events and things to do; health, housing and transport advice; plus more detailed 'behind the scenes' information about the AFM programme. Check it out at: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/olderpeople
Are you currently running activities aimed at older people living in Miles Platting? Are you participating in an activity or are you a member of a social group looking for new members? Do you have an idea about the type of activities or groups that local people want to attend?
The Age-Friendly Locality Network which covers Miles Platting and Newton Heath met in November and have agreed to work together to both improve local opportunities and to encourage more older people to participate in the opportunities already available.
During 2016 the AfM team will work closely with local housing providers, sheltered scheme managers and voluntary groups to achieve this aim. Discussions have already begun with volunteers at St Georges Community Centre and staff and residents at Butler Court Extra Care Housing Scheme. Any support you can offer will be welcome. Please contact Tracey Annette on 234 4299 or email t.annette@manchester.gov.uk
Followers of the long-established My Generation Club Nights will be aware that the club has moved around quite a bit over the years. When the Roadhouse closed in summer last year, members found themselves, once again, without a city centre meeting place. An appeal made through the Manchester Evening News, written by founder member Joyce Gill, proved extremely successful with lots of generous offers being received. They finally settled on Club Alter Ego on Princess Street due to easy access from the bus and tram networks. Following a summer break the club nights were relaunched on the 1st November. The venue was packed and the staff were welcoming and the great news is that the club has been invited back.
They'll be hosting 4 nights in 2016 at Club Alter Ego. The venue has a maximum seated capacity of 120 so it's important to reserve tickets in advance of events. They now have a membership list - with members getting the first option on the limited tickets available. To sign up contact Tracey Annette on 234 4299 or email t.annette@manchester.gov.uk.
AllFM are providing free training and support - no experience necessary! For more information contact Ed on 0161 248 6888 or email ed@allfm.org.
North City Nomads is a membership group open to residents living in, or using facilities in, North Manchester. The neighbourhoods covered by the group include: Higher Blackley, Charlestown, Harpurhey, Moston, New Moston, Crumpsall, Cheetham, Newton Heath, Miles Platting and Ancoats. The project is delivered by a small group of volunteers and is supported by the Age Friendly Manchester team. The aim of the project is about connecting people, encouraging new friendships and supporting people to expand their individual social circles.
Over 450 people have currently signed up as members of North City Nomads and in 2015 members participated in trips to Southport, Llandudno and Chester. Over 200 people were involved in each trip. New members are invited to register for membership in January. Registration is only open for 4 weeks and newly registered members will be included in the trips planned for 2016. For more information about the group and previous trips take a look at the groups Facebook page.
If you or someone you know wants to join North City Nomads, please contact Tracey Annette on 234 4299 or email t.annette@manchester.gov.uk.
