People/communities experiencing racial inequalities

Opportunity to Help Troubled Families

The closing date to be part of the preferred providers list for services to Troubled Families has been extended for 2 weeks to 5pm on Fri 2nd August. Applications can be made through The Chest and the name of the opportunity is  "Framework Agreement for the Provision of Troubled Families Interventions". Read more here.

Framework Agreement for the Provision of Troubled Families Interventions

Manchester City Council (MCC) is very keen for organisations to apply for a new opportunity advertised on The Chest to be part of a preferred providers list for services for Troubled Families. The closing date is 19th July. They are hoping that a large number of organisations, small and large, offering a very wide range of services are successful in meeting the basic quality requirements.

8 things you should know about the Voluntary Sector in Manchester...

1. In 2012/13 there were 3,093 community and voluntary organisations, co-operatives and social enterprises in Manchester

2. In 2012/13 the total income of the sector was £477 million

3. Medium and large organisations receive 95% of the total sector income

4. 1,987 organisations are micro (with an annual income under £10 thousand)

5. There are 94,300 volunteers in the sector

6. Volunteers give 370,000 hours each week

7. The contribution of volunteers in the sector is valued at £332 million each year

State of the Sector 2013

This morning I was in the happy position of being able to present our new research into the state of the voluntary sector in Manchester. It has been a long-held ambition of mine to be able to show the full extent of the enormous contribution which voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises and the community work of faith groups make to the city. 

Art Project Bus up for sale

The Art Bus was created by the Creative Hands Foundation to travel all over Manchester providing free art and music performances and workshops for local communities inspired by the music and contemporary art of West Africa in the We Face Forward exhibition, 2012 (at Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery, Gallery of Costume and Manchester Museum).  From mid-May until September the Art Bus travelled across the city and beyond.  It appeared at a huge range of venues in local communities from libraries to Café's to Schools.  The bus promoted the exhibition and provided ex

Understanding Parkinson’s – a guide for staff/volunteers working in areas supporting BME communities

A Seminar for staff who work with, support, advise and care for people affected by Parkinson’s - only available for organisations within the city of Manchester.

We can do it - Welfare Benefits Information Support Agencies April 2013-June 2013

Through visiting the agencies centre’s, which are located throughout Manchester, people can find out information and receive support on Job Seekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Income Support, and Child Benefit.

The service will also offer information and support on:
• Tax Credits
• Housing
• Debt, Money and Income Maximisation
• Referral and signposting to other services

Different centres are open each day as shown on the enclosed calendar

IMPACT OF WELFARE REFORMS - Do you understand the changes?

The Manchester Black and Minority Ethnic Network (MBMEN) at its February networking event heard from speakers about the changes that are coming to the Welfare system. Participants expressed great concern about the need for more information and worried about the impact of the changes on families, friends, children and vulnerable communities.
The Government says it has instituted welfare reform to:
• save £19b or more on the country’s benefits bill
• simplify, streamline and reform the welfare system
• make it more beneficial to be in work

How will climate change affect Black and Minority Ethnic Communities?

Climate change affects us all, especially the most vulnerable and it’s really important that we all engage with this issue; it’s not going away!  The Manchester BME Network in partnership with its members, MC-UK, Creative Hands and Salford Refugee Network is undertaking a project looking at “Climate change and BME Communities “with a specific focus on two vulnerable communities; older people and refugees and asylum seekers.  We hope to understand further the needs of the community and find solutions to help support the community better.