It’s an old question: “have you ever wondered what it would be like if….?” (Bit of a cliché in fact, but go with me, it’s the end of a long difficult year...)
On the day I’m writing this, we’re asking that question about the work of local charities, community groups, faith groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if they just weren’t there?
No Going Back, Macc's latest report brings together the experiences of 22 local voluntary sector leaders who shine a light on the critical role that the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector has played during the response to the Covid-19 crisis. As well as reflecting on the lessons learned during the crisis, the leaders make the case for change going forward and highlight the unique opportunity society has to make things better in the future. Articles cover a diverse range of issues including: mental health; disability; community radio; funding; community centres; racism; sexual abuse; domestic violence; prisoners; commissioning; partnership; youth support; LGBT; and advice.
Over the past three years communities up and down the country have come together to celebrate the life of Jo Cox MP. Thousands of community events have taken place, with people around the country showing that we have more in common.
As you may be aware, earlier this year Manchester City Council and Manchester Health and Care Commissioning launched a competitive tendering process for the contract to provide support to the city's voluntary and community sector for the next three years. We are delighted to announce that Macc has been awarded this contract.
Nigel Rose, Strategic Lead (Commissioning), at Macc was involved in facilitating and contributing to the North Manchester Inquiry into increasing the strength of the voluntary sector and the final recommendations paper is now available here. There is an ongoing working group which Sarah Whitelegg, Capacity Building Team Manager, is part of.
Monday 22 July 2019 marks 100 years (to the day) of the formation of Manchester and Salford Council of Social Service. Macc, Salford CVS and Gaddum have worked together to mark the occasion with a celebratory event at the People’s History Museum. We felt it is important to mark 100 years of social action across the twin cities of Salford and Manchester.
Recently I had a very nice letter inviting me to write for a publication (quite high status) and a follow-up phone conversation to explore further. In the course of this, the London-based publisher emphasised that wanting to reach outside their heavily London-focused circle was a big priority for them. Who can guess the next bit of the conversation?
GreaterSport is conducting research to understand more about residents of Greater Manchester and physical activity. This will inform the campaign they are undertaking to help them achieve their target of getting 75% of GM residents active. 
GreaterSport have commissioned an independent research agency, to conduct a survey to understand the experiences of GM residents.
This report provides a record of the Connecting Chorlton, Fallowfield and Whalley Range event in November 2018. The gathering encouraged networking and collaboration between a wide range of statutory and voluntary organisations concerned with promoting health and well-being in its broadest sense, across three wards, in the new Chorlton, Fallowfield and Whalley Range neighbourhood. This initiative was started by the Whalley Range Community Forum.
Love Our City is a project funded through RadEqual, Manchester City Council. The RadEqual programme is based on rethinking radicalisation and recognising the challenges relating to our collective understanding of prejudice, hate and extremism which are all very complex issues. The programme recognises that part of the solutions to these big issues has to involve people and the places where they live. 