One of the things I love most about working in the voluntary sector is that if you have a really good idea you can generally find a way to make it happen. It might take a while – things like our State of the Sector and Civil Economy work were on my wishlist for years before we were finally able to publish the finished work. But sometimes you can be taken by surprise at how fast you can go from the idea to it actually happening.
People experiencing poverty and disadvantage are often the most affected by severe weather such as heat waves and flooding. Severe weather is likely to occur more often with a changing climate, increasing the demand for voluntary and community sector services.
Clean City is a project to make Manchester greener and cleaner, and is funded by Manchester Airport. East Manchester regeneration team have been allocated a pot of money from the Clean City fund and now they're organising some drop in events so that local businesses and residents can pop in and tell them what the priorities should be for how the money is spent.
The Pride in East Manchester project has been allocated funding, and need you to tell them your ideas on how this can be used to improve the area.
Manchester City Council are offering grants of up to £200 to help clean-up areas across Manchester.
Grants are available to help you to run regular clean-ups and, or greening events in the area in which you live. Please note grants will only be awarded for clean-up projects taking place within the Manchester boundaries.
Discuss with your neighbours or group what event or activity you would like to do, and get quotes or costings for anything you might need.
The Veolia Environmental Trust are committed to supporting community and environmental projects across the UK. These include improving community halls, creating new play areas and skate parks, and restoring green spaces. Projects must restore derelict land, prevent pollution, provide public amenities or encourage biodiversity.
BikeRight! are based in Openshaw and deliver cycle training from funding from Manchester Public Health and Manchester City Council. Anyone that wants to learn to ride, improve their riding or commute to work on major roads can have cycle training provided they live in Manchester City council boundaries, or work for the council or NHS.
Manchester: A Certain Future is an action plan to reduce the carbon emissions by 41% for the City of Manchester written by organisations all over the city, so it is owned by the city.
Could Manchester be Europe’s answer to America’s hippest city - Portland, Oregon?
Manchester has enjoyed solid economic success, there is now an opportunity for a ‘new wave’ to Manchester’s future. A new report A Civil Economy for Manchester, prepared for Macc by the think-do tank the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) demonstrates how this new wave is about unleashing the power of citizens, social and voluntary group.
The Vegetarian Society are daring the public to go meat-free for National Vegetarian Week 2014, which takes place on 19-25 May by either challenging themselves, or, if they’re already vegetarian or vegan, challenging their friends, family and colleagues.
Those who sign up will receive a newsletter each day of NVW, featuring a delicious recipe and some handy tips for making the most of the Week.
Vegetarian food is fun, tasty and seriously varied, and there’s never been a better time to give it a go.
Before Christmas, Mike Wild (Chief Executive of Macc) and Nigel Rose (Macc’s Strategic Lead on Commissioning) met with Geoff Little (Deputy Chief Executive of Manchester City Council) and Carol Culley (Assistant Chief Executive, Finance and Performance). We wanted to discuss the impact not just of the next wave of public sector cuts but the prolonged effects of recession. We also wanted to explore the Council’s views on how the voluntary and community sector can rise to meet the challenges faced by the communities in Manchester.