Macc’s purpose is to encourage, support and develop voluntary and community groups and individuals to have a real influence over the places and communities in which they live. So for that reason alone, we’re supporting the People’s Plan as a non-partisan, citizen-led movement bringing new and seldom-heard voices into the conversation about the future of Greater Manchester.
Hello all,
We hope you had a great weekend!
In today's blog I would like to talk to you about Christmas.... I know we've not even had Halloween or Bonfire night yet, but you know how time flies!
From now - and in the run up to Christmas, the Volunteer Centre receives an increased number of requests to dispense information and guidance on volunteering opportunities that are taking place on or around Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
In early 2016, Manchester agreed its shared vision outline in the Our Manchester strategy to be a world-class city, with residents who live longer, and are happier and wealthier. The Our Manchester Forum provides strategic leadership on the delivery of the city’s priorities, as set out in the Our Manchester strategy. The Forum is also responsible for ensuring that the new Our Manchester approach is embedded in all sectors of the city. 
Macc will work with Cracking Good Food (www.crackinggoodfood.org) on a two month project focusing on food poverty. It will give people suffering from food poverty, and those working with them, new skills and the ability to tell their stories. We will highlight these valuable insights to the influential people and policy makers who could help make a difference.
What do you think makes up the Spirit of Manchester?
Spirit Story was a week-long campaign held in September 2016 to document the extraordinary everyday stories of our sector. VCSE organisations were asked to choose one day during the week of 19-23 September and tell us about an activity that took place which included food distribution, advice sessions, support groups and a sporting memories session.
We gathered 32 stories which are now in a dedicated place on the Macc website - https://www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/spirit-story-0
That’s Manchester TV filmed at our Spirit of Manchester Awards, watch the news story here:
Values are the things that are important to us, the foundation of our lives. They are deeply held principles that guide our choices and behaviour
s and influence our emotions. Values are the core of who we are. They are our motivators, our drivers, the passion in our hearts and the reason why we do the things we do.
Tell the story of how your community and the work being done their adds to the Spirit of Manchester. We want to train people from all over Manchester to become accredited Community Reporters and tell the great stories happening across the city. 
The Second Half Fund is a partnership between Nesta and the Office for Civil Society. Nesta and the Office for Civil Society are looking to support the growth of innovations that mobilise the time and talents of many more people aged over 50, to help others, alongside public services in four key priority areas: 
• Children and young people: People aged 50+ supporting and encouraging children and young people to succeed and find employment through social action