They say you can’t judge a book by its cover and were diversity is concerned, nothing could be truer. We often talk about Manchester’s diverse communities as collective groups, but when you look inside there are thousands of individuals each with their own strengths, their own values and their own identities. Just like reading a book, the more you look into it, the more interesting it becomes. 
SICK! Festival 2017 is the antidote to the physical, mental and social challenges of life and death. At the forefront of the arts and health agenda, the festival brings together an outstanding international arts programme with perspectives from academic research, clinical practitioners, public health professionals, charities and most importantly, those with lived experience of the issues they address. 
We have extended the deadline to complete our State of the Sector survey to 18 December 2016.
We would like to encourage your organisation to complete our important survey as we want to know how the government cuts and economic recession have affected our sector. We need to know how many groups have lost funding, how many have had to reduce services and how many have had to close or are facing closure. But also how we continue to work together providing valuable services and support to the people of Manchester.
What makes up the spirit of Manchester?
We are holding a photography competition on what makes the spirit of the city. Upload your photo highlighting the communities across the city, the great work and community spirit. The top 10 photos will be printed and exhibited at 5 events across Manchester. You will be invited to attend one of these celebration events which will be screening of films highlighting the spirit of the city.
CYA@HOME is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in an exciting new theatre company who will perform a new work on HOME’s main stage as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival.
Community Arts NorthWest and HOME are looking for Young People aged 14 to 18 years with an interest in performance from all communities across the city. You will be able to develop skills, existing and new and work as part of a dynamic creative team. No previous experience is necessary; just enthusiasm, a willingness to try something new and commitment.
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.
The mission of the British Science Week Community Grant Scheme is to expand the audiences that engage with science and self-identify as having an interest in science. The aim is to empower and support community groups to run their own science activities during British Science Week (10-19 March 2017). This grant scheme offers £500-1000 for community groups that work directly with audiences who are traditionally under-represented in science activity. 
The Ancoats Dispensary Trust has been working hard to secure the future of the Ancoats Dispensary building and bring it back into use as a multi-purpose community, health and wellbeing facility. 
We streamed our Spirit of Manchester Awards live, on Thursday 6 October.
You can watch our awards ceremony below.
Mustard Tree approached the New Islington Free School earlier this year about working on an art project which would brighten up the area surrounding their new building in Ancoats. Graham, Creative Programmes Manager, initially came up with the idea of fusing nature and city life together by creating an art installation called the ‘The Trees of Ancoats’.