Blog
Mike Wild
One thing - among many - which has puzzled me about the Brexit debate is the sheer number of people who have focused entirely on trade (transactions): there has been virtually nothing about international co-operation and broader relationships. This has been to such an extent that people are shocked when they hear about things like medical supplies being affected (a moment marked by the closure…
karen.dyson
Questions around the issues for your first 100 days in post are pretty standard interview fare. If you take out leave for Christmas, I reach that milestone today.
In my interview I talked about issues around representation. Macc is often called ‘The Voice of the Sector,’ and it’s not a term we often dispute, because it helps makes sure that the sector has seats at the table when consultations…
shanna.lennon
My two colleagues and I have just come from dropping off donations at Emmeline’s Pantry. Here at Macc we decided that one of the ways we could practice what we preach is by supporting a local Christmas Appeal, we asked for suggestions and picked at random. Emmeline’s Pantry was the name that came out of the hat.
Located at a Manchester Women’s Aid, they support families by…
victoria.jones
I recently travelled to Margate in Kent with GMOPN Action Group member Elaine Unegbu, in order to attend the Big Lottery’s annual Ageing Better Conference. Having never been to a conference before, I was quite apprehensive and wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I needn’t have worried though as the conference was fantastic! I had the opportunity to learn so much from a wide range of people and to…
Mike Wild
Our Sharing Our Wellness conversation is about what keeps you mentally well and helps get through the bad days. I’m going to share something which has been going on for me this year and what helped….
Today is 28th November and I’m in work. That never happens. This is always the first Annual Leave day I book in every year because it's my auntie’s birthday. But this year is different. She passed…
victoria.jones
Hello! As part of the Sharing Wellness campaign, staff members have been encouraged to discuss what keeps them well. I decided to write this blog post about my own experiences and what helps me to keep well.
It’s only been in the last 2 years or so that I’ve started to pay close attention to the things that really do help me to keep well. When I was about 16, I convinced myself that I…
shanna.lennon
Having been at the Volunteers Centre Manchester for eight months, I decided it was about time for me to learn more about the voluntary Trustee role.
So, in the lead up to Trustees Week, I started by Googling its dictionary definition. The results were slightly dry, to say the least.
So, being more of an active person, I went along to our Capacity Building Team’s Trustee roles and…
chelsea.murphy
As part of our Sharing Wellness campaign, we have encouraged our staff, volunteers and the people we work with to discuss what keeps them well. I found this anonymous submission in my inbox and thought it was a perfect example of how staying resilient during difficult periods of life is a personal process, and is often supported by small, frequent acts of self-care.
I wouldn’…
victoria.jones
Hello! I’m Victoria and I will be working here at Macc for the next year as part of a Graduate training Programme called Charityworks.
At Macc, I’m part of the Active Communities team and I’ll be working primarily on the facilitation of the Greater Manchester Older People’s Network.
It seems only fitting then that I use my first blog post as an opportunity to explain what exactly the…
Nigel Rose
I have just finished reading an autobiography of Jane Jacobs, one of the most well-known writers about urban planning and a lifelong community activist. Her most famous book is the The Death and Life of Great American Cities. Coincidentally, at the end of last week, I received an invitation, along with everyone else in Manchester, to consult on the Northern Gateway, a massive proposed…
Nigel Rose
The second meeting of the Macc Policy Network was held yesterday and it was absolutely fascinating. The range of issues that participants spoke about demonstrates again (as if it that was actually required), the richness, diversity and passion in the VCSE sector.
These are some of the issues discussed leaving out my contribution which you can read in our recent policy bulletin:
The work of…
Nigel Rose
"Community development work is a huge force for good that could, if done well, transform the lives of people ,,,,,, if done poorly community development work can cause serious damage to communities."
Following the first publication by The Manchester Community Development Work Practice Group, "The Rise of CDW in Manchester", this blog tells the story of my journey into community development work…