Try something different this new year

Learn new skills and share your own at TimeBank

Our TimeBank monthly meetups are a great way to learn a new skill and meet other people in your community. There’s no money involved - all members need to bring is a skill they can share and a willingness to learn from others. All skills are valued equally at the TimeBank; whether it’s sewing, painting, photography, mechanics, knitting, writing or anything else, all are welcome to get involved.

You can find out more about TimeBank here; keep an eye on our events calendar for details on the latest meetups.

 

Check out Men (and women!) in Sheds

Men in Sheds is a nationwide campaign to combat loneliness in men aged 50 and above. The South Manchester Men in Sheds meet in Chorlton Park and complete projects aimed at benefiting the community. This usually involves making, renovating and mending items, bike repair, gardening, upholstery and more!

Men in Sheds is a great way to make new friends in a friendly group setting, but don’t let the name fool you – it’s not just for men and their workplace is much bigger than a shed!

Click here to learn more about the project and how to join.

 

Employment events

Following the success of Spring into Work and Fall into Work last year, we are very excited to continue delivering free, no-pressure employment events during 2020.

Whilst we're still planning out much of the year ahead, we already have two free events in the calendar for January! These are:

• Confidence Building & Next Steps Workshop on Monday 13^th January, 10am – 3pm at Southway Housing Trust.
• A ‘meet the employer’ event with Arriva on Wednesday 29^th January, 12pm – 2pm at Westcroft Community Centre.

Anyone looking for new work, training and volunteering opportunities is more than welcome to come along to these events.

Visit our events calendar for more information and keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter for upcoming employment events.

 

Ongoing support

Looking for a new job can be an exciting but daunting prospect. If you are looking for your next career move, but need a bit of help to get started – or stay motivated – Job Club could be just what you need.

Running at Westcroft Community Centre and Ladybarn Community Hub every Thursday, Job Club offers help and advice with:

• Creating or updating CVs
• Applying for jobs online
• Application forms
• Finding training and volunteering opportunities
• Interviews

This friendly, informal group is completely free to attend and there’s no need to book – just drop in.

See our events calendar for more information.

 

Make a difference through volunteering

Volunteering is a really rewarding way to make a difference to your community. By giving just a few hours of your time each month, you can meet new friends and make a positive impact on someone else’s life, all whilst getting a real boost to your sense of wellbeing.

There are lots of ways you can get into volunteering; whether it's helping to distribute supplies at our Quids In Food Clubs or joining one of our Service Improvement Groups, your actions and insights can provide a real benefit to your community.

You can find out more about how to get involved here.

 

Bring your project to life with the Beautiful South Fund

If you have an idea for an event, project, class, group or anything else that could make a positive change to your community, then why not apply to our Beautiful South Fund?

The Fund offers financial support for an individual or group with an idea based on benefiting the community. Recent projects include a CommuniTEA party in Withington and ‘Merseyfest’, Barlow Moor Community Association’s celebration of South Manchester.

To find out more about the fund and how to apply, click here.

Help feeling better

If you want to prioritise your wellbeing this year, Be Well can help. Delivered in collaboration with The Big Life Group, the Be Well service uses social prescribing to provide non-clinical treatment for a number of issues, including:

• Work worries
• Money worries
• Housing and difficult living situations
• Family issues
• Long term heath conditions
• Smoking too much
• Stress, loneliness or if you’re feeling a bit low

Anyone living in Central and South Manchester, or whose GP surgery is based there, can access Be Well. Treatments are free, personal and close to home and can range from exercise classes and illness support groups to volunteering organisations.

Click here to learn more about Be Well.

 

Tackling hoarding together

Do you find it difficult to part with belongings, even if they are old, broken or useless? Do you feel overwhelmed by the clutter in your home?

Hoarding can have a serious impact on a person’s mental and physical health, causing emotional distress and creating hazards in the home. If you are concerned that you are struggling with hoarding, or know someone who is, Tidy Homes, Tidy Minds’ new Hoarding Peer Support Group can help.

The group offers free, friendly support on how to recognise symptoms of hoarding and healthy methods to combat the condition.

Sessions take place at Withington Fire Station every fortnight on a Thursday, from 2pm - 4pm, starting from 9^th January. Friends and carers are also very welcome. Click here to learn more.