It was the 6th April – my first day of being on furlough from my customer services job – and I remember thinking, what am I going to do now? I couldn’t sit and do nothing, it’s just not me, and now I had time to help others.
I saw an appeal from the newly-formed Ardwick and Longsight Covid Mutual Aid Group. They were setting up a helpline and asking for volunteers. Supporting people on the phone is part of my day job so I thought I’d be suited to that.
Read moreThe last time I was in the West Gorton Community Rooms it was teaming with kids making artwork, playing hide and seek, and tucking in to free burgers.
That was February half term and community volunteers Heather and Chris were in full swing, supporting local families with activities and hot food.
Today the place is silent. It’s nearly the 100th day of lockdown and a lot has changed since then.
Read moreI did not realize the negative impact of COVID-19 on my social life until quite recently.
I am usually in the kitchen, cooking or working on my computer. It has become the hub of my daily activity – domestic chores and work. From time to time I glance through the window overlooking Swinton Grove Park [next to Plymouth Grove].
Read moreTheir plans to convert Longsight Youth Centre into a community hub were well advanced as the pandemic struck. Now this Ardwick-based church has had to adapt quickly.
Four years ago the Vineyard Church set up in Manchester, holding services at the Dean Trust Ardwick School on Stockport Road.
Read moreYou never know what’s going on when a poster reads ‘Come to the Big Brew’. I knew it was something about community, so nosey me went along, ready to do a little sprint in case it wasn’t up my street.
Read moreUnfortunately, this time spring comes with the biggest sad truth. Yes, these photos can tell much more than anyone can say about the current situation. People and nature are all living the pandemic.
Read moreWe’re staring into each other’s houses. It’s about Day 23 of lockdown. “I’ve got about half an hour and then I’m manning the Covid helpline,” says Lisa.
Lisa Brown is the community builder for the Ardwick area, employed by charity Forever Manchester to make connections between people and local organisations and, well, build the community.
Read more[Before coronavirus] As part of my college course I started volunteering at Parent and Toddler Group at Brunswick Church around September last year. Already it’s just become part of my weekly routine.
I look forward to Wednesday mornings because I’ve already built bonds with the children. Every week is different with new parents and children turning up.
Read moreIt’s pre-Covid-19 and I’m at West Gorton Community Rooms for their February half term activity week.
Wardeh and her three younger children are first here, keen to carry on with the creative activities they started yesterday.
Soon the table is covered with coloured paper glue and glitter.
Read moreIt was surprising to read a flyer, way back in 2014, about growing vegetables in an inner-city area, produced by a housing association which had recently taken over the local housing stock. Good luck with that!
I say ‘way back’ as so much has happened since then. There’s now a resident-led group that looks after the day-to-day management of a newly built allotment site surrounded by new or refurbished homes.
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