Game Zone completed at Norbrook Youth Club
Karen Wilson, chairman of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester has officially opened of the new Game Zone at Norbrook Youth Club, Northern Moor. The room is equipped with new furniture, a pool table donated by Glenbrook Property, PlayStation 4 consoles and art equipment provided by Wythenshawe Community Housing Group’s Wythy Tree funding.
Last year, almost every part of the club received a fresh coat of paint in preparation for the opening when over 30 people and more than 200 hours were volunteered for a makeover day.
Gavin Evans, Norbrook Youth Club chairman said: “We are thrilled it’s all coming together, and we can celebrate everybody’s efforts and hard work. Getting the new space opened early in the new year makes it possible for all our young people to enjoy the Game Zone sooner, with more friends joining them in the extended space.”
“Special thanks go to GWF-Garfield Weston Foundation who made this possible by kindly providing funding for the extension earlier last year, while Dynamic Design and Build have worked closely with the stakeholders to ensure the new space is completed to high standards.”
Additional support was received from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester, the Manchester City Council Neighbourhood Investment Fund and The Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Trust.
Five young people who also helped obtain financial support by appearing in the Game Zone video, were nominated for a Youth Buzz Awards, in recognition of their contribution, and have reached the finals which take place on 28 February.
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BBC Radio Manchester relocates to Wythenshawe
BBC Radio Manchester is to broadcast live from Wythenshawe for a week from 9 to 15 September.
Under the banner We Are Wythenshawe, the station will move into a vacant retail unit in Wythenshawe town centre from where it will broadcast live from 6am to 6pm every weekday. The mid-morning shows will also be live from the shop over the weekend.
Presenters Chelsea Norris, Mike Sweeney and Phil Trow will all present their shows live from the town – they are looking forward to meeting people from around Greater Manchester who want to share their stories and to get a taste of what Wythenshawe has to offer.
The project, which has been developed with support from Real Lives Wythenshawe, will also feature two of the campaign’s ambassadors, Eamonn O’Neal DL and Jimmy Wagg – both from Wythenshawe originally – who will present their Sunday show from the Wythenshawe studio.
Throughout the week, Mike Sweeney will discuss current day perceptions of the area as well as the aspirations of young people.
A live newsroom will be based in the shop which will take people’s stories each day and turn them into radio content. There will be behind the scenes reports from Wythenshawe Hospital and Manchester Airport. And the station will follow a DIY makeover of Norbrook Youth Centre with a call to arms for people to help out!
In addition, BBC Introducing acts will perform live from the shop each day; artwork from local artists will be displayed; and local poets will be performing their work.
A pop-up café, run by Rachel Parkinson of Salutem Coffee in Northenden, will provide refreshments for those dropping into the shop. The café will operate independently from Radio Manchester but will take up residency to welcome BBC Radio Manchester listeners.
Kate Squire, BBC Radio Manchester Editor, said:
“We want people who live in Wythenshawe to tell us what life is really like for people in this part of the city. We’ve met some great people who deserve to share their stories on the radio, and we want to put down roots in the community not just for our We are Wythenshawe week, but connections that will go on and on as part of BBC Radio Manchester. We’re proud of Wythenshawe ....”
We Are Wythenshawe is the idea of BBC reporter Andy Bell who lives in Wythenshawe. He said: “There seems to be a perception of Wythenshawe that simply doesn't match up with what I've experienced while I've been living there! You get out and talk directly to people and you quickly find out there's a truckload of great stuff going on and the people I've met are so passionate about where they're from.
“It's going to be a lot of fun being right in the thick of it and helping the community share their stories and experiences.”
Listen to We Are Wythenshawe on BBC Radio Manchester from 6am on Monday 9 September
City of Trees marks Volunteers' Week 2019
City of Trees is aiming to plant 3 million trees, one for every person across the Greater Manchester region, as well as bringing under-used woodland back into use.
As part of the Citizen Forester programme, City of Trees runs events where volunteers can help to improve their local green spaces for both people and wildlife.
Research has shown that contact with nature has positive benefits for both mental and physical health and this has also been attributed to increased physical activity and reduced stress levels.
Volunteer sessions are open to all and Citizen Foresters will help City of Trees to achieve their vision of bringing more woodland back into positive management. The next session in Wythenshawe is on 6 June from 10am to 3pm, and will focus on managing the woodland, and improving the biodiversity and habitat for wildlife.
All tools and equipment are provided but volunteers should wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Light refreshments are provided.
Location: Sandilands Wood, off Carrswood Road, Wythenshawe, M23 9HQ
Contact Andy Long: andy@cityoftrees.org.uk or call 0161 872 1660
Where are they now? - Sarah McNair
Sarah McNair left Manchester Health Academy (MHA) in 2008. She is now fully qualified as a solicitor and works at Myerson Solicitors in Altrincham.
After leaving MHA, Sarah studied at college for two years and then studied law at university, graduating in 2013 with a law degree.
She then spent one year studying for her Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (a requirement for those wanting to become a solicitor), graduating again in 2014. She went on to work as a paralegal in a law firm for two years, before securing a training contract at Myerson, which she completed this year.
Looking back at her school days, Sarah said: “I have lots of great memories from high school, but some of the best are remembering the amazing teachers who taught me and helped me to obtain the GCSEs that I did, the variety of subjects I studied, making each day different and interesting. I loved going on residentials, playing sports and of course making life-long friends!”
Sarah’s advice to students: “It’s crucial to realise and understand while at school, the importance of obtaining strong GCSEs in order to set you up in good stead for the future. It is even more important not to forget your time at school as these will be some of the best days and bring some of the best experiences of your life.
“If you have an ambition or goal stay focused, motivated and believe in yourself, and one day your ambitions will become a reality.”
In recent years, all four Wythenshawe high schools have been extensively rebuilt to modern learning environments in projects costing tens of millions. Both Manchester Enterprise Academy and Manchester Health Academy received additional investment in 2017/18 to create new teaching spaces, also all-weather multi-sports provision for use by the school and community. Whether you’re a parent looking for a school, or keen to get some career advice for yourself, take a look at the Real Opportunities section.
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Verastar goes green with business electricity
Northenden-based utilities and telecoms specialist Verastar has made the switch to green electricity. As of 1 September 2018, 100% of its electricity comes from renewable energy sources, which makes business electricity from its brands kinex and Clear Business, green and clean.
Recent research from USwitch in August, showed that 1 in 4 people think that green tariffs are more expensive. Verastar is working on dispelling that myth by giving green and clean energy to its customers as no extra cost to the usual tariff.
The switch forms part of a business focus for Verastar to sustain and protect the environment, through reducing the carbon footprint of its customer base of more than 90,000 small businesses. This same month, news has broken that the cost of power generation from gas has spiked above coal – which could see other operators revert to coal plant generation.
On the switch, CEO Chris Earle (pictured) says: "The switch to green was an easy decision for us to make as a business. Our customer base covers a wide range of sectors, from health and beauty to farming, and no matter what industry they’re in they'll now be reducing their carbon footprint which is a really positive step."
Verastar, through brands kinex and Clear Business, provides telecoms, broadband, mobile, energy and water services on a unique one bill solution.