More expansion at MHA

A new teaching building is taking shape at Manchester Health Academy. Passers-by will have seen cranes lifting the steel work into place for the three-storey block during the autumn, and now floors and stairways have been installed.

Academy principal, Mr Green, visited the site along with two students and the academy’s finance director, Mrs Staunton.

Following their visit, student James Phoenix said: “I can see from this preview that the new building is going to be very special – a modern jewel in Wythenshawe’s crown”, while student Ali Mohammed said: “It is going to be an amazing addition to the academy. It was a privilege to see the construction at this stage; it will look completely different when it is finished.”

The building has been designed primarily for maths and English teaching, with classrooms incorporating state of the art, ‘teaching walls’. 

The new building will house a new reception, providing a welcoming entrance for parents, carers and visitors. Inside there will be a full-height atrium that will offer a flexible focal space for events.

The £10million transformation programme of the academy’s estate has already seen the addition of a new dining room extension, multi-use games area and FA standard all-weather pitch for students and the community to enjoy. The new building is due to open for use in September, in time for the next academic year.

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Photo credit: Bowker Sadler Architecture

Opening of Durie Building at MEA

The Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA) has officially opened its new Durie building. The event celebrated a world-class educational facility in the heart of Wythenshawe.

Guests began their visit with a tour of the £12 million development taking in the new facilities on offer. MEA students from Year 7 were ambassadors during the visit and were particularly excited to catch up with their former primary school heads.

Principal, James Eldon, and head boy, Mohammad Kak, opened the proceedings and introduced Mike Kane MP who performed the official duties of the ceremony unveiling a plaque in the theatre space. Mike Kane commented:

“What an incredible new campus for the students and our community. We have seen new art and fashion rooms, music and drama studios, English and science classrooms and an amazing new all-weather pitch and a theatre. I would like to wish MEA a fantastic future and continued success in its new campus.”

Peter Durie himself, who the building was named after, also visited MEA in November last year to tour the building and see the campus first hand. 

James Eldon commented, “We cannot thank Peter Durie enough for his expertise, patience and diligence in the creation of MEA. He has made a huge contribution to our success and our community will always be grateful.

“Thank you also to Mike Kane MP for his kind words and to all our guests from local primary partners, construction partners and the Altius Trust board who took time out of their busy schedules, to help us celebrate this great milestone for MEA and our community.”

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Real Neighbours are proud

The Grand Day Out group which meets each week at the Forum Centre, has won Volunteer of the Year – For an Outstanding Group - in Manchester’s annual Be Proud awards.

The social community group is run by volunteers from Wythenshawe’s Real Neighbours and aims to reduce isolation for people aged over 55. Its motto is, ‘Come as a stranger, leave as a friend’. 

Maggie Karwat, community and partnership manager for Wythenshawe Forum Trust explained a little more about the programme:

“The group offers a number of activities each week including crafts, board games, gentle exercise, and a tea dance, but none of these are compulsory and members of the group can join in with as little or as much as they want. They come and go between 10am and 4pm each Wednesday and can simply enjoy the chance to socialise, read the papers, or play board games.”

The group’s framework allows the volunteers the freedom to share their ideas for new activities and future plans, developing their own skills in the process.

Grand Day Out co-ordinator, Nicola Hamilton, said: “The fact that many of the volunteers have been involved since the very start is testament to what a positive experience it is for them, and for the attendees.

“Our Real Neighbours volunteers, who are supported with training from Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, feel proud to have won this award and we are pleased that their commitment has been recognised.”

Other Wythenshawe winners of Be Proud awards include:

• Keleef Pearson – Individual Volunteer of the Year for his work with the Addy Adventure Playground
• Clare Byfield of Manchester & Trafford School Uniform Swap – Recycling Project of the Year
• Wythenshawe Youth Forum – Young Achiever of the Year (for nominees under 18)

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Wythenshawe basketball star

Newall Green High School student, Jade Mbam, in Year 11, has recently been given the honour of being selected to represent England as a part of the Under 16 national basketball team.

During the gruelling selection process, Jade was recently told by her coach that she has been put forward for selection within the Great Britain basketball team. Jade will attend a selection camp at Easter, and if successful, will go on to represent Great Britain in the European Championships this summer.

When asked how she felt about this opportunity, Jade responded: “It was a huge shock to be put forward for the Great Britain team. However I have been working so hard to be the best that I can be in basketball. I feel as though I am ready for this now and I’m excited to play against the best players in Europe”.

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New partnership for employment and skills at the Forum Centre

Facilities at the Forum have grown further with the relocation of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to the building. Job Centre Plus (JCP) is located on the ground floor.

The new zone, called Forum Opportunities, is shared with Manchester Adult Education (MAE), which will work in partnership with the job centre.

Chief executive of Wythenshawe Forum Trust, Eddie Flanagan, is enthusiastic about the changes: “We are delighted to welcome JCP to the Forum. Working in partnership with MAE, one of our valued existing stakeholders, the Trust is looking forward to building a unique training and employment service that will be of considerable benefit to local people.”

MAE already delivers a wide range of courses at the Forum which help residents to prepare for, and progress into employment, and to develop the skills to take a more active role in their communities through, for example, volunteering. Julie Rushton, head of MAE said:

“In research carried out last year, 99% of learners said that MAE courses make their lives better.  MAE is looking forward to developing its existing partnership with Wythenshawe Job centre and Wythenshawe Forum Trust, to provide an improved education and employment service for residents and employers.”

Lisa Jones, customer service lead DWP Trafford Cluster, said: “We are proud to be part of this collaboration and see our move into the Forum as our golden opportunity to become a real hub for the community, offering opportunities for our Wythenshawe customers.”

Sue Boyer is the job centre manager and is equally pleased with the relocation: “This is a fantastic opportunity to build on existing partnerships with Wythenshawe Forum Trust, MAE and the library, to support our jobseekers on their customer journeys under the ‘Forum Opportunities’ umbrella.

Forum Opportunities will be launched formally at a business breakfast and jobs fair on 25 May. Customers and residents will have the opportunity to meet partners, providers and employers, including disability confident employers.

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