Inspire Magazine - Summer 2016

INSPIRE
Summer 2016
www.facebook.com/inspiremagazine
homes | health | community | support
magazine
Bee ready for
benefit changes
with the one
money team
Read more on page 4
Win
FC United
tickets!
See page 17
5 tips to
get the job
you want
Find out more on
pages 8-9
Get involved in
your community
Find out how on page 12

What’s on
The Great Gorton Carnival
Debdale Park
Sunday 4th September
11am-4.30pm
Come and help us celebrate all the good things about Gorton
including the fabulous people that make up the community at the
Great Gorton Carnival. The parade starts at Sacred Heart Primary
School and finishes at Debdale Park.
W
y
GarrattWay
Procession travels through
Gorton Market and pauses for 30
minutes on car park of Tesco
Procession ends with carnival in
Debdale Park on the football field
Chapman Street
man Street
Wellington Street
Knutsford Road
Levenshulme Road
Hyde Road A57
Debdale Park
Finish
Procession starts
at Sacred Heart
Primary School
Levenshulme
Road
Sch
Start
Procession passes
McDonald’s on Wallway
and onto Hyde Rd
Reddish Lane
Debdale
Debdale Lane
There will be live performances on stage, circus entertainers, brass
band, jazz band, birds of prey, dog show, dog display, fancy dress
competition for adults and children, bowls competition, as well as the
funfair and market stalls.
Caribbean
Carnival of
Manchester
The Manchester Caribbean
Carnival will once again be
bringing vibrant colours and
music to the streets of Moss
Side and Hulme on 13 and 14
August 2016. The parade will
start from Alexandra Park at
12.30pm with this year’s theme
being Bajan. We’ll be joining
in the merriment so look out
for the One Manchester team
during the weekend.
Pride and joy
The 29 August sees the annual
Pride event hitting the streets
of the city with the theme of
‘Once Upon a Time’. This year
we’ve teamed up with Sunday
Assembly (see page 12)
so will be warming up our
vocal chords for a good old
sing-song. We’re handing
over the decorating to tenants
so if you would like to be a part
of the fun contact phil.lukes@
onemanchester.co.uk
Culture
vultures
Manchester is renowned
for being at the forefront of
culture, with an abundance
of theatres, galleries and
creative spaces across the
city. But for lots of reasons,
not everyone makes the most
of the activities on offer. That’s
why we’re always looking for
cultural ambassadors to help
make sure local people enjoy
the city’s activities. So whether
rugby, theatre or comedy is
your thing, contact phil.lukes@
onemanchester.co.uk to find
out how you can get involved.
2 | @onemcr

Featured
Inside this issue
Meet the One Money team
4
8
Important benefits changes
5
12
5 tips to get the job you want Funding for community projects
Also
Inside this issue
Youth zone 6
One Manchester updates 7
Mancunians mean business 10
One Community 12
Volunteers’ Week 16
In the garden 18
Customer advice 19
develop
Support
independence
advice
one
budget
youth finances
wellbeing
Lifestyle
one
life
one
money
A new look for One Manchester
Healthy
house one
balanced
home
Age Friendly
Pride
Hulme & Moss Side
career
potential
Partnership one Public Forum
future
14
Space
community
one
place
environment
sustainable
maintain
improve
Summer of sport
Over the coming months you’ll notice some
Age Friendly Hulme & Moss Side will
changes.
be
From
sharing
the signs in our reception
what
areas
they have learnt so far
succeed
to our vans and staff uniforms, you’ll see the
at the next public forum event. There One Manchester will be look everywhere. activities to get involved in, stalls
motivation
And later this year, we’ll be launching the new
to look at and food. Everyone Skills is welcome to find out about the age-friendly
One Manchester website, your one stop shop
for information about the support we can provide,
activities in the one area and IDEAS how you
as
can
well as details
get
of
involved
about how we can work
in the future. For more
venture
together to improve your local community
information about the collaborate day contact and Emily make a long-lasting, Crompton positive impact. on 0161 247 5960 /
Keep up speed on social media:
07973 973184 or e.crompton@mmu.ac.uk
@onemcr
Friday 29 July 11am–2pm at MMU Brooks facebook.com/inspiremagazine
Building, Birley Campus,
53 Bonsall Street, M15 6GX
And of course, we’re always on the
end of the telephone too on 0330 355 1002
onemanchester.co.uk
17
If you can’t make it or want to learn more about the partnership why not
head along to the weekly drop-in every Thursday between 11am–1pm in
the library at the Millennium Powerhouse, Moss Side.
1763 Rebrand Ad DPS 297x210mm FLAT.indd 2 18/07/2016 10:44
www.facebook.com/inspiremagazine
0330 355 1002 | 3

Meet your One
Money team
Did you know we offer our own money
and benefit advice service?
The One Money Mentors provide a
FREE impartial and confidential advice
service on all aspects of money and
benefits including:
• Budgeting
• Prioritising debts
• Benefit entitlements
• Applying for help from charities
or trust funds
• Reducing gas, electric and water bills
• Getting a bank account
• Low-cost insurance cover
We’ve supported
over 800 tenants
in 2015
We’ve helped
customers get
£1.5m in benefits
or fuel and water
costs
We know things can get tight but
there is always a solution and the One
Money team will help find the right one
for you. Contact us today and regain
control of your finances.
Here are some acronyms you may hear
and what they mean.
GPOW Genuine Prospect of Work
DHP Discretionary Housing Payment
ESA Employment & Support Allowance
WTC Working Tax Credit
CTC Child Tax Credit
JSA Job Seeker’s Allowance
HB Housing Benefit
UC Universal Credit
BC Benefit Cap
DLA Disability Living Allowance
PIP Personal Independence Payment
EEA European Economic Area
LHA Local Housing Allowance
AA Attendance Allowance
If you are worried
about money or
benefits, the One
Money team are
here to help.
Contact us today
on 0330 355 1001
or email onemoney@
onemanchester.co.uk
4 | @onemcr

Important changes to benefits
Benefit Cap
We want to make sure our tenants are aware of the
Benefit Cap and what it means for you. Some people
may already be affected, but from autumn 2016 more
people are likely to be hit, most notably couples and
single parents.
The cap on benefits, the maximum amount a family can
receive (lone parent or couple with children), will be reduced
from £500 to £384 per week. The Benefit Cap only applies
to working-age claimants.
If you have three or more children you will be affected. As
a result of this change many people will have their Housing
Benefit cut so if you think you will be affected please call
our One Money team who will be able to advise you on
your options.
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced
with Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
If you currently receive DLA you will receive a letter from
Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) inviting you to claim
PIP. It’s important that you don’t ignore this letter.
Even if your DLA was a “lifetime” or “indefinite” award you
MUST still apply for PIP. The only people that won’t be
affected are children under 16 and existing DLA claimants
born on or before 7 April 1948.
If you have any questions or would like help to complete
the Personal Independence Payment form please contact
the One Money Mentors. The team are specially trained
to answer questions about benefits and money. For
confidential advice and information call the team today
0330 355 1002.
Adrian’s
story
Four and a half years ago, One
Manchester customer Adrian,
from Fallowfield, had given up. He
was grieving, struggling with his
mental health and his benefits had
stopped. As the mountain of unpaid
bills grew, he didn’t know where to
turn. Then he met Wayne, from our
One Money team.
“I was going through a manic episode,
my Nana had just passed away and I had
just given up. None of my bills — utilities,
mobile or anything — had been paid and
my Income Support and Disability Living
Allowance had been stopped but I was
too upset to deal with anything, so my
debts were getting worse and worse.
When One Manchester phoned to tell
me that my Housing Benefit had been
stopped they suggested I meet the One
Money team and I’m so glad I did.
“I was apprehensive at first taking my bag
full of unopened bills and letters to meet
with Wayne because I didn’t know what
to expect, but after the first appointment
I left feeling like a weight had been lifted.
We made a plan of what I needed to
do first like setting up direct debits and
contacting catalogues and utilities to set
up payment plans. Once we’d started
the ball rolling, the letters stopped piling
up and the phone calls stopped. It was
just such a massive relief because when
you’re in debt it’s constantly on your mind
and you end up just shoving letters away
but you can only bury your head in the
sand for so long.
“Knowledge is power and now I’ve gone
through all this and come out on the
other side, I would feel able to pick up the
phone to a utility company or go along
to one of the One Money Mentors
drop-ins if I was worrying about
something because I know now there’s
nothing to feel ashamed of. Wayne has
been a godsend and I’d tell anyone
feeling worried about money to pick up
the phone or go along to one of the
One Money Mentors drop-ins.”
www.facebook.com/inspiremagazine
0330 355 1002 | 5

don’t get stung
by benefit changes!
bee ready with one money!
If you live in a City South or Eastlands Homes property,
the One Money Mentors are here to help you understand the
changes to PIP and the Benefit Cap. To find out more call us
on 0330 355 1001 or email onemoney@onemanchester.co.uk
Youth
ZONE
Scouts day out
Cubs and Beavers from the 2/230th
Manchester Scout Group (Clayton)
recently enjoyed a trip to the cinema
accompanied by staff from One
Manchester. Scout members gain
practical skills and participate in
varied activities to earn badges
for their achievements.
If you have children over the age
of five who would like to join or
if you would like to volunteer
call 07842 698 650 or email
info@2230manchesterscouts.co.uk
Radio stars
Budding radio presenters took the
reigns of local community station All
FM when the youth network visited
their studio. After getting tips and
tricks from the experts following 10
weeks of training, youngsters will now
have the opportunity to create their
own show on a fortnightly basis.
Tune in to All FM 96.9 and have a
listen to the kids in action.
Night at the theatre
A night out at the theatre gave
youngsters the chance to see the
newly revamped show “Into the
Hoods: Remixed” at city centre venue
Home. The trip was part of the Inspire
Programme which enables community
groups to access theatre events at a
discounted price of £1.
Learning Mexican art
A talented skill-swapping group who
regularly meet at East Hub in Gorton
have recently been learning the art of
Mexican weaving. The intergenerational
craft sessions bring a range of age groups
together from the local community in
these interactive and sociable sessions.
If you are under 25 and would like to get involved with the youth network call the office or email
michelle.wright@onemanchester.co.uk / bridget.halliday@onemanchester.co.uk
6 | @onemcr

Updates
The Place at Platt Lane
officially in community hands
After years of hard work
to save Fallowfield Library
and turn it into the modern
and buzzing library and
community resource it has
become, The Place at Platt
Lane is now officially in
community hands. To mark
this fantastic achievement,
there will be a celebration
event on Friday 29 July from
10am – 2.30pm. The event
will start with the official handover led by the Lord Mayor Councillor Carl Austin-
Behan before continuing the celebrations with food and fun activities for all the family.
For more information on The Place at Platt Lane’s transformation visit:
www.bit.ly/theplace1
Anson Community
Shop success
Remember us telling you
about the Anson Community
Shop, one of the projects which
received funding from our One
Manchester Community Fund?
Well it’s going down a storm.
Hulme Living
Two local people who recently attended
an employment skills event are now on
eight week work placements with our
Hulme Living contractor, Keepmoat.
With support in gaining the CSCS cards
needed to work on construction sites,
Adam Billington is currently gaining
experience in groundworks and Aida
Teimouri in design coordination.
Throughout the project, Keepmoat
will also be offering a number of
apprenticeships in a range of disciplines
including brickwork, joinery, plastering,
mechanical, electrical and landscaping.
If you would like to hear about these
apprenticeship opportunities, then make
sure you register your interest with Kelly
Hope, learning and development officer
at Keepmoat at kelly.hope@keepmoat.
com or call 0161 876 6000.
As the work involved the removal of
trees on the Leaf Street and Royce Road
sites, we have committed to planting
even more trees across Hulme. We will
be planting the trees during September
and we welcome your ideas of places
that could benefit. Please send your
suggestions no later than the 31 July to
enquiries@hulmeliving.co.uk
Rusholme’s new community
food-sharing membership scheme
run by dedicated local volunteers
already has more than 50
members picking up a basket full
of bargains every week. Members
pay just £2.50 for food and other
household items worth at least £12,
donated by FareShare, Tesco, M&S, and local donations which would otherwise
go to waste so it’s not hard to see why it’s so popular.
Volunteer Sammy Minshull said: “It’s going brilliantly. Everybody pays the same
membership fee and they can get all kinds of bakery items, toiletries and fresh
fruit and veg. They’re queuing out of the doors because everybody loves it.
And if someone can’t make it to the shop, we can drop food off for them.”
Greater Manchester Mayor Tony Lloyd was certainly impressed when he visited.
He said: “The Anson Community Shop is an inspiring example of what can be
achieved when local people give up their own time and come together to make
a difference in their communities.”
www.facebook.com/inspiremagazine
0330 355 1002 | 7

5 tips to get
the job you want
Getting the perfect job can be tough, but your chances increase
if you upskill yourself. Make the most of the free help in the community
with these five tips to improve your chances:
1. Brush up on your
computer skills
If looking for work online is a little
confusing or you need some
assistance, the free sessions at
East Hub will get you up and
running. From accessing the
internet to sending and receiving
emails, applying for jobs will
become much easier. The
sessions also include
how to use your Universal
Jobmatch account and
searching for work online.
East Hub, Gorton
Thursday 9.30am–12.30pm
2. Stand out from
the crowd
Attending a job search
workshop will explain just what
employers are looking for. You
will also get tips on how to sell
yourself in your application form
and at interview.
The sessions cover:
• Barriers to work
• CV and application
form advice
• Job searching
• Interview techniques
• Workplace behaviour
The sessions are based
at Turing House, Hulme
and you can book a place
by calling the office.
3. Work placements
Have you got recent work
experience and a character
reference? If not, work
placements are a great way
to gain on-the-job training,
boost confidence and are a
stepping stone into employment.
Typically placements are parttime
lasting between two and
eight weeks. Our Gold Standard
work placements have helped
lots of local people into work
and are an opportunity to show
employers your dedication and
desire to succeed.
For details contact Sarah
Roberts, Placement and
Volunteer Coordinator.
8 | @onemcr

Case study
Susan’s
“life-changing”
moment
Susan Manuel-Oni
4. Ask an expert
Not sure whether employment,
education or training is the
right choice for you? If you’re
looking for impartial career
advice then head along to the
drop-in sessions for one-to-one
coaching. You will be able to
chat about your future with an
opportunities coach who will
provide information and advice
to help set you on the
right path.
Come along to one of our drop-ins:
East Hub, Gorton
Monday, Tuesday & Friday
10am–3pm
Turing House, Hulme
Wednesday 12.30–3.30pm
5. Be prepared
Putting the best version of you
in front of employers can be
daunting. Not to worry, help is
at hand. If creating a CV leaves
you a little overwhelmed, then
the CV health check will take the
worry out of job applications.
Whether you’re attending a jobs
fair, recruitment days or need
to apply for a vacancy, the CV
health check will ensure the
layout and information shows
you in your best light. Get honest
and constructive feedback from
experienced staff to improve
your chances of getting the job
you want.
The Place at Platt Lane,
Fallowfield
Wednesday 1.30–4.30pm
(16–19 yrs)
Thursday 12.30–3.30pm (all ages)
Susan Manuel-Oni, 50, had always
made a good living as a hairdresser
- it was all she had ever known.
She hadn’t thought about different
careers until a bad fall left her
unable to carry on hairdressing.
Luckily whilst in a One Manchester
office applying for housing she
noticed a poster advertising some
courses on offer - a moment she
believes, ‘changed her life’.
“All I had ever done was hairdressing.
I was a people person and I loved
it but when I slipped on water and
injured myself badly it took me from
full speed to zero in one day; I didn’t
know what to do with myself.
“Then I went into the One Manchester
office to apply for housing and
spotted a poster while I was there
about the work placements they were
running. I took down the number and
what happened next changed my life.
I met with Sarah from the team who
told me all about the courses and
placements on offer and I got a place
on a customer service course with
Mantra Learning. I went from zero
confidence to high confidence.
“The One Manchester Customer
Service team that I did my placement
with as part of the course were
amazing and I started to realise that
I had transferable skills I’d never
thought about before. I’m chatty, I’m
confident but I hadn’t thought about
how else I could use these skills
because I hadn’t had to until then.
“One Manchester and Mantra gave
me the tools to get out there and
gave me the belief that I could do
it. It set me on a road which has led
me into nursing in the end. I’m so
thankful they found me and gave me
my mojo back.”
For more information about the
support we can offer to help you
find your way back into work visit:
www.bit.ly/omskills
www.facebook.com/inspiremagazine
0330 355 1002 | 9

Mancunians
mean business
The PopUp Business School has been to town
helping to turn Mancunian business dreams into
reality. More than 50 people looking to set up
everything from ceramics to life-coaching, music
to childminding businesses joined the workshops
at Eastlands Asda and Z-Arts in Hulme. They
covered everything from building websites,
setting up social media accounts, tracking down
potential customers, understanding the dreaded
tax rules and using easy tools to take online and
credit card payments.
We’ll be keeping you posted on the new local businesses born out of the PopUp
Business School starting by introducing a few of the course participants.
10 | @onemcr

Yvonne Richards
Gemini Careers Guidance
GeminiCareersGuidance
@gmail.com
Faith Marufu
Fifi’s Happy
Tots
Mark Roberts
Fallowfield Secret Garden
www.fallowfieldsecretgarden.wordpress.com
FallowfieldSecretGarden
thefallowfieldsecretgarden
@gmail.com
As a newly Ofsted-registered childminder,
Faith is hoping to create a ‘home from
home’ for children in her care. She has
gained lots of ideas on how she can get
her business off the ground.
“The guys were all so friendly and
just made everything so nice and
straightforward. They’ve given me
so much confidence, I’m actually like,
‘I can do this’.”
After setting up the Fallowfield Secret
Garden back in 2012, founder Mark is now
keen to take it to the next level by turning it
into a social enterprise. His aim is to start
generating a profit so that he can employ
people by selling wooden garden furniture
and children’s toys crafted at the garden
centre and to deliver training to other
community groups and organisations.
“The PopUp Business School has really
given us a lot of inspiration and helped
break down barriers as we try to bring
in extra skills and make the project
more sustainable. There are plenty of
opportunities for people who want to get
involved in helping us to become a social
enterprise so please get in touch.”
Kenisha Ricketts
Lil Brightsparkz
Brightsparkz
As a newly Ofsted-registered childminder
based in Longsight, Kenisha is now
hoping to grow her childminding business
to work particularly with children with
additional needs.
“I found the PopUp Business School very
interesting. It was five days a week and
I learnt a lot about how to run my own
business.”
Yvonne spent many years working as a
careers advisor before stopping to bring
up her children. She is now looking
to launch her own careers guidance
business and went along for new ideas
to help get her business off the ground.
“I’m old so I don’t do social media but I
know I have to if I want my business to
work. The PopUp Business School made
learning the tools you need easy, fun
and didn’t overload me which has really
helped and will change the way I can
make my business work.”
Ayodeji Olofintila
V2020
www.vision2020leadershipinitiative.btik.com
vision2020leadershiptraining
@gmail.com
@V2020I
Ayodeji is the chair/
project director of
the V2020 initiative,
an international
trainer and youth
champion. V2020
is a Gorton-based
charity established to offer diversionary
activities to help prevent idleness,
vandalism, and crime among young
people with little or no access to play,
training, sport,
or community activities. He was
particularly interested in developing his
social media skills.
“Although I already use social media, the
PopUp Business School has shown me
how I can better use different social media
platforms to publicise our events and
training opportunities.”
Hamida Mbaga
All Things African
Hamida Mbaga
Hamida aims to
support deprived
communities in
Tanzania to earn a living
by selling African-produced fashion,
jewellery, footwear and arts and crafts.
She found the workshop very useful,
particularly learning about social media.
“Every day I hear about Twitter but I didn’t
know how to use it. The PopUp Business
School has been very useful in making us
realise that you don’t have to have money
to start a business. There are different
ways I can use social media to promote
the work of African artists.”
Catherine Meechan
@C_Ness_
Catherine is a Media Tech graduate with
a Joint Masters in Digital & Social Media
Marketing who has some innovative ideas
for bringing communities together using
new media. She is
eager to connect
with people who can
make use of her skills
while she continues
to develop her
business idea.
“I found the PopUp
Business School a
really great event. It was really nice to
meet up with people and share ideas. My
takeaway from the course is that you learn
to adapt your strategies to provide shortterm
success as well as
long-term success.”
If you would like to be contacted about future business initiatives email enterprise@onemanchester.co.uk
www.facebook.com/inspiremagazine
0330 355 1002 | 11

3 ways to get involved
in your community
Community
Soup has
arrived!
Traditionally tea and cake brought
communities together, but now it’s all
about soup. The trend that started in
Detroit is coming to Manchester and
we want you to be a part of it. A Soup
celebrates and supports creative
projects in our neighbourhoods,
where local people can enjoy some
food and decide how money should
be spent in their community.
The idea is for local people to come
together to hear pitches from groups
and social enterprises, with each
presenter given four minutes to share
their idea and take four questions from
the audience. Attendees then vote on
the projects they think will benefit their
neighbourhoods the most, with the
winners awarded money from the One
Manchester Community Fund totalling
up to £6,000 at each Soup. You can
keep up-to-date on the winners via our
social media channels. Come along to
the Soups at the following locations:
South Central Manchester
Wednesday 17 August at 6:30pm
Z Arts, 335 Stretford Road,
Hulme, M15 5ZA
South Manchester
Thursday 11 August at 6:30pm
The Place at Platt Lane,
Fallowfield, M14 7FZ
Live better, help often, wonder more
South East Manchester
Tuesday 23 August at 6:30pm
The Oasis Centre, Collier House,
Wellington Street, Gorton, M18 8TX
East Manchester
Wednesday 31 August at 6:30pm
Scout Hut, Seymour Road,
Clayton, M11 4PG
Visit www.onemanchester.co.uk/
community-fund/ for further details,
call Belinda Hayes or email customer.
involvement@onemanchester.co.uk
Digital
champions
The Sunday Assembly
celebrates communities
coming together with
the motto ‘live better,
help often, wonder more’, and is
about to bring its positive vibes to
Manchester. It’s not a religion; just
a celebration of life and everyone is
welcome regardless of their beliefs.
It’s free to attend, not-for-profit and
volunteer run.
They provide practical and inspiring
ideas to help people live the lives they
want to lead and be the people they
want to be. Assemblies encourage
everybody to support one another
12 | @onemcr
and include interesting talks, singing
(mainly pop songs), poetry and playing
games. Afterwards there’s tea, coffee
and cake, giving attendees the chance
to mingle and chat. Outside of the
event social activities are organised
for small groups to maintain the
community spirit.
A monthly Sunday service will begin
on 9 October and the venue will be
announced on our website so look
out for details. If you’d like to find
out more or volunteer at the event
please call Belinda Hayes or email
customer.involvement@
onemanchester.co.uk
Do you know your desktop from
your downloads, your hashtag from
your history? If so we have some
fantastic opportunities to share your
knowledge and help others gain
digital skills.
By volunteering you’ll be helping
housebound people shop online,
old friends re-connect or providing
peace of mind to people that need
to access their bills and bank
accounts day or night. Any amount
of time can make a difference so call
Lesley Brereton or email customer.
involvement@onemanchester.co.uk

Congratulations Damarius!
Having experienced bullying,
Damarius Williams from Moss Side
knows just how difficult it can be
to deal with. That’s why he’s been
working with Manchester Young
Lives to help other young people
spot the signs of bullying and what
to do about it.
Damarius has learning disabilities
which make reading, writing and
many tasks and situations a challenge.
Rather than let this get him down, he
has chosen to use his experiences to
help others. He has been involved with
Manchester Young Lives since he was
little, and has volunteered as a play
leader and peer mentor since he was
Grounds
Maintenance
apprentice
Jay-Anne
does
everyone proud
We’re really proud to report that
our fantastic grounds maintenance
apprentice, Jay-Anne McCabe
from Hulme, was recently named
runner-up in the ‘Intermediate
Apprentice of the Year’ category at
the Greater Manchester Skills for
Business Awards.
Amongst tough competition, judges
praised her ‘desire to use her initiative
to make a difference and overcome
adversity’ and said it was clear that
she ‘goes above and beyond to fulfil
her role’.
Jay-Anne said: “I was over the moon
to be shortlisted but getting the award
made me feel even more proud of what
I’ve achieved. Before I started working
here I would just have seen a patch of
grass but now I look around and see
what a difference I’ve made, or I could
make given half a chance. My goal
13. As a volunteer five days a week he
helps staff open the centre, set-up and
organise activities.
His inspiring efforts were recognised
recently when he was presented
with the Best Endeavour Award by
Superintendent Dave Pestor of Greater
Manchester Police in front of his
proud family at a celebration event at
Manchester Metropolitan University.
Damarius said: “I was nervous but it
made me feel proud. I’ve had loads
of messages on Facebook and from
people on the street saying ‘well done’
because they have read about me in
the paper.”
when I started was just to
stay in work but now I’m more
confident and can see bigger
opportunities. If I can do what
I’ve done in two years, what can I
achieve in the future?”
Mum, Janine, was there to see Jay-Anne
pick up her award and said:
“I’m just so proud of what she’s
achieved. I don’t think even Jay-Anne
knew where the apprenticeship
could lead but with the support of
her manager, Gary Power, and
One Manchester, she’s gone out
of her comfort zone and just keeps
going forward in leaps and bounds.”
It’s onwards and upwards from here as
Jay-Anne now hopes to do her
Level Three in Horticulture and show
other young women what they can
achieve if they put their minds to it.
Gaskell:
The Musical
A Manchester museum became a
theatre in June as three sell-out shows
of ‘Gaskell: The Musical’ took place
at Elizabeth Gaskell House. Ten
weeks of work with enJOY arts and
singer-songwriter Claire Mooney
culminated in a mini-musical inspired
by iconic Victorian writer and adopted
Mancunian, Elizabeth Gaskell.
Janet Heron, 69, a One Manchester
customer from Gorton who played
Elizabeth Gaskell said: “Moving
around Elizabeth Gaskell House as
the stage was a unique way of getting
people to look at the house and find
out more about this inspiring woman.
I’d recommend anyone that’s never
done anything like this before to get
involved in opportunities because it
gave everybody so much confidence.”
www.enjoy-arts.org.uk/
Photograph courtesy of Sangita Mistry
0330 355 1002 | 13

One Manchester,
many opportunities
Born out of the merger of Eastlands Homes and City South Manchester,
One Manchester is much more than just a landlord. From help with managing your
money, job opportunities and start-up business advice, to health and wellbeing
support, we’re committed to improving lives and helping neighbourhoods thrive.
Firmly focused on building a better world,
One Manchester constantly seeks out new
ways to improve the communities we serve
for the benefit of all.
Not only by providing homes people are
proud to live in but by delivering services such
as grounds maintenance, which enhances
our living spaces, provides vital jobs and
can generate valuable income to fund future
improvements. And by offering health and
wellbeing support, that’s much more than just
a focus on physical wellbeing, and includes
promoting social inclusion, addressing money
problems, providing job opportunities and
building strong relationships. It’s a more allround
approach; one we know helps to grow
happier, healthier communities.
money
With sound advice on finance, we’ll
help make money make sense.
one future
one youth
one
Equipping you with all you need to
succeed in the working world.
Supporting a brighter future for
young people of all ages, interests
and backgrounds.
place
Services and support that enhance
lives by improving our neighbourhoods.
one life
Focusing on your health and wellbeing
for a happier, healthier life.
one home
Providing quality homes, whatever
your stage of life or circumstances.
one venture
Supporting local businesses,
start-ups and social enterprises
every step of the way.
14 | @onemcr
The times may be changing but one thing
that won’t be changing is our commitment
to you, our customers. The details of your
tenancy agreement will remain exactly
the same and will be with Eastlands or
City South Manchester, just as before.

develop
wellbeing
Healthy
one
youth
Lifestyle
balanced
Support
one
life
independence
finances
one
money
advice
budget
Space
one
home
house
one
place
maintain
improve
environment
sustainable
one
future
succeed
motivation
one
venture
career
potential
Skills
IDEAS
collaborate
Pride
community
Over the coming months you’ll notice some
changes. From the signs in our reception areas
to our vans and staff uniforms, you’ll see the
One Manchester look everywhere.
And keep later this an eye year, out we’ll for the be launching new One Manchester
the new
One website, Manchester your one website, stop shop your for one information stop shop about
for the information support we about can provide, the support as well we as can details provide, of
as about well how as details we can of work about together how we to can improve work
together your local to community improve your and local make community
a long-lasting,
and positive make impact. a long-lasting, positive impact.
Keep up to speed on social media:
@onemcr
facebook.com/inspiremagazine
And of course, we’re always on the
end of the telephone too on 0330 355 1002
www.facebook.com/inspiremagazine
onemanchester.co.uk
0330 355 1002 | 15

Volunteers’ Week
Volunteer Liz is presented with
a certificate at a Volunteers’
Week thank you lunch in June.
Our volunteers make a huge
difference to the lives of others
by selflessly giving their time
to get involved in all kinds
of different projects across
Manchester. Many of these
projects just couldn’t happen
without volunteers, so we
would like to thank them for
their fantastic contribution.
Introducing some of our
wonderful volunteers:
Name: Sammy Minshull
Role: As a literacy champion Sammy
helps people with their reading and
writing and as an Anson Community
Shop volunteer she helps people get
good quality food and household
goods at an affordable price
(see page 7).
Why? “I got involved because I love
helping people; it’s in my heart. I get
a lot of satisfaction from volunteering
and it’s also built my confidence up
over the years. I think I’d die without it.
Name: David Jones
Role: David volunteers as a digital
champion at Will Griffiths Court
retirement scheme helping teach
people basic IT skills.
Why? “Volunteering has offered me
an enhancement of skills and in return
for that I’ve been welcomed into
Will Griffiths Court. I’m meeting new
people and seeing the participants
enjoying the skills I’m sharing with
them, so you don’t just give, you
receive so much.”
Name: Valerie Beaumont
Role: As a Job Club volunteer at
Turing House in Hulme, Valerie helps
get people back into work.
Why? “I’d been a social worker for
20-odd years but then had to finish
due to ill health which left me feeling
depressed. Volunteering gave me an
outlet, got me back mixing with the
community and meeting new people,
and helped me transfer my skills to
help people get back on their feet.
Seeing people learning and gaining
confidence gave me confidence. I
love volunteering because I feel I’m
helping. I’d be lost without it.”
Name: Fatima Manar
Role: As a cultural ambassador,
Fatima helps to make sure local
people get the chance to enjoy the
theatre, music, art and other cultural
activities on offer in Manchester.
Why? “The theatre and other cultural
activities are often classed as elite
activities that aren’t affordable, but
there are lots of things going on within
walking distance and ways of getting
cheap and even free tickets which
people should benefit from. You don’t
have to be in a classroom to learn.
Culture is entertainment but it’s also
education. As a cultural ambassador
I want to promote cultural activities to
my children and to my community so
they can enjoy and learn.”
Is it time you volunteered?
To find out about volunteering
opportunities call Sarah
Roberts or email sarah.roberts@
onemanchester.co.uk
16 | @onemcr

Summer of Sport
2016 is proving to be a bumper year for sport, with Euro 2016,
Wimbledon and the Rio Olympics giving us a reason to cheer on our
favourite sports stars. What better time to take inspiration and get
involved in a new hobby, and it doesn’t need to break the bank.
Belle Vue Bees
Manchester’s newest rugby league club
Belle Vue Bees are looking for the next
generation of local talent to join their
teams. Their under 9s group is a mixed
gender team of players in school years
3 and 4. The under 12s is a male age
group of players in school years 6 and 7.
It’s a safe and friendly environment and
no experience is necessary.
For under 9s contact Nick on
07500 810602 and under 12s call
Tony on 07720 951727.
Girls getting
involved
Youth coordinators Bridget and Michelle
spent two days at Manchester Youth
Academy in Longsight’s Rushford Park
where the group had an action-packed
couple of days of sports and games.
The girls’ fun-filled event included games
of rounders, tennis and table tennis
amongst others. Due to its popularity,
more events are planned over the
summer holidays. Call Bridget or email
bridget.halliday@onemanchester.co.uk
to find out more.
Parkrun
Parkrun is a free event that’s not only
taking the country by storm, but is
now huge all over the world. At 9am
each Saturday, fun runners, families
and those in training turn up to the local
participating park and run in a timed
5km. It’s not a race, but you’re against
the clock so runners can see their
progress as well as compare themselves
with people across the globe. You must
first register online and take your printed
barcode along each time. Register for
the Platt Fields Park event at
www.parkrun.org.uk/southmanchester
On your bike
If you want to get out on two wheels this summer there
are some fantastic events at the National Cycling Centre.
Scorpions MTB run mountain bike sessions for children
over 8 years old, Saturday 11am–12:30pm, for competent
cyclists who want to learn or progress. Beginners can pick
up the basics on Saturday 1–2pm, for £5.50 at the Learn 2
Ride sessions.
The Centre offers free beginner and intermediate bike
maintenance courses to enable you to cope if you have a
problem whilst out and about. To find out more about any
of these activities visit www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/
events or call 0161 223 2244.
Football for
all the family
Football-fever has gripped the nation this summer and the
excitement of the new season is almost upon us. If you
thought affordable football for all of the family was a thing of
the past, then think again. There are some big derbies coming
up at FC United, with home games just £9 adults,
£5 concessions and £2 for under 18s.
We have two family tickets to give away to an
FC United home game and all you have to do is ‘like’
One Manchester Inspire Magazine on Facebook and
answer this question on the page:
What is the name of FC United’s ground?
All correct entries will be put into a draw and the two winners
of family tickets will be picked at random.
Photograph courtesy of FC United
www.facebook.com/inspiremagazine
0330 355 1002 | 17

Will Griffiths Court
The green-fingered residents of Will
Griffiths Court have been putting their
talents to good use by planting, potting
and growing in their communal garden.
They were provided with an array of flowers
and hanging baskets to brighten up the outdoor
spaces, along with a variety of herbs. With a herb garden now created, meal times
have been made much tastier as they can add their produce into recipes.
Herbs are easy to grow in your garden, yard, on a balcony or your window sill as
they take very little care. Give it a go and see how simple it is to make your meals
more delicious.
Self care with food & herbs
If you want to learn more about the benefit different food types can have then
this workshop includes discussions, practical remedy making, handouts and
freebies. Your health and diet will be assessed to help you make positive
changes and healthier food choices for you and your family. The cost is £15
unemployed* and £45 employed. Contact Jane Placca on 07944 916 196 or
themanchesterherbalist@yahoo.com
The next courses are from 1–4pm at Hulme
Community Garden Centre on the following dates:
21 August = Sleep, anxiety and fatigue
18 September = Skin and first aid
16 October = Coughs, colds and allergies
*Proof required
18 | @onemcr
Pick your own
‘Pick your own’ is the order of the day
at MMU’s Birley Campus in Hulme
where an abundance of culinary herbs
are being grown for the benefit of the
community.
The Sensory Garden at the edible campus
is encouraging people to learn about and
enjoy what’s being grown in their homecooked
meals. The ‘How to Harvest’
guidelines are available by each planter to
ensure herb plants remain healthy for the
future.
If you are a community member and would
like to harvest some of the herbs at Birley,
send an email to bigimpact@mmu.ac.uk.
How does your
garden grow?
School children from Wright Robinson
Sports College have been brushing up
their gardening knowledge during their
Volunteering and Growing Project.
Mainly based at Bickerdike Court in
Longsight, their educational visits have
included Hulme Community Garden Project
and Incredible Edibles in Salford, where
students worked alongside the experts to
pick up the tricks of the trade.

Customer Advice
Keep your water quality clean
Follow these simple steps to make
sure the water you use for drinking and
washing is the very best quality.
• Water sitting in pipes can deteriorate.
If you go away for more than one
week, flush through showers and
taps for several minutes before using
them
• If the hot water in your home is stored
in a hot water cylinder, make sure the
setting on the cylinder thermostat
is at least 60°C
• Keep your taps and showerheads
clean so dirt and bacteria doesn’t
build up
If you have any questions about this
or any aspect of maintaining your
home, please give us a call on
0330 355 1002.
Safe as
houses
With the warmer months here, keeping your
property as safe and secure as possible can
sometimes take a back seat, so GMP has some
useful advice:
1. Don’t leave keys on view - letterboxes and cat-flaps
can make them easy to reach
2. Keep the door key with you or at the side of your
bed
3. Window locks that pull the window into the frame
with a key are usually stronger
4. Check your insurance policy to see the level of
security required on your home
5. Don’t rely on a dog to protect your house - having a
pet should not stop you investing in a burglar alarm
6. Consider joining a Home Watch group
7. If sat outside on a warm day, lock any doors or
windows that are out of view
Good security is designed to stop burglars getting in,
not people getting out. Always close, but don’t lock,
internal doors at night. They hold fire at bay and give
you valuable time in the event of a fire. Always keep
your keys close to make sure you’re not delayed in
an emergency and fit a smoke alarm to give an early
fire warning.
Hate Crime - Don’t
suffer in silence!
A hate crime is any criminal offence that you
believe, or anyone else believes, is motivated by the
offender’s prejudice or hatred of you because of your:
• race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national
origins
• religion
• gender or gender identity
• sexual orientation
• disability
• alternative subculture
Should you experience hate crime which puts you,
your family or your property in immediate danger
then call 999 immediately and ask for the police.
Even if nobody is in immediate danger, it should still
be reported. To report a hate crime in confidence
please visit any of our customer offices or dial one
of the numbers below:
Greater Manchester Police: 101
One Manchester: 0330 355 1002
Manchester City Council: 0161 234 5004
www.facebook.com/inspiremagazine
0330 355 1002 | 19

in a swarm of paperwork
about the dla and
benefit cap changes?
big changes are coming to dla and
benefits… Bee ready with one money!
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being replaced with
Personal Independence Payments (PIP). If you currently
receive DLA you will receive a letter from DWP inviting you to
claim PIP. Don’t ignore this letter as your payment will stop.
If you have 3 or more children, you could be affected by the
Benefit Cap.
Need help to understand PIP or the Benefit Cap?
Speak to our One Money team today on 0330 355 1001
or email us at onemoney@onemanchester.co.uk
If you would like information in another language or format such
as large print or audio, please ask us.
How to
contact
us
Call us on
0330 355 1002
Call Monday to Friday
8am-5.30pm. You can
also phone this number
for emergency repairs
(where there is a danger
to health or safety), 24
hours a day, seven days
a week to be transferred
to the out-of-hours
service.
Useful numbers
We get lots of calls
about issues dealt with
by Manchester City
Council. Here are some
useful numbers which
might save you time.
Permits car parking:
0161 234 4199
Fly tipping:
0161 234 5000
Bins / recycling:
0161 234 5000
Pest control:
0161 234 4928
Council Tax:
0161 234 5000
Housing Benefit:
0161 234 5003
Aids and adaptations:
0161 277 1704
20 | @onemcr