Free Bus Travel Anytime for Concessionary Passholders
Older and disabled people are celebrating as concessionary passholders have free round-the-clock travel on all buses in Greater Manchester from 1 March 2026.
'Add Tram and Train’ expiry reminder email trial for older person’s concessionary travel pass
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is trialling a new email reminder for older person’s concessionary travel pass holders with the ‘Add Tram and Train’ entitlement. The three-month pilot is in response to customer feedback via the Greater Manchester Older People’s Network and Equality Panel and the Age-friendly Stockport Board and will be reviewed in summer 2026.
The ‘Add Tram and Train’ entitlement costs £10 per year for concessionary travel pass customers and gives unlimited off-peak travel on trams and trains in Greater Manchester.
From February 2026, customers whose ‘Add Tram and Train’ entitlement is expiring and have registered their email address with TfGM will receive a reminder from customer@tfgm.com. Emails will be sent around 7 days before the end of each month in February, March, and April, advising customers of their ‘Add Tram and Train’ expiry date and how to renew for another year:
• On a Bee Network bus (same day purchase and activation)
• Information and Ticket Office (Travel Shop) (purchase up to 28 days in advance)
• PayPoint store (purchase up to 7 days in advance)
Customers who have not registered their email address with TfGM and wish to receive a reminder email can update their contact details at www.tfgm.com/my-pass
 Repair Week 2026
Join us at The Monastery Manchester for RepairFest 2026, a special community event celebrating sustainability, repair and reuse as part of Greater Manchester Repair Week.
For one day only, all nine Repair Cafés from across Greater Manchester will come together in the magnificent surroundings of the Great Nave, offering free (or very low cost) repairs, demonstrations and opportunities to learn practical skills that help reduce waste and extend the life of everyday items.
Whether you have something in need of repair, or are simply curious to learn more, everyone is warmly welcome.
From: 12-3pm, Sunday 8th March, 2026
 Harpurhey Together presents: The Happy Harpurhey Festival 22nd – 28th March 2026
Get ready for a full week of fun, movement, and feel-good activities as Harpurhey comes together to celebrate health, wellbeing, and community spirit!
The Happy Harpurhey Festival is all about boosting positive habits, encouraging active lifestyles, and creating opportunities for connection. With a programme designed to be inclusive, welcoming, and age-appropriate, there’s something for everyone—children, young people, adults, and families.
We’re kicking things off with a big community launch event: Community Walk – Sunday 22nd March at Boggart Hole Clough (TBC) A great way to get moving, meet neighbours, and start the week on a high.
Throughout the festival you’ll be able to get involved in a brilliant mix of activities, including: Karaoke Beauty treatments Live music Pizza-making workshop Drum Therapy Animal Therapy Mindful Mums session …plus plenty more to be announced!
This festival is a true community effort, delivered in partnership with local Councillors, the MCC Neighbourhood Team, and fantastic community organisations and groups across Harpurhey.
If you’d like to take part, volunteer, or offer an activity, we’d love to hear from you. Contact: kate.tite@manchester.gov.uk
 Pride in Place: Apply for the position of Community Chair
Over the next 10 years, four areas in Manchester will receive up to £20 million.The aim is to improve neighbourhoods by funding the things local people care about most.
Four areas have been chosen:
- Benchill South and Wythenshawe Central
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Clayton Vale (parts of Clayton, Openshaw, Newton Heath and Miles Platting)
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Gorton South (parts of Longsight, Gorton, Abbey Hey and Levenshulme)
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Harpurhey South and Monsall (parts of Harpurhey, Moston and Crumpsall).
Each area will set up a Neighbourhood Board. These boards will:
- bring residents and local groups together
- listen to what people want
- help plan and oversee local improvements
This is a voluntary role.
Please send a short expression of interest (up to 500 words or one A4 page). Tell us:
- Your connection to the area
- How your skills and experience match the role.
Email your expression of interest to: community@manchester.gov.uk.
Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 29 March 2026.
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Ageing Without Children 2026 Survey
Ageing Without Children (AWOC) is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting and advocating for people who are ageing without the support of adult children. We are currently reviewing our strategy to decide our priorities for the next 4 years and we are running a short survey to find out more about your experiences and views. The survey closes on 20 March. Thank you for your time.
If you have any queries about AWOB or about the survey please contact us via our contact page.
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 Health and Wellbeing Week – Miles Platting and Newton Heath ward 16th – 22nd March 2026
A week of feel-good activities in Miles Platting and Newton Heath ward, to promote health and wellbeing and encourage connections with local people.
Come and try a new activity and talk to organisations that can help with the cost of living and developing positive lifestyle changes. Look out for the programme of activities coming soon.
If you’d like to take part, volunteer, or offer an activity, we’d love to hear from you. Contact: zoe.goddard@locality.org.uk or Claire.Duffy@mft.nhs.uk
Could you make a difference for a Manchester child?
Fostering is a rewarding way to support your community. By caring for a local child, you help them stay close to their school, friends and familiar surroundings.
Manchester urgently needs more foster carers so if fostering has ever crossed your mind, our friendly Fostering Team can talk to you about the different ways you could foster.
Manchester City Council’s Children’s Services are rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and we offer excellent training, support, competitive pay with tax‑free allowances.
 Home Fire Safety Checks
Do you have a family member, neighbour, or friend aged 65+, that lives in Greater Manchester?
Data shows that older people are at increased risk of fire, so they are eligible for a free Home Fire Safety Assessment delivered by us.
Please help to spread the word about our Home Fire Safety Assessments, to keep your loved ones safe from fire this winter.
Visit website to fill in the Online Home Fire Safety Check and to make a referral: https://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/your-safety/hfsa/
Also, you could continue to share the Charge Safe resources: https://manchesterfire.gov.uk/your-safety/campaigns/e-scooters-e-bikes-and-batteries/
 At Rainbow's End - Free Theatre performance re older LGBTQ+ receiving care.
A verbatim play addressing homophobic and transphobic abuse of older LGBTQ+ people in care and receiving care in later life. Presented by members of Artemis Theatre Company March 21st and 22nd.
Tickets are free and can be booked here At the Rainbows End – Hope Mill Theatre or call 0161 275 9141
Each performance is followed by a panel with the writer and informed panellists.
Manchester Museum Culture Monday 23 March
Welcoming spring through culture, dance, and music!
From 10:30 am to 2 pm.
Manchester Museum opens its doors for a special day of culture, dance and music aimed at people aged 50 and over on this Age Friendly Culture Monday.
Not open to the public on Mondays, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy the Museum galleries at a quiet time and to get closer to its collections, guided by members of the Visitor Team and wonderful volunteers.
After several Culture Mondays, the Museum proudly affirms that this programme has become a favourite among audiences over 50 years old, and each session offers a variety of enjoyable activities for people to participate in, and also space and flexibility for those who prefer to visit some of the Museum galleries at their own pace.
The Monday 23rd of March session, is a collaboration with the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama and the institution for Indian Culture Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Manchester.
In the morning, the programmed activities at the Museum will be linked with South Asia Gallery and South Asian Culture. Including: Kathak dance drop-in workshop; tours in South Asia Gallery.
In the afternoon, we will head off to the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama - just round the corner from the Museum- to enjoy a concert by the University of Manchester resident klezmer ensemble, performing a programme of modern and traditional arrangements of music originating in Eastern European Yiddish cultures.
Please note the Museum Cafe is closed of Mondays. We will provide tea and coffee, and you are more than welcome to bring your packed lunch.
The Museum Shop will be open until 12:45 pm.
This event can be booked via Eventbrite, by emailing maria.ramosacevedo@manchester.ac.uk or by calling 07818 578 474
Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/culture-monday-welcoming-spring-through-culture-dance-and-music-tickets-1983961553413?aff=oddtdtcreator [eventbrite.co.uk]
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House of Books and Friends Chatty Café Table & Volunteering Opportunity
House of Books & Friend's mission is to combat loneliness and social isolation. We know how hard it can be to connect with people and make new friends; that’s why we’re proud to be a Chatty Café host. Our lovely Chatty Café Volunteers will be around the following times this month to have a natter to our lovely customers:
Every Monday and Wednesday: 12 – 1pm
Where: House of Books & Friends, 81 King St, Manchester M2 4AH
Currently recruiting Chatty Café volunteers! If you would like to volunteer to help host a Chatter & Natter table, please email lara.bland@thegunnercookefoundation.com
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 Martin Harris Centre Free Concert:
Klezmer Ensemble - The Michael Kahan Kapelye
The fifteenth generation of the university’s resident klezmer ensemble returns to perform a vibrant programme of modern and traditional arrangements of music originating in Eastern European Yiddish cultures.
Where: The University of Manchester, Bridgeford St, Manchester M13 9PL
When: 1pm Monday 23 March
Free: No booking required.
Many other free lunchtime concerts in March see Martin Harris events website.
Or call: 0161 275 8951
 Dementia Music Cafe
Manchester Camerata Orchestra is working with Together Dementia Support to deliver two weekly Dementia Music Cafes in Manchester (part of a broader programme of 20 Music Cafes across GM).
Free for people living with dementia and their carers to attend.
No musical experience needed
Empower people with dementia to express themselves through music
Find new ways to communicate
A lifeline of support for carers
Every week in term time
Chorlton Central Church, Monday 1.30 – 4pm
Crumpsall Methodist Church, Friday 11 – 12.30pm
For information: claire@togetherdementiasupport.org or
Call: 0161 226 7186
Chetham's Library National Lottery Open Day!
Free. Saturday 14th March. 1-4pm
As part of this year’s National Lottery Open Week, Chetham’s Library invites you to join us for an afternoon behind-the-scenes event.
To celebrate the launch of our ‘Lost and Found’ exhibition, visitors will be able to explore the medieval building, encounter items from our collections and discover how we preserve them for future generations.
Children and grown-ups alike can also take part in a fun scavenger hunt in the building.
Entry is free, but you must bring your National Lottery ticket with you to gain entry. For more information visit our website.
Free Friday Night Jazz every Friday from 5-7pm
Drop in and enjoy a relaxing drink in the Stoller Hall atrium whilst listening to live jazz music from students on the Chetham’s School of Music jazz course, as well as other local jazz musicians.
No need to book - just drop in and stay as long as you like!
For more information visit library.chethams.com or ring the Stoller Hall box office on 0333 130 0967 Tuesday – Thursday 1.30pm – 4pm.
 Age UK Manchester - Scams Awareness and Advice
Age UK Scams Service supports older people in Greater Manchester by giving talks on techniques that scammers use to trick people. The talks also advise on what to do if you've been scammed.
The service can be delivered to groups or individuals. To find out more call 0161 833 3944 or see website here.
 Key benefits for people over State Pension Age
This 1 hour 55 minutes online course (using Teams) aims to give frontline workers an introductory overview of key benefits for people over State Pension Age, including Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment. We’ll also demonstrate how to use the online entitledto benefits calculator.
This course is aimed at non-welfare benefits advice roles.
By the end of the session you should be able to:
- explain what Pension Credit is, who may be eligible and how to claim
- know when to ask for or signpost to specialist advice
- explain what Attendance Allowance is, who may be eligible and how to claim
- use the online benefits calculator to help someone see if they may be missing out on benefits
- have some strategies for starting the conversation about claiming benefits with people who you work with
- explain what Pension Age Disability Payment is, who may be eligible and how to claim
This training is relevant to those supporting older people in England, Scotland and Wales.
 Manchester's cost of living advice line
The Council's free telephone cost of living advice line offers support with benefits and help with your rent, advice about debt and paying bills , Winter Fuel Payment Hardship Fund, food support and help to get online (support to access the internet, laptops, phones and data).
The advice line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm. Call 0800 023 2692 or text 07869 022 876 visit manchester.gov.uk/coladvice
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