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Events and News

News

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Our Future – Life Skills Support Programme
The Our Future programme helps young people with learning disabilities and/or autism build everyday life skills. It includes group and one-to-one sessions covering topics like confidence, digital safety, relationships, health, budgeting, and travel. You may be eligible if you're aged 17 and a half or older and live in the Manchester City Council area.

To find out more, contact your social worker, the Manchester City Council Contact Centre, or call Pure Innovations on 0161 804 4400 and ask for the Our Future team.

You can also email OurFuture@pureinnovations.co.uk 

Business Support - Strangeways & Cambridge Street Area

Are you a business based in the Strangeways or Cambridge Street area? Discover the wide range of fully funded support available to help your business grow and thrive.

Book a one-to-one appointment to explore:

• Access to business finance and expert mentoring
• Strategies for growth and workforce development
• Fully funded training, including digital and online skills
• Opportunities to connect with other local businesses
• Free access to market and consumer research databases
• Guidance on navigating changes from the Strategic Regeneration Framework

Appointments are available in person or via Microsoft Teams.

To book your session, or for more information,
please email: strangeways@manchester.gov.uk

Digishawe Booklet

This useful resource has been created by the 'Digishawe' network, a small partnership group creating initiatives to help Wythenshawe residents get online and access digital support in the local area.

Digishawe Booklet: Helping residents to get online

GM Get Online: A Guide to Digital Support Offers for Disabled People

This booklet from GMCA is packed with information about different organisations across Greater Manchester offering a range of online support; most of which is free or at a reduced cost.

Get Online Greater Manchester: A Guide to Digital Support Offers for Disabled People (greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk)

Government funded childcare launching April 2024 and an expansion of Before and After School provision for working parents from September 2024.

Childcare Choices: Get the help that fits your family, so you can juggle work and life

Thousands of families could be saving money on their childcare costs. But some simply don’t know what support they might be eligible for.

The Childcare Choices website brings together all the existing childcare offers in one place, so parents can get the help that fits their family. This could be through Tax-Free Childcare, 30 Hours Childcare, or Universal Credit Childcare. Some families might be eligible to use more than one childcare scheme together and get the most out of it.

And from next year even more help is on the way:

• From September 2024, the 15 hours childcare offer was expanded to eligible working parents in England with children between 9 and 23 months old.
• From September 2025, eligible working parents in England with children between 9 months up to school age will have access to 30 hours childcare.

Support is also expanding for primary-school aged children – from September 2024, parents are expected to see an expansion in the availability of childcare in their local area before and after school, between 8am and 6pm, also known as ‘wraparound care’.

Don’t miss out on getting the support you are entitled to. Visit the Childcare Choices website to check what offer you might be eligible for and sign up to their newsletter to get the latest updates about the childcare support expansion.

Manchester Active

Grant funding for children and young people’s cycling activity

As part of the Manchester European Capital of Cycling, Manchester Active is pleased to announce the Manchester Active small grant programme is now live!

Manchester Active is offering small grants of up to £500 to community groups to engage children and young people between the ages of 6 to 16 years in cycling, including putting on events and activities.

The delivery period is between now and the end of December 2025.

Please note the funding is for cycling delivery within the Manchester City Council area.

Smartworks | Supporting Women into Work 

Smart Works is a UK charity that exists to empower all women who need help getting into work.

They support unemployed women aged 16+ into work by providing free, high-quality clothing and personalised 1-1 coaching services.

They work across all Boroughs of Greater Manchester, delivering appointments in the Centres in Stockport and Manchester, and they also offer virtual appointments.

Do you need an interview outfit or more understanding of your interview?

Find out more about their employment support here: Smartworks Employment Support
or reach out to the team on:
tel. 0161 974 0669
email. greatermanchester@smartworks.org.uk

View Dorcas story, hear how Smart Works supported her with an interview outfit and improved her confidence ready for interview. Video for clients - Dorcas' story

To arrange an appointment, Smart Works work on a referral basis. An organisation supporting you to find work can get in touch with the Smart Works team to make a referral, e.g., Job Centres, Ingeus, other employment services you may be working with or other support services you may be accessing. You can also reach out to your local library to make a referral.

Events

Flourish Together CIC🆕

Mentor-a-thon 

Flourish Together CIC are delighted to invite you to participate in a mentor-a-thon organised by Manchester Social Economy Alliance, backed by Manchester City Council. It’s open to people running or leading social enterprises, charities or profit for purpose organisations, businesses or start-ups and you need to either be based in or having a significant  impact in Manchester.

Dates:

• Wednesday, 7 January 2025
• Thursday, 8 January 2025

Venue:
DiSH, Heron House, 47 Lloyd Street, Manchester, M2 5LE

What is a Mentor-a-thon?
Participants will:

• Troubleshoot challenges and gain new perspectives
• Access cross-sector business support
• Share a challenge with a ‘sounding board’ group of mentors through a structured discussion
• Enjoy networking and workshops across both days

How to Apply:

• Complete the Expression of Interest form by 30 December 2025 for Mentor-a-thon 

Information Session:

• Monday, 15 December – 12:00 pm

Community Dining Event🆕

Employment Events

NWAS Careers Live Chat🆕

National carers service  🆕

Getting into the Civil Service

BuildLikeaPro -  Manchester 

Caribbean and African Carol Service 2025

Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) is hosting the Greater Manchester Caribbean and African Community Carol Service at Manchester Cathedral. This festive evening will feature community choirs, orchestral music, candlelight readings, a Christmas play, and refreshments. Celebrate unity, culture, and the joy of Christmas with friends and family.

Date: Tuesday 9 December 2025
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Location: Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX
Cost: Free

Volunteer Centre Manchester – Drop-In Sessions

Volunteer Centre Manchester is inviting residents to drop in and meet the team at Manchester Central Library. These sessions are open to anyone interested in volunteering or finding great opportunities.

The team can help you:

• Explore a wide range of volunteering roles
• Access guidance and information about volunteering
• Get extra support if needed to start volunteering

Details:
Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD
Meetings usually last around 30 minutes
No booking required, but you can book a slot for a reminder

Kurry Kitchen Thursdays – Old Trafford

Empower Consultants has launched Kurry Kitchen Thursdays, a new community initiative empowering women from the South Asian community to turn their culinary skills into thriving businesses.

Running every Thursday from 12 PM to 2 PM, the project offers authentic cooked meals for just £3 per plate, with both vegetarian and meat options available.

This initiative aims to create opportunities, celebrate culture, and strengthen community ties.

Event Details:
 Every Thursday- 12 PM – 2 PM
 Bluesci Old Trafford Wellbeing Centre, Seymour Grove, M16 0LN
 £3 per meal

Ethnic WorkWell Programme – Job Insight & Training Opportunity

Empower Consultants CIC and ACMHS are hosting a Job Insight and Training Opportunity event to showcase training, qualifications, and employment opportunities in various industries.

Sectors include: Care, Construction, SIA, Hospitality, Transport, and Call Centre/Administration.
Guest Speaker: Janet Wong, The Growth Company

Date: Monday 15 December 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Windrush Millennium Centre, 70 Alexandra Road, Manchester, M16 7WD

For more info or to book your spot:
Tel: 07895 971 973 | 0161 226 9562
Email: clementine@ethnicworkwell.org.uk

Learning Curve Hair & Beauty Academy – Open Day

Thinking about a career in Hair & Beauty? Drop in to explore the Manchester academy and find out about courses starting in 2026.

What to expect:

• Tour the academy and meet the team
• Learn about accredited courses (Levels 1–4)
• Funding options available, including 19+ Advanced Learner Loan

Register your attendance:
Interest Register & Open Days – Learning Curve Hair & Beauty Academies North

Employment Event

Breakfast Event at Mantra Learning

Join Mantra Learning for a free breakfast event offering insight into learning facilities and real work experience opportunities.

Includes:

• Complimentary breakfast muffin (vegetarian options available)
• Hot and cold drinks and snacks
• Guided tour of warehouse facilities
• Insightful feedback from previous attendees including Rochdale Council and DWP

Northmoor Homework Plus Club

This free project for 8 to 16 year olds is back open after the summer holidays and waiting to help your child succeed.

Northmoor will be providing support with children’s homework, namely Maths, English and other subjects.

**All new and returning students are required to register/ re-register with their parent/legal guardian***

For more info Find out more about Northmoor Homework Club

Northmoor Community Association

Website: Northmoor Community Association
Tel. 0161 248 6823
Email:  info@northmoorcommunity.org

The Manchester College

Start something new this January at The Manchester College

Looking to make a change or try something new? An adult course starting from January 2026 could be the perfect next step. Whether you want to boost your confidence, gain new qualifications or take your career in a new direction, they’re here to help you get started.

Courses are available across a wide range of subject areas, including: • Business & Professional • Computing & Digital • Construction & Engineering • ESOL • Foundation Learning • Health & Social Care • Hospitality & Catering • Logistics • Music

The Manchester College offers plenty of practical support to help learners along the way, including guidance on funding, careers and student support. If you’re eligible, financial support may also be available to help with course costs, travel or childcare, so you can focus on your future without barriers.

Visit their website to explore your options and apply online today for January start courses.