 Cold Weather Conversations Toolkit - Winterwise
The Cold Weather Conversations toolkit, developed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Independent Age, in consultation with older people in Greater Manchester, is designed to help organisations communicate cold weather risks and support older adults’ health and wellbeing during winter. Each year, thousands of older adults in the UK face preventable health risks due to cold weather, with excess winter deaths remaining a significant concern. This toolkit provides practical guidance for organisations to strengthen winter preparedness and deliver clear, effective messages to those most at risk.
Download the Toolkit here
The toolkit includes information on:
• Planning Ahead: Guidance on signing up for the Government’s Weather-Health Alerting system and using action cards to plan responses at different alert levels.
• Effective Communication: Tips for briefing staff and volunteers, using trusted channels like GPs, community centres, and local newsletters, and promoting warm spaces.
• Direct Support: Encouragement for frontline staff to attend free Winterwise training, distribute the Winterwise guide, and check in with individuals most likely to be impacted by extreme cold, especially those who are isolated, have health conditions, or face digital/language barriers.
• Ready-to-Use Messaging: Suggested short and long text messages for communicating with older people about staying warm, accessing benefits, and finding community support.
 Manchester Council Budget Consultation 2026/27
Introduction
The Council will set a budget for 2026/27 that looks to the future with confidence – not just protecting frontline services but investing in the things you’ve told us matter the most to you and building back some of the things that were hit by austerity.
Your views in this consultation will help shape the final package of proposals for how we spend our resources.
We want to know your priorities to ensure they’re reflected in our decisions as we begin to slowly build back the things that were cut so we can make our city even better.
Have your say before 5pm on Wednesday 28 January 2026 here.
 Start Your Own Business for over 50s
Have you ever dreamed of becoming your own boss? If so, now's the time to make that a reality!
There’s even a £500 cash prize for the best business idea.
💡 Full concession places are available to people who are unemployed or earning under £27,000. Startup School for Seniors is a six-week online course starting 22nd January 2026, designed for people aged 50+ who are ready to explore self-employment — and it’s open to anyone 19+.
Led by experienced entrepreneurs Mark Elliott and Suzanne Noble, the course provides:
- Weekly group sessions and expert guidance
- Practical tools to turn ideas into income
- A supportive community of like-minded learners
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1-to-1 business advice built into the programme
📅 Course begins 22nd January 2026. 🔗 Find out more and register today: startupschoolforseniors.com
Have Your Say: Help Shape the Future of Care Homes in Manchester - Deadline Feb. 15, 2026
Manchester City Council is working to design care homes that feel personal, dignified, and truly ‘like home.’
We want to understand what matters most to people who may consider living in a care home in the future. Your views will play a vital role in shaping our commissioning priorities and ensuring services reflect the needs of our communities.
Take part in a short online survey today and share your thoughts.
As a thank you, you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £50 Love2shop voucher!
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Gateway M40
Senior Advice Sessions
Contact: 0161 202 3511
info@gatewayM40.org
www.gatewayM40.org
Wilsons Park, Monsall Road, Manchester M40 8WN
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Ring & Ride service review – have your say Deadline: Feb 9, 2026
Have you used the Ring & Ride minibus service? Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) want your feedback to help shape the future of the service.
Ring & Ride is an accessible, low-cost minibus service for people over 70 with walking difficulties and disabled people to get to hospital, the nearest town centre, or accessible transport hub.
The review will look at how Ring and Ride can fit into the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s joined-up transport system, to make travel easier and how to use resources in the best way possible.
- Current service users will be sent a paper copy of the survey with a Freepost return envelope. If you haven’t received your paper copy by the middle of January, please call the TfGM contact centre 0161 244 1000 Monday to Friday: 7am to 8pm, Weekends and Bank Holidays: 8am to 8pm.
- Individuals and groups can fill in the online survey Local Link/Ring & Ride Surveys - Greater Manchester Combined Authority - Citizen Space
- Groups or organisations can join an online feedback session by emailing flexibletransport@tfgm.com
- Anyone who finds it difficult to complete the online survey can send feedback to flexibletransport@tfgm.com ; support for non-English speakers is available by calling 0161 244 1000.
 New Project: Gorton Together
Gorton Central stands as a unique symbol of community resilience and grassroots activism in East Manchester. From its industrial roots in the 1960s to its transformation into a democratic, community-led centre, the building has played a vital role in enhancing the lives and aspirations of local residents.
The Gorton Together project will collect oral histories, photographs, documents, and artefacts that reflect the centre’s evolution and the social movement that shaped it. These materials will form a publicly accessible archive, directly supporting the goals of organisations like Manchester Archives, which prioritise the preservation of heritage from working-class communities.
The project will highlight the centre’s historic status and its role in shaping East Manchester’s identity.
Gorton Together invites residents, former workers and community members to contribute their memories and materials. Workshops, exhibitions, and events will be held throughout the project to engage the public and celebrate Gorton’s vibrant heritage.
Weekly social engagement Drop-in sessions will be on Mondays at Gorton Central 1-3pm, refreshments will be provided.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Amanda Aitken amanda@HMHC.co.uk or visit www.hmhc.co.uk, Facebook
 Financial Assessments & Charges for Adult Social Care - Deadline February 6, 2026
We would like your help
Have you had experience with Manchester City Council’s financial assessments and charges for Adult Social Care? Please take our short survey—your feedback helps improve services for you and the Manchester community.
The survey should only take ten minutes to complete. Your responses will remain anonymous. Please scan the QR code or click on this link to access the survey
Citizen Survey: Your Experience with Financial Assessments and Care Charges
 Microgrants for Age Without Limits Day 2026!
Community groups or voluntary organisations in Age-friendly Communities can apply for up to £500 (plus £150 for accessibility) to host creative events tackling ageism on Wednesday 10th June 2026.
Apply by: 1 February 2026
Details & application: agewithoutlimits.org/article/age-without-limits-day-2026-microgrants-community-groups
 Chatty Table and Brew Monday at House of Books and Friends
House of Books & Friend's mission is to combat loneliness and social isolation. It can be hard to connect with people and make new friends; that’s why they’re inviting you to drop in and enjoy a complimentary hot drink and natter with one of their lovely Chatty Café volunteers in celebration of Brew Monday!
The Chatty Table runs every Monday, Tuesday and 3rd Sunday from January 12th. No need to book - just drop in and stay as long as you like!
Brew Monday on the 19th of January will be a one off event.
When: Monday 19th January, 11am – 4pm
Where: House of Books and Friends, 81 King St, Manchester M2 4AH
 What's On at Chetham’s and Stoller Hall
Free Relaxed Lunchtime Concerts
Enjoy classical music with young musicians from Chetham’s School of Music.
Chetham's welcomes you to a relaxed and friendly space with no dress code, easy access, and flexible seating. Enjoy good company, music for everyone, and a free brew and biscuit. Come along, settle in, and make yourself at home. Perfect for those wishing to experience live classical music for the first time.
1:30pm Wednesday 4th February, Wednesday 4th March
Booking in advance is recommended. Reserve your free place by visiting stollerhall.com or by calling the Stoller Hall box office at 0333 130 0967 (Tuesday – Thursday, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm).
Free Friday Night Jazz
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!
Every Friday from 9th January. 5-7pm
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