Age Friendly Manchester E-Bulletin Issue 250 - April 2026
Manchester City Council sent this bulletin at 31-03-2026 05:32 PM BST
E-Bulletin Issue 250 – April 2026
Your monthly update of news, events, information and resources for Manchester's older residents.
Age-Friendly Manchester monthly e-bulletin.
The Age-Friendly Manchester Team
Established in 2003 as Valuing Older People, Age-Friendly Manchester is a partnership involving organisations, groups and individuals across the city playing their part in making Manchester a great place to grow older.
News
Elaine Unegbu 'Retires' as Chair of the Age Friendly Manchester Older Persons Board
It is with a touch of sadness but also celebration that Elaine Unegbu has stepped down from the AFM Board. She has been involved with ageing in Manchester for more than 20 years. Firstly with Valuing Older People and then when Manchester became the first WHO Age Friendly City in the UK - she has been the Chair of the AFM Board for a decade.
Elaine has also been on the Our Manchester Forum, the Manchester Climate Change Board, a Making Manchester Fairer Programme Board member as well as a community champion and ambassador across Manchester, Greater Manchester and at national and international levels.
We celebrated Elaine's achievements and contribution in March at the AFM Assembly and Board and we will be doing more later in the spring.
Elaine has given so much time, thought and care into these roles. While she is a hard act to follow, we know that her wisdom and legacy will continue to inspire the Board and the work of Age Friendly Manchester.
We welcome the new Chair Marie Greenhalgh and Deputy Don Berry as well as three new Board Members Juliet Bucknor, Rohina Oram and Ann Sarge.
The Uncertain Futures is a collaborative art and research project that aims to highlight and analyse the intersectional inequalities facing women over 50 around work. This includes inequalities relating to gender, age, race, disability, and migration status. The project was initially developed by artist Suzanne Lacy with Manchester Art Gallery. Following a period of consultation, an Advisory Group formed of women over 50 from Manchester’s diverse communities with Manchester City Council’s Work and Skills Team. It has been supported by a research team from the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. Uncertain Futures combines art, research, and activism through which it aims to achieve social change, and has published a Manifesto to that end.
Well done all especially the 100+ older women from Manchester (including many of the Age-Friendly Older People’s Board & Assembly) who shared their stories and lives!
Manchester Active would like to invite you to participate in the Greater Manchester Walking Festival 2026 (May 1st-31st), to share the joys and benefits of walking with others.
This year’s theme is: Celebrating Connected Communities (how walking and wheeling can bring people together in their local areas), which you can interpret in any way that suits your group.
Add your regular walk(s), or set up a brand new walk as part of the festival. Any types of walks are welcome, though walks are particularly encouraged for women and girls; global majority communities and those that link to health outcomes.
TFGM are inviting applications for their Wheels and Walks and small grants fund.
Wheels and Walks (up to £5,000) – year long package of support for walking and cycling initiatives. Application deadline: 7th April 2026.
Small grants (up to £5,000) - one-off purchases / shorter-term activities – that help people walk, wheel or cycle more. Application deadline: Monday 20th April.
This might include buying adaptive or standard cycles, equipment or storage solutions, or running a small activity to inspire people to travel actively.
Manchester Settlement is recruiting a Project Coordinator for the Live Well in Later Life programme. The post will help older residents across North Manchester stay active, connected and involved in shaping their communities. The post is community based across North Manchester
Salary: £31,000 + great benefits (35 hours per week – fixed term until 31/12/2028)
The post is perfect for someone passionate about community-led change If you’re experienced in community engagement and partnership working, we’d love to hear from you!
Closing Date: Thursday 9th April 12 noon.
Interviews are currently scheduled for 20/21 April
This post is supported by Age Friendly Manchester, Manchester City Council via the Greater Manchester Live Well in Later Life Programme.
Celebrating Ten Years of MUARG: Urban Ageing Research and Action!
Join the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group's (MUARG) 10-year anniversary celebration!
To mark a decade of collaborative research into making cities and communities better for older people, MUARG will host a programme of workshops for older people, community groups, policymakers, third-sector colleagues, researchers, and practitioners.
Join to celebrate and connect as they bring together all their networks! Lunch (and cake!) will be provided for all attendees.
Age-friendly Quick Guides to the Built Environment.
The collection of quick guides offers a simple yet comprehensive overview of age-friendly design considerations. The illustrated guides cover a range of spaces including:
- streets and pavements;
- wayfinding and signage;
- parks and green spaces;
- public and community buildings;
- seating and rest areas;
-toilets;and
- bus stops.
Each guide includes ten top design considerations, illustrated examples of best practice, links to further reading and technical guidance, and a checklist for assessing built environment proposals. We have complemented the guides with stories from older people and a series of case studies from places around the UK that are putting these principles into practice.
The guides are aimed at built environment professionals, local government staff, and residents of all ages who want to advocate for change in their local area.
You can download the full set of guides – including an introduction and implementation guidance - here:
As societies become increasingly polarised, cultural institutions and faith spaces have a vital role to play in bringing people together, building understanding, and nurturing a shared sense of belonging. Over the past six years, Manchester Museum has developed its Manchester Museum Celebrates programme, grounded in collaboration and co-curation. The word celebrate derives from the Latin celebratus, meaning “to assemble to honour” - an idea that perfectly captures the spirit of these events. Created in partnership with faith leaders, charities, community organisers, researchers, and others, they have brought thousands of people from across the city together in moments of connection, friendship, and shared joy.
When: Thursday 23rd April 2026, 12:00 - 14:00 pm
Where:Manchester Museum Oxford Road Manchester, England, M13 9PL
Interested in Joining the Age Friendly Manchester Older People’s Assembly?
Here’s some reasons why!
The Age Friendly Manchester Older People’s Assembly meeting was held at the Friends Meeting House on Oct 1st 2025, the International Day of Older People (IDOP).
Here are some comments from members who came and why they are involved. The revised compilation video is now on YouTube at: https://youtube.com/shorts/nhtBy-FzOfg
The longer individual interviews are available on this channelas well. Thank you to AFM Board Member Bernard Leach for the great videos!
The contribution from Dorcas Adetula who passed away before Christmas is particularly poignant as it shows her bubbly personality and her commitment to helping others. You can see it at https://youtube.com/shorts/zzNALeK2qCE
If you are interested in joining the AFM Older People's Assembly contact jason.bergen@manchester.gov.uk or call: 07785207105
Intergenerational Climate Café
How do you feel about the climate crisis? Do you find it’s difficult to talk about it? Join the Cafe in a welcoming space for people of all ages to get together and talk about the climate crisis.
What is an Intergenerational Climate Cafe?
An Intergenerational Climate Cafe is a welcoming, action-free community space for people all ages to have open conversations about how climate change makes us feel. They particularly encourage the participation of students and people aged 50+. Over drinks and snacks they’ll have an informal and confidential conversation, supported by experienced facilitators. You can choose to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.
Participants will have the opportunity to encounter a curated selection of objects Manchester Museum cares for during the session.
Free drinks and snacks (including vegan and gluten free options) will be provided.
When: Tuesday 28 April, 13:00 - 14:30 pm
Where: Manchester Museum Oxford Road Manchester, England, M13 9PL
The Ladybarn Community Hub garden is ready for some TLC after a long, wet winter. Gardening groups are starting again twice weekly from this Tuesday 31st March 5.30pm – 7.30pm & Thursday 2nd April 10am – 12pm. The friendly group of volunteers are always looking for more to help with planting, weeding, and general garden maintenance.
If you fancy being part of a busy, vibrant community then please call into the Hub on Royle Street, Ladybarn, Manchester, M14 6RN, or
Loads to Do: Age Friendly Activities in Manchester
Taking part in culture is a great way to meet new people and improve health and wellbeing – so dip into some of these suggested activities and start exploring.
Manchester Libraries also host an age-friendly hour, where you’ll get a friendly welcome and priority support. You can find details of your local library.
Martin Harris Centre - Free Walter Carroll Lunchtime Concert Series
Thursday lunchtime Walter Carroll Lunchtime Concert Series, supported by the Ida Carroll Trust, provides a wide-ranging programme to suit all tastes and are an ideal opportunity to enjoy great music performed by outstanding musicians.
Date: Thursdays (full list of upcoming events below)
Time: 1.10-1.50pm
Venue: Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, Martin Harris Centre, University of Manchester
Tickets: Free – no booking required
Upcoming dates for your diary:
Divine Intimacies – Thursday 23 April
Inside Lud’s Church – Thursday 30 April
Quatuor Danel with Noémi Gyori (flute) – Thursday 7 May
Listen Up! Postgraduate Performance Showcase – Thursday 14 May
The concerts are free to attend and seats are unreserved – Just turn up on the day!
If you have any questions about the events season or access requirements, please do get in touch. Call 0161 2758951 or email boxoffice@manchester.ac.uk.
Enjoy the benefits of relaxed, free-flowing movement during our introductory tai chi qigong sessions aimed at people aged 50+.
As part of the Manchester Museum Age Friendly Programme, we have partnered with senior teacher Feixia Yu to host a series of introductory sessions in the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery.
Through these sessions, she will provide an opportunity for boosting your wellbeing and learning more about the amazing Chinese health enhancement tradition.
When: Wednesday 22/29 April, 5/13 May 12:00 - 12:50 pm
Where: Manchester Museum Oxford Road Manchester, England, M13 9PL
House of Books and Friends are excited to invite you to Beyond Words Book Club pop-up – an accessible book club session for adults with learning needs and disabilities and their carers.
Beyond Words Book Club is perfect for anyone who may prefer to read pictures than words. By creating a community of book lovers and storytellers, we hope to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness for participants and their carers. We want to create a space where people feel like they belong, share stories, and have fun!
Where: House of Books and Friends, 81 King St, Manchester M2 4AH
When: Thursday 23 April, 11:00 - 12:00
Coffee & Connections – Weekly Community Meet Up
11am – 12pm every Friday at House of Books and Friends
These relaxed sessions are all about bringing people together over a free hot drink and great conversation, creating space to build community, make new connections, and maybe even spark a friendship.
New computing and employability courses starting after Easter
Manchester Adult Education have a selection of courses starting in April and they’re a great way to improve your skills, meet new, like-minded people and build your confidence.
Courses on offer cater to all levels of ability and include digital skills for beginners, being cyber safe, Microsoft for work, volunteering, getting work ready, awareness of substance misuse and more.
Visit the Manchester Adult Education website at www.manadulted.ac.uk to see what’s on offer and apply or call their friendly business support team on 0161 219 6733 who will be happy to answer any questions that you have.
Mindfulness for menopause
Manchester Mind’s next Mindfulness and Relaxation for Menopause course. We aim to create a supportive and friendly environment and to teach mindfulness meditation and relaxation techniques to help you better cope with the stresses of daily life, and the menopause transition. “I've gained tools to manage my stress, anxiety and chronic pain. It's enhanced my well-being, bringing more clarity and peace into my life.”
Mindfulness can help lower stress, and increase our sense of wellbeing. Manchester Mind’s next 8 week Mindfulness course.
Course costs £12 per session.
For more information visit our website: www.manchestermind.org/events/mindfulness“I found the course extremely enlightening and loved taking control of my mind and it not taking control of me.”
When: Sessions will be held 3.30 – 5.30pm on Tuesday afternoons from Tuesday 5th May
Where: Victoria House in the city centre
Books To Go
The Books to Go home delivery service will deliver library items including books, Large print and books on CD direct to Manchester residents own homes.
To take advantage of this free home delivery service you can apply online or phone 0161 227 3800 and let us know why you would like us to visit. You can also request visits if you are a full time carer for both the person you care for and yourselves.
Independent Age Free Training: 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.
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
We'll be back with our next e-Bulletin in a month's time.
Please send us any news articles or event/regular group listing requests at least two weeks in advance.
