Miles Platting

spotlightAutumn 2020 Issue 52

The Mustard Tree Charity – find out more on page 4

Do you need

Do you need… help due to the impact of

Company. Medicines. Food. COVID-19? or help with… – find out more on page 8 What’s

Online services. inside? Fuel bills. Welcome

Contact City Council Local News 0 234 6123 What’s on? 080 .gov.uk Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 2pm COVIDSupport@manchester Health & Wellbeing Text 078600 22876 (response by next working day). Money Matters Jobs & Skills Pat’s Gardening Corner

Adactus Miles Platting gets connected facebook: Adactus Miles Platting twitter: AdactusMP

This document is available in other languages, larger text, braille and on audio cd miles platting spotlight | 1 Welcome If you are new to the area – welcome! This is your quarterly autumn newsletter. I’m your Neighbourhood Engagement Officer, Gemma. I’m working with residents on local projects & events. If you have any questions or ideas for a project – I would be happy to hear from you. LETS GET SOCIAL Contact us.. Why not follow the Miles Platting Twitter and like the Facebook pages for regular If you’d like to get in touch about anything related updates of community news. to Spotlight contact: Gemma Bennett on 07793 186763 or by email at facebook: AdactusMilesPlatting [email protected] twitter: AdactusMP

The Jigsaw Foundation funds projects run by resident and community groups, charities, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and partner agencies. To find out more about what the Jigsaw Foundation does, please see www.foundation.jigsawhomes.org.uk or call 0300 111 1122.

In the past 12 months the Jigsaw Foundation has supported seven community projects in the Miles Platting area:

• Mr Shapeshifter primary school theatre project – age appropriate performances to take place at three local schools to teach children aged 9+ how to spot and report adults who shouldn’t be trusted. • Doulas pregnancy support – professional one to one practical support and emotional guidance for expectant mothers. • Church of the Apostles Community Kitchen – cookery sessions, and support for people struggling with the costs of food. • YPAC Youth Club – weekly activities for primary school aged children ran from St. George’s Community Centre. • Manchester Cares older people’s activities – bring older and younger people together to create new friendships and tackle social isolation. • Mustard Tree employability and support – Help with low cost food, homelessness issues, wellbeing activities and employment skills. • Walking with the Wounded veterans and community project –bringing veterans and the wider local community together to improve local outdoor spaces.

Please note some projects may have been temporarily paused due to Covid-19, but these will hopefully be able to resume later this year. If you would more information about any of these projects or to get involved please email [email protected] As a resident you can help us decide which projects should receive funding, to take part you need to be a member of Jigsaw Rewards, find out more at www.rewards. jigsawhomes.org.uk

2 | miles platting spotlight Jigsaw Rewards Join Jigsaw Rewards Today Jigsaw Rewards is our innovative online tenant engagement programme that encourages our tenants to provide regular feedback on services and plans for the future. Tenants from across the Jigsaw Homes Group, which includes Adactus Housing Association can register for Jigsaw Rewards. Signing up couldn’t be easier! Visit rewards.jigsawhomes.org.uk and enter your surname and tenancy number. Take part in as many or as few activities as you like at a time that is convenient to you. Complete surveys, send us themed photos, mystery shop or scrutinise our services. In return, you’ll receive points which can be exchanged for high-street gift vouchers like Amazon, Vue Cinemas, Tesco or Love2Shop. Alternatively you can get credits towards your rent account – you could receive over £100 in vouchers or rent credits each year! With Jigsaw Rewards, you’re in control and you can do as much or as little as you like. Take part. Collect points. Be rewarded! Don’t miss out - join today at rewards.jigsawhomes.org.uk

miles platting spotlight | 3 Local News

Children’s Centres Did you know that your local children’s centre is active on socials? Visit the Facebook pages for and Miles Platting and children’s centres for lots of helpful tips and fun activities! www.facebook.com/NewtonHeathChildrensCentre/ www.facebook.com/MilesPlattingandAncoatsChildrensCentre/

Mustard Tree What did Mustard Tree do before Covid-19?

For over 25 years, the Mustard Tree charity has been supporting and creating opportunities for people and communities in Manchester and Salford. We tackle both the causes and toiletries, clothes to over consequences of poverty and aim to prevent 1000 people living in homelessness across the region. Working extreme poverty. with over 6000 people a year, Mustard Tree: This includes 360 people • Helps people learn new skills, find work who shared that they and secure accommodation were homeless with • Provides furniture, clothing and items no fixed abode. We will needed to create a home through our continue to provide three community shops and drivers who sleeping bags, rucksacks, pick up donations and deliver to our and emergency items clients for those sleeping on the • Offers training, work placements, job streets as long as the numbers are increasing. clubs and we welcome people into our warm, safe, aspirational spaces for arts, We are currently supporting over 1000 people creative and vocational activities a week through our Food Clubs, emergency packages and food deliveries across Greater Response during Covid-19 Crisis (March 23rd Manchester. Before Covid-19, we were to June 30th 2020) supporting 500 people a month with food.

Mustard Tree supports people who may be During this time, there have been countless isolated and in need of financial support personal stories that have touched us all including pensioners, local residents as well including finding older people with no as people who are living in hostels and on the cooking facilities, family of four living in one streets. Since the Covid-19 outbreak in March room, father and son living on the streets. 2020, our priority has been to safely remain open to support our people, particularly to The feedback we have had has been access food, within public health guidelines. overwhelming and has reinforced the mission of Mustard Tree to combat poverty During the first three months of lockdown, we and prevent homelessness. supported 4,648 families. People have visited us for food or had food deliveries over 14,500 times in three months. We have given food,

4 | miles platting spotlight Local News Thank you...

This was only possible with the support from special donors, trusts, our corporate partners, local churches, community groups, , Salford CVS, Northwards Housing, Manchester United Foundation, our Trustees, 43 dynamic individuals who volunteered every day as well as an amazing staff team whose bravery and commitment has been awe-inspiring.

The support and kindness of local Greater Manchester residents who have donated everything from tins to trainers (as well as cash) has kept us all going – THANK YOU.

WHAT NEXT?

Covid-19 is a greater health risk for people on Furniture low incomes (Joseph Rowntree Foundation) • New online booking system making it Covid-19 is hitting the poorest hardest (The easier for people to donate furniture to be Kings Fund – Office of National Statistics data) sold in the shops or gifted to people who Non-payment of household bills increased need it sharply after lockdown and is increasing • Covid-Secure community shops providing further (Institute for Fiscal Studies) everything pre-loved from beds to books, wardrobes to washing machines, pans to Although the health crisis may now be picture frames stabilising, the economic impact is likely to be • Gifting furniture to help people set up felt long after the lockdown due to increasing homes after homelessness through unemployment, debt, and evictions. Evidence vouchers for those with new tenancies, as outlined above shows that the impact is offering comfort and security after crisis felt the most by those who have the least. Our focus will continue to be on providing Freedom food, cost effective furniture and essential • Developing skills and personal expression items to those in need and we will also try to through arts, music, and online creative help people find ways out of crisis and into courses – building a wealth of experiences opportunities to improve wellbeing. • Creating confidence in communication through English language courses so OUR APPROACH WILL BE FOOD, FURNITURE people can seize job opportunities and AND FREEDOM improve financial wellbeing Food • Job clubs and small number of vocational • Specialist Delivery Offer– deliver to those trainees on work placements with who have to shield for health reasons or Mustard Tree, building experience and have other urgent care needs – providing skills around employability direct access and addressing food poverty • Advocacy, action and 121 drop-in support • Food clubs – enabling people to shop for for those facing financial hardship and so food items worth £10 for £2.50. Providing directly helping those facing eviction and choice and dignity and alleviating the sanctions – preventing homelessness financial pressure of the weekly shop • Emergency support – food and essential For any queries about Mustard Tree’s Future supplies for those people sleeping on the Focus, please email streets and families in temporary B&B’s. [email protected] or call 0161 Offering empathy for those most in need. 228 7331.

miles platting spotlight | 5 Local News Food support for residents Holiday fun and food The Church of the Apostles, along with volunteers, Adactus Housing, Church have continued to deliver food parcels to local of the Apostles and 4CT people in, and surrounding, Miles Platting. worked together to provide breakfast and The support Ellie has offered to residents in Miles lunch food items as well Platting has been vital during this difficult time. Ellie as fun activities including continues to support Manchester City Council’s food crafts, board games and provision as well as direct referrals to herself. toys to families in Miles If you, or someone you know, needs an emergency Platting for the summer food parcel, please contact Ellie on 07887601451. term holiday fun and food. Please note that this provision is for emergency Usually, sessions are held at the church in food parcels, for on-going support you can contact the school holidays but due to Covid-19 we Manchester City Council on 0800 234 6123 had to adapt the sessions so we operated (see more information on page 8.) a collection/delivery service. We hope sessions will return to normal in the coming months. Manchester Kindness Stories

As part of its work on responding to the COVID-19 crisis, Manchester Community Central has been gathering and sharing stories about all the amazing and positive things that are happening in Manchester’s communities during this time. One example includes that of a GP lecturer from the University of Manchester who has led a one- man care package service for frontline staff during the COVID-19 crisis.

We heard a story from The University of Manchester of one of their part time tutors, Dr Ali Haider, who is a GP in . Dr Haider has delivered over 450 care packages to staff working in the public #Manchesterkind services who have been living in hotels during the COVID-19 lockdown. He has visited police officers, firefighters, nursing homes, pharmacies and NHS staff to deliver food, toiletries and treats. Dr Haider started by using his own money but as demand grew Tesco, Asda, Marks and Spencer and Costco all partcipated donating toiletries, food and clothing. In each package he attaches a note saying thank you, and giving his phone number so the staff can text or call if they someone to chat to. ‘It’s all about sending some love to people who are working against the odds... It’s been hard work, but there are people who are working a lot harder than me. At least I can go home to my family each night.’ To help Dr Haider, email [email protected] Read the full story at https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/gp-lecturer-is-one-man-care- package-service-for-frontline-staff/

You can see more stories and view collections of them at our dedicated website: https://www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/coronavirus-advice-and-resources/manchester- kindness-stories or take a look on social media with #Manchesterkind

If you have a Manchester Kindness story that you’d like to share or make us aware of, please email: [email protected] or Telephone: 0161 834 9823 - we’d love to hear it!

6 | miles platting spotlight What’s ON? St George’s Youth and Community Centre DANCING YOGA SINGING MEMORIES GENTLE EXERCISE St Georges is gradually re opening after months DESERT ISLAND DISCS QUIZZES of lockdown. We have updated the centres Risk MAGIC CHOIRS DISCOS Assessments to include the new Government guidance on Corona virus. All groups using the ……..some of the things we have all been centre will receive a copy of the risk assessment enjoying during lockdown……. so that they can use the centre safely. NO?? Well, if not, then you have been missing out YPAC had a small summer play scheme on fun times with our “extended family” supporting local children through this difficult Manchester Cares, who, through these time. St Georges contributed to the play scheme extraordinary times, have been keeping spirits by providing the centre free of charge and up by offering the above activities (and much providing daily cleaning. more). Avoiding isolation and keeping mental We are looking forward to seeing more of the and physical wellbeing in check is important, groups coming back to the centre in September. especially at this time. Including… • Insight writing group Manchester Cares is a thriving organization, • Monday Movers over 55’s group increasing in popularity, and has been offering a • YPAC children and youth clubs much needed and welcome benefit to the over • Mexican Cultural Group 65s in the Manchester area for over two and a half • Eritrean Cultural Group years. • Play reading group • Band on the Wall - Children’s Music Group Younger professional volunteers are integrated • Beautiful Heritage group for children with with those “young at heart” to join in fun activities, disabilities chat and learn from each other. It is amazing • And a new early years group how younger you feel, and the volunteers gain knowledge of past times which can be quite an We have been busy throughout the lockdown, eye-opener! keeping the centre running but sadly have had 4 break ins over the year costing thousands of Recently, Manchester pounds and delaying our progress in supporting Cares have set up the communities of Miles Platting, Ancoats, “Zoom” sessions on , Newton Heath and the City Centre. computer, laptop, So if you see any suspicious activity at the tablet or phone where centre, please let us know or contact the Police members can see and immediately. communicate with others on-screen, whilst not being able to physically meet up at the moment. Our management committee members and two Many activities and chats have been successful part time staff have been busy during lockdown this way (see heading above!), also by “phone-in” keeping the centre running, even though some specials for those not having Zoom capabilities. have their own health risk. We would like to thank our funders for their Now here’s a word you’ll enjoy, it’s all FREE continued support. Manchester City Council, Other services are offered by Manchester Cares, so Collyhurst Big Local, Manchester Health and have a good chat with the friendly staff…they are Well Being Fund, Lord Mayors Fund and Jigsaw/ there to help…and they will! Adactus Housing. If you are over 65 and would like to join in, have If you would like to know more about St fun and chat to other people, then get in touch Georges, would be interested in volunteering with Manchester Cares on 0161 207 0800 and or being on our management committee, speak to AMY about how to get started…you visit our website or contact me by email on won’t regret it. [email protected] Tel 0161 834 9368 Ged Reek (Friend of Manchester Cares) Sue Bowen - Centre Manager

miles platting spotlight | 7 Health & Wellbeing

Manchester Community Response Do you need…

If you need help you can get it now by calling 0800 234 6123 Food. Medicines. Company.

We have set up a hub to support Manchester’s most vulnerable people, and or help with… help them cope with the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

We want to help you if you are: over the age of 70, are self isolating and • Fuel bills. Online services. have no support network, • if you have received a letter from the NHS advising you are high risk, or Contact Manchester City Council • you are medically vulnerable according 0800 234 6123 to the government criteria. Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 2pm [email protected] Text 078600 22876 (response by next working day). We can help with things like: • Delivery of food • Delivery of medication • Combating loneliness • Managing fuel top-up payments

Help is also available for other reasons, for example if you are a carer, care leaver or young carer.

Across the City a community of charities, businesses, community groups and the Council have all come together to make sure you have the support you need during this challenging time.

Get help - 0800 234 6123

If you live alone, are struggling to make ends meet, are self-isolating or generally in need of advice or support please contact us between 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday. CALL OUR HELPLINE TO ACCESS THE SUPPORT YOU NEED.

8 | miles platting spotlight Money Matters MONEY ADVICE Since the coronavirus lockdown, a lot of people have seen their circumstances change, especially seeing a change in income. Tina Chadwick is here to help you deal with all your benefit problems, debt problems and provide advice on other matters concerning finances.

What sort of help is provided? • To find out what benefits you are entitled to claim. • To advise and assist with claiming state benefits, including help completing forms and online applications, if required. • To write letters seeking review and appeal. • To give budgeting and money advice, including finding the best deal on your fuel supplies and utilities. • Debt advice including negotiating repayments with creditors on your behalf. • Advice on the availability of suitable financial services. To arrange an appointment, or for further information about the service, you can contact Tina in a number of ways: • Through a referral from your Housing Officer. • Call Tina directly on 0161 203 2917 or email [email protected]. uk. • Email [email protected] Please note that Tina’s working hours are currently 9.30am – 12.30pm Monday - Friday £Jobs & Skills

miles platting spotlight | 9 Pat’s Gardening Corner

What a strange year it’s been, not only with Covid-19 but also our weather; a brilliant sunny spring led into an early summer drought.

Luckily the drought hasn’t lasted too long and we got that much needed rainfall. My garden has definitely been my escape room this year and if you are lucky enough to have a garden I guess you have been spending more time than usual in it.

Keeping busy outdoors is excellent for the the garden. You can keep your blooms going mind and body and in turbulent times, the for as long as possible by continuing with thing to cling on to is nature and gardening weekly feeds and dead heading. which are always there and dependable. As Summer melts into Autumn try some late summer planting of herbaceous perennials With all the beautiful summer bedding to cheer up dwindling hours of daylight – try plants that were available this summer it Echinacea - Purpurea, Coreopsis, Astrantia, was easy to spend hours just potting up and Heuchera - ‘palace purple’ and Asters. creating cheerful pops of colour all around

*Autumn garden giveaways – you’ll need to be quick!

• Grown your own - kitchen herb kit – attractive pots with herbs supplied • Easy to grow - Pollinator Garden, just scatter and grow • Easy to grow – Meadow Garden, just scatter and grow • Great selection of seeds • Hanging Bird feeders with seed • Kneeling pad • Garden hose sprinkler attachment • Water globes (keep plants watered whilst you are away) • Garden gloves • Pull down hanger for hanging basket • Rolls of garden twine (great for securing your plants and climbers) • Handy canvas garden bags • Bulb baskets for ground planting

All you need to do to get your pick of our fantastic Autumn giveaways is to contact Pat at Baker House as soon as possible. Stocks are limited so you need to be quick. Either email [email protected] or call 0800 234 6826 option 2. *open to Adactus residents only/stocks are limited

10 | miles platting spotlight Winners... It was great to see some of our younger gardeners hot off the mark in bagging some of our Summer Garden Giveways, in particular, Christopher pictured, from Eastleigh Drive. Christopher already had a bumper crop of potatoes on the go and won some vegetable starter kits – happy planting!

We also had Julie from Anscombe Close who won a box of meadow scatter and grow seeds and some handy garden gloves – well done Julie!

….and the winner of our photo competition was Mr DON’T FORGET! M Nash from Naylor Over the winter months, bird feeders Court for his comical not only help keep our little friends squirrel photo happy when there is little else about, below – £20 but if you keep it up over the year, of high street they can be great little gardeners vouchers are too, eating the bugs and keeping the on the way. infestations at bay! (Check out our free bird feeders in my Autumn garden Well done! giveaways)

…..PAUSE FOR THOUGHT Consider your garden as ‘AN EXTRA ROOM’ - it deserves as much consideration as the inside of your house. Please care for your garden and keep it tidy - IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! milesmiles plattingplatting spotlight | 11 Baker House Office T 0800 234 6826 Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (6pm on Wednesday)

Emergency Repairs T 0800 234 6826

Allpay T 0800 234 6826 For direct debit, debit/credit card payments & ordering new rent cards

Housing Benefit queries: T 0161 234 5003 e: [email protected]

Council Tax queries: T 0161 234 5002 e: [email protected]

Miles Platting Outreach Saturday 10am - 1pm T 0161 227 3787 Library Open: Tuesday 2pm - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 1pm Thursday 1pm - 7pm

Environment on call: T 0161 234 5004 e: [email protected]

Find out your utility supplier: Gas: T 0870 608 1524 Electric: T 0870 751 0093

12 | miles platting spotlight