On Friday 10th February at our annual Birthday Party we were pleased to announce the winner of the ‘This Is the Place’ award, sponsored by Kellogg’s UK & IRE: The Holiday Club!

 

 

The award was in recognition of a group of residents who have formed and developed a new community project to benefit others in their local neighbourhood. The award was presented by Kate Prince of Kellogg’s UK & IRE (pictured, right).

Forever Manchester Birthday, The Principal Hotel

Up on stage to collect the award was Netty Jones who helped form The Holiday Club in 2016. Led by the community for the community, the club run a number of craft and play sessions and days out during school holidays for over 40 families on Barker Street in Oldham. Inspired to do as much as they could, a number of the group have enrolled on local college courses to learn more about running play sessions, health and safety, and all of the other things they need to take the club to the next level.

Netty was inspired to form The Holiday Club while attending a Halloween Party in her local community which was funded by Forever Manchester. Following further conversations with Forever Manchester’s Community Builder Lisa Brown, Netty was keen to set up a holiday club following her concerns that although there were a couple of holiday clubs in the area, they were either too expensive or not suited to the needs of her and her friends’ children.

After attending a community workshop, Netty, with the support of her friends and members of the local community, gained the confidence and encouragement to set up the group. With funding via Forever Manchester, The Holiday Club began last summer and continues to be one of the best attended in the area.

Nick Massey, CEO at Forever Manchester, added: “When people care enough to act, amazing things can happen. Netty has used her talents and enthusiasm to create a fantastic, vibrant and successful Holiday Club, we’re really chuffed that we were able to help her.

Congratulations Netty and all at The Holiday Club from everyone here at Forever Manchester!

Check out the highlights from the Birthday Party here.