We’re pleased to present the four groups that have been shortlisted for our Growing Community award, to be announced at our Birthday Party on Friday 9th February 2018.

The Growing Community award is in recognition of a group of local people who have formed and developed a new project or group and had a meaningful impact, benefitting others in their neighbourhood. The Growing Community award at this year’s Birthday will be sponsored by Kellogg’s UK.

Kellogg’s established its first UK factory right here in Manchester in 1938. Since 2005, Forever Manchester has provided both strategic and administrative support to Kellogg’s charitable giving projects.

Kate Prince, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, said: “As a long term supporter of Forever Manchester, Kellogg’s is delighted to sponsor the Growing Community Award at the Forever Manchester Birthday Party. We recognise the benefit of local people coming together with great ideas to form a new group and make a difference in their own community and we’re looking forward to meeting the winner.”

 

The nominees are:

Xpress Urself

Based in Bolton, Xpress Urself give young people a voice by running a variety of free workshops for individuals who would like to explore areas in music production, film and photography, digital media, live performance, street dance and various other forms of creative arts. Their aims are to help young people grow by providing a platform where creative individuals can network with industry professionals and encourage members of the local community to adopt a healthy lifestyle by promoting positive outcomes and gaining essential skills. The group recently had funding from Forever Manchester  to train some of its older members so they can start to be teachers themselves.

We Matter

We Matter has been working locally in Longsight on a voluntary basis to deliver activities to improve the local environment. At a recent clean up event, the group found that those attending said it would be useful to carry on with such activities on a regular basis. Their aim in for the alleyways in their community to be safe, clean places where their children can play.

One Step Forward

One Step Forward are a newly formed line dancing group attended mainly by older women, and they are based in Harpurhey Community Church. In early 2016 Forever Manchester was introduced to a local bereavement group, open to anyone who had experienced a loss. The group was popular in bringing people together and getting them out of the house and meeting others who had been through a similar experience. Denise set One Step Forward up because she wanted to return to practicing line dancing (something she had loved to do ten years ago) but also because she appreciated the impact the bereavement group had had on her, finding new networks and friends after the death of her husband. Denise’s aim is to combat loneliness, raise self-esteem in participants and help long-term friendships to emerge, as well as creating a safer community, where people know each other.

Salford Death Café

Salford Death Café is for those who are facing a short life expectancy. The group was set up to help those who are coming to terms with death. They found that there are lots of support services for those who are diagnosed with a terminal condition and for those left behind, but that there wasn’t anywhere to go and chat in general without making others feel a little uncomfortable. This is how the café was brought about. Most attendees are themselves either facing end of life or their nearest and dearest are, and use the space to chat openly with other likeminded people without fear of upsetting someone. As far as the group knows, this is a first in the North West to be set up, and they would like to take the group on the road to help spread the word that there is help, advice and support out there.

 

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Our annual Birthday Party, kindly sponsored by Express Solicitors, will celebrate another great year of supporting community activity across Greater Manchester. The event brings together over 400 passionate and dedicated Forever Manchester supporters to celebrate another great year of helping local people do extraordinary things together.

Guests at the Forever Manchester Birthday Party will be treated to a welcome drink on arrival, three-course meal, entertainment from community groups Forever Manchester has funded, an awards ceremony and a special guest DJ.

Here’s some of the highlights from this year’s Birthday celebrations, filmed by Tunafish Media (our 2017 Video of the Night sponsors).

Tickets for the Birthday Party are priced at £85 per person or £850 for a table of 10.

If you are interested in buying tickets and/or booking a table please drop our Events Manager, Cheryl Hill, an email at: cheryl@forevermanchester.com.

Individual tickets can also be booked here on Eventbrite, or through the ticketing form below. All proceeds from ticket sales will be reinvested in communities across Greater Manchester.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsoring Forever Manchester’s Annual Birthday Party is a great way to support Forever Manchester, demonstrate your company’s philanthropic spirit and commitment to strengthening communities across while gaining fantastic brand awareness for your company.

If you are interested in finding out more about the various sponsorship opportunities available please view our sponsorship brochure or contact Jean Mills, Head of Business Development on 0161 214 0940 or at jean@forevermanchester.com.

View the Birthday Party sponsorship brochure here