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

The Inspirational Community Group award is in recognition of an established community group or project that has made a meaningful and significant impact and has continued to inspire, strengthen and connect local people to make a difference.

Stockport-based IT firm, CDL, is one of the UK’s largest insurance software houses. CDL provides trendsetting solutions to drive success and growth for the UK’s biggest insurance retailers – from price comparison sites to online self-service and telematics-based insurance products to the connected home.

Tom Hogg, Chairman, said: “CDL is delighted to sponsor the Inspirational Community Group award at this year’s annual Birthday Party. We appreciate and value the importance of grassroots community activity in our neighbourhoods and this is a great way of recognising a particular group or project that has made a real difference and connected people to make their community a better place.”

 

The nominees are:

Proud 2 B Parents

Proud 2 B Parents help support lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender parents across the Greater Manchester area, with a particular focus on reducing isolation of both parents and their children. This has been done through the development of a LGBT parent organisation and resources, and the group also hold regular activity days, conferences and workshops. The organisation are developing a youth zone space, offering a place for older children to mentor younger children and enabling them to share their experiences of having LGBT parents. The ability for these families and young people to meet up regularly in an environment where they feel the same, supported and comfortable is what keeps the need for the service vital. Many of the young people who have attended say: ”It is a place where I feel completely accepted and do not have to defend or explain my family.”

Odd Arts

Odd Arts works across Greater Manchester using specialist creative approaches to inspire and transform the lives of vulnerable young people. The organisation use high quality arts to challenge hard-to-reach young people, working in criminal justice, community and education settings. The current Young Offenders Project works with young offenders at Barton Moss Secure Unit, Salford. The project engages with five young people each week, working towards them gaining an Arts Award (Level 2). It offers them a unique chance to take part in creative projects that will develop their creativity, leadership and social skills, teamwork, problem solving and communication skills. One attendee spoke of the benefits of the project: “It’s boosted our confidence. Because we’ve done these sessions it’s given us the confidence to speak up and talk to someone if we needed to rather than just let it build up inside.”

Europia

Based in Manchester, Europia work to support, educate, empower and represent East and Central Europeans across Greater Manchester to prosper in their communities. A range of opportunities are offered, from help with learning English to permanent residency advice, and they even put on a spectacular show at the 2017 Manchester Day Parade. Europia really try to engage with a wide range of people, and can offer support in 13 different European languages! One community member told us the difference Europia makes to her life: “We work, start families, buy houses… But we all need some help with our daily challenges – lack of language, lack of knowledge of British law, hate crime incidents, health issues and general wellbeing as well as simply being homesick and lonely. Europia fills that gaps for many people and I am very grateful for it!”

Manchester Space Programme

Manchester Space Programme was launched in 2013 with the aim of getting the community to develop the facilities and knowhow to explore space. Put simply, they thought ‘lets get something into space’. The idea is that space exploration can be for everyone – not just the scientists! The group meet each week to discuss space and space exploration, and occasionally hold launch events where they launch a high altitude balloon – usually from Macclesfield. The group really try and involved everyone in the community, working with local schools and community groups. They want people to see that there are hobbies that aren’t sport or physically based, and that space exploration isn’t just for the science industry. The long term goal is to get something into space – to build Manchester’s first cube satellite and put it into orbit.

 

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 with tables of 10 being £800 if booked before 1st November 2017 (£850 per table thereafter).

If you are interested in buying tickets and/or booking a table please drop our Events Officer, 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