The Forever Manchester Podcast

Episode 018 - Olga Gerke & Jennie Trueman

“I feel comfortable when I’m combining a touch of class with a touch of craziness, you should try wearing chicken slippers”

The Forever Mancunians podcast series aims to share the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment, and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others within our local communities is often interesting and inspiring. In this episode (018) we meet Olga Gerke and Jennie Trueman from a group who refer to themselves as The Soire’. Olga is the founder of this multi creative community art group for people to share their creative interests, passions and ideas.

Utilising a dedicated community space on Deansgate Mews at the Great Northern in Manchester City Centre, the Soire’ provides a point of connection for city based folk, both novices and professionals, who dont ordinarily have easy access to local groups catering for their respective interests.
 
The Soire’ therefore provides a point of connection that serves to bring many passions together to generate a melting pot of creativity. It has attracted Architect’s with a love of art and sketching, Dentist’s with a passion for poetry, musicians, script writers, illustrator’s and artists of all ages, all sharing their own interests while acknowledging and appreciating the passions and interests of others. 

Episode 017 - Stephen Pilling and Ginny Allende - Headspace Bolton

“When life is tough, and you don’t want to get out of bed”

The Forever Mancunians podcast series aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment, and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring.

In this episode, we meet the founders of Headspace Bolton, Stehpen Pilling and Ginny Allende.
Upon recognising shared frustrations with both type, and levels of support available, they teamed up to explore opportunities that serve to generate better results for all concerned.
    
Stephen and Ginny are a living example of what can be achieved when a Mental Health service user teams up with a member of his support team to try alternative approaches by working together, learning from each other and developing each other. They elude to ‘one size not fitting all’ and how generic services s and structures can dampen the passions and interests that are important drivers in all our lives.

Ginny explains ““When life is tough and you don’t want to get out of bed, it’s those passions that drive us forward, that make us tick, and make us smile”

Headspace Bolton run high quality creative workshops that look towards breaking the stigma of mental health and what is portrayed and perceived via the creation of performances, competitions, productions and exhibitions." Activities extend to improvised and stand-up comedy, creative music sessions, film-making, animation and script writing activities that reflect the interests and passions for those wishing to explore creative options while generating an exciting forum for people with Mental Health issues.

Episode 016 - PART TWO - Lesley Fisher - Dancing with Dementia

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment, and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring.

In Part 2 of this two part (Episode 016), we meet Lesley fisher, the founder of Dancing with Dementia, who says being a hairdresser helped her acquire some of the patience and understanding assets needed to deal with dementia.
Not being one to stay at home, always organising her family and being involved and helping in the organisation or various events and activities throughout her life have all proved to be useful assets in recent years.

Lesley is well aware of the tremendous impact dementia can have on sufferers, their families, friends and loved ones and wanted to do something to help. After exploring opportunities and researching various options it became clear that singing, dancing and music stood out as helpful therapies and set about surrounding herself with like-minded support to develop the amazing Dancing with Dementia.

Episode 016 - PART ONE - Lesley Fisher - Dancing with Dementia

“Dementia comes in many forms, no dementia journey is the same”

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment, and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring.

In Part 1 of this two part episode, we meet Lesley fisher, the founder of Dancing with Dementia, who says being a hairdresser helped her acquire some of the patience and understanding assets needed to deal with dementia.
Not being one to stay at home, always organising her family and being involved and helping in the organisation or various events and activities throughout her life have all proved to be useful assets in recent years.

Lesley is well aware of the tremendous impact dementia can have on sufferers, their families, friends and loved ones and wanted to do something to help. After exploring opportunities and researching various options it became clear that singing, dancing and music stood out as helpful therapies and set about surrounding herself with like-minded support to develop the amazing Dancing with Dementia.

Episode 015 - Shaun O'Brien - Theatre of the Senses

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment, and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring.

In this episode we meet Shaun O'Brien from Trafford based sensory theatre company, 'Theatre of the Senses' (ToTs). Our chat sheds light on both the inspiring work ToTs does and equally serves to highlight some of the struggles and challenges local groups and smaller community orgs are increasingly facing.

ToTs aim is to create sensory theatre productions that engage sight, smell, hearing, and even taste while providing a platform for people of all abilities to access and experience theatre in inclusive ways and believe that "the smallest development opportunities can have a significant and positive impact".

Shaun shares concern with funding difficulties and the fairness of the funding process in an increasingly competitive climate, with more demand for available funds, tightened criteria, and the impact this can have on those with limited resources.

Despite current challenges and frustrations, ToTs remains committed to its mission of inclusivity and development. The belief is that "the smallest development opportunities can have a significant and positive impact on individuals"

Episode 014 - PART TWO - Jamie Dennis - Mandem Meetup

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment, and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring.

In this episode we meet Jamie Dennis, founder of Mandem Meetup for a candid chat about Men's Mental Health.
After a difficult upbringing left Jamie "a bit rough around the edges", on the wrong side of the law and experiencing dark times. 

Self realisation of depression led to a positive lifestyle change and recognising the importance of positive mental wellbeing and healthy living. A lack of available local support groups led to the establishment of Mandem Meetup, providing a non judgmental, safe-space for men to meet without fear, obligation or expectation!    

Encouraging men to engage in activities and chat about life, and other things! 

Episode 014 - PART ONE - Jamie Dennis - Mandem Meetup

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment, and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring.

In this episode we meet Jamie Dennis, founder of Mandem Meetup for a candid chat about Men's Mental Health.
After a difficult upbringing left Jamie "a bit rough around the edges", on the wrong side of the law and experiencing dark times. 

Self realisation of depression led to a positive lifestyle change and recognising the importance of positive mental wellbeing and healthy living. A lack of available local support groups led to the establishment of Mandem Meetup, providing a non judgmental, safe-space for men to meet without fear, obligation or expectation!    

Episode 013 - Katarzyna Pryzbylska - The Together Family Centre - Irlam

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment, and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring.

In this episode we meet Katarzyna Pryzbylska, one of the directors at The Together Family Centre in Irlam which initially started out as a Junior Football Club before further developing when the need for language development, speech therapy and phycology support was identified. Especially for members of the Polish community in order to address both cultural development and communication issues, various disorders and worries.

The Centre provides help, support and a range of therapies alongside a host of activities, events and opportunities aimed at connecting the community while maintaining cultural traditions and important sense of identity.  

Episode 012 - Sharon Davis - Mum's Mart Wythenshawe

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment, and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring.

In this episode we meet Sharon Davis, founder of Mums Mart Wythenshawe, a women’s group that came together after a local mum broke down in the school playground. Exhausted from the stress of living on a low income as a single parent and with no adult conversation for weeks at a time.

Another parent took her for a brew and a chat and ideas began to flow that resulted in local families coming together for evening meals in the local church hall, organiing table top sales to raise funds for day trips and establishing a community savers network.

“Some of the kids had never seen the sea” said Sharon

Episode 011 - PART TWO - Rod Maxwell - Radio Alty

Forever Mancunians aims to introduce and tell the stories of featured guests whose vision, commitment, and dedication in making a difference to the lives of others in our local communities is both interesting and inspiring.

In this episode (Part 02), Rod Maxwell, co-founder of community radio station Radio Alty shares the story of overcoming a brain hemorrhage, community radio involvement and what it means to him, alongside eluding to a chance meeting with Neil Armstrong!