The Forever Manchester Podcast

Episode 09 - PART TWO - Elliot Sparks - Pennine Mencap

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), Elliot Sparks, founder and CEO of Pennine Mencap introduces The Rhodes Bank Inclusive Choir, shares his views on Public Perceptions and Attitudes and the need to learn and adapt as you go along!

Established in 2012, Pennine Mencap provides opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs across Oldham, Tameside and throughout Greater Manchester to create, achieve and express themselves through a variety of activities to engage and develop learning disabled adults and those with complex needs.

Pennine has come a long way from its humble beginnings in a small, windowless storage room and through listening to feedback from service users it has developed the facilities and popular opportunities it now provides.

Episode 09 - PART ONE - Elliot Sparks - Pennine Mencap

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 01), founder and CEO Elliot Sparks of Pennine Mencap shares his story of volunteering, overcoming ill health and settling in Oldham alongside sharing some of the many stories, up-sides and challenges, of supporting vulnerable adults.

Established in 2012, Pennine Mencap provides opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs across Oldham, Tameside and throughout Greater Manchester to create, achieve and express themselves through a variety of activities to engage and develop learning disabled adults and those with complex needs. Pennine has come a long way from its humble beginnings in a small, windowless storage room and through listening to feedback from service users it has developed the facilities and popular opportunities it now provides.

Episode 08 - Claire Squires - Trafford Veterans Hub

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.

Trafford Veterans is a group of armed forces veterans, emergency service personnel and local volunteers. The group was formed in 2015 after the two founding members, Royal Navy Veteran Claire Wright and British Army Veteran Chris Squires left the armed forces and faced a struggle with physical and mental injuries alongside their transition from military service back into civillian life. Their experiences prompted them to provide peer support to other veterans and members of the community, so people would not feel alone.

In this episode, Claire Squires (nee Wright) shares the story of setting up the group to provide engagement opportunities and peer support to other veterans in local communities across Trafford, Greater Manchester. 

Episode 07 - Karen McLoughlin & Rachel Massey - Denton West End Community Library

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 2012, a group of residents came together and formed a group to save Denton West End Community Library from closure with the full backing of a rather unhappy local community.

In this episode Library co-chairs, Karen McLauchlan and Rachel Massey share the story of saving a valued local service and development of the library into what is now a well organised, well supported community hub that continues to be successfully managed and delivered by a team of passionate and dedicated volunteers.      

Episode 06 - Forever Manchester’s Community Builders

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 have a candid chat with Forever Manchester's Helen, Lisa & Vikki, the UK's first real life Community Builders. They talk about their Asset Based approach and lived experiences of influencing and encouraging local people to recognise their own talent's, skill's and strengths, and inspiring local people to both believe and contribute to the potential of the local communities in which they live.

The Community Builders live it, breath it and just love generating happiness through community match making approaches that have a real impact and make a big local difference.    

Check out and enjoy the ABCD Approach to Community Building with Helen, Lisa & Vikki here..  

Episode 05 - Claire Courtney - Heart and Parcel

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 have a candid chat with Claire Courtney, Managing Director and Co-founder of Manchester based Heart and Parcel. Alongside providing English language development and learning support, Claire shares her passion and love of food to generate a shared and unique learning process to better engage English Learners.  

Claire's stories include embracing many cultures through food related activities, fostering social networks, generating friendships, active learning, developing by doing, and Dumplings! 

Episode 04 - Jenni Smith - Buile Hill Mansion Association

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 have a candid chat with Jenni Smith, CEO of Salford Loaves & Fishes and Chair of Buile Hill Mansion Association. Alongside providing support for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness, Jenni shares her passion for heritage and the repurposing and redevelopment of buildings through restoration projects that bring benefits to local communities.

Jenni's stories include Buile Hill Mansion Association, Withington Baths, All Souls Church Bolton, the Salford Mutual Aid Coalition and her association with a number of local charities and community groups, along with discussing comparisons to Jenni's previous management experience in the hotel industry.  

Episode 03 - Greg Davis - United Estates of 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 have a candid chat with Greg Davis, maverick founder of the United Estates of Wythenshawe.

Greg shares his story of taking over a vandalised local church and positively engaging troublesome young people, through to establishing an inner city culture centre, organising a national conference of street leaders and encouraging the development of a number of social enterprises.

Listen to Greg questioning labels, challenging perceptions and asking “If kids are joining street gangs purely to feel safe, then where do we go?” 

Episode 02 - June Kelly - Abraham Moss Warriors

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 exemplary and inspiring. In this episode, we have a candid chat with June Kelly MBE, founder of the multi-award winning Abraham Moss Warriors.

Pride of Britain award winner June shares the story of engaging young people in grass root sports through to actively engaging and benefitting the local community including the transformation of a local park, engaging with #NASA and successfully challenging the Football Association #FA. Listen to June chat about “how the power of sport can bring out the best in people”     

Frank Sidebottom

This interview was conducted on 27th May 2009 as part of the Forever Manchester Radio Show which was broadcast on Manchester Radio Online at the time. Although Frank Sidebottom didn't undertake actual interviws as such, he was more than happy to chat about his mad creative world, tell us a few home truths about 'Bobbins' & 'Plagarism' and share some of his many experiences including having a sleepover with The Smiths, being the cause of the rift in Oasis between Noel & Liam Gallagher and buying cheap cassettes from lesser artists and wiping them clean!