The Miles Platting Community and Age-Friendly Network have been busy!
In July we had an Annual General Meeting which saw the presentation of our 2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts and the election of a new committee to take us forward through to 2026. All existing committee members were re-nominated, with the addition of Julie Skeritt who was voted on as an ordinary committee member.
We heard updates from across all the age-friendly and action groups involved in the network and shared useful information about what members have been up, including our recent successes and challenges.
The member groups involved in the network include:
- Monday Movers & Tuesday Walkers
- Holland Street & Ridgway Street Community Gardens
- Theatre Trippers
- Play Readers
- Social Super Market
- Many Hands Craft Collective
- Ged’s Disco
- Miles Platting Savers
The groups hold regular meet-ups and continue to organise activities which help to reduce social isolation and improve the physical and mental wellbeing of their growing membership. To find out more information about any of the groups or to get involved, visit www.mpcan.org.uk/about-mpcan/ or email [email protected].
Our action groups have also been busy…
In partnership with the Parochial Church Council, the St Cuthbert’s Action Group successfully set up a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation called St Cuthbert’s Communities Together, which is taking forward the community-led redevelopment of the St Cuthbert’s church. The Board of Trustees are working with architects and applying for further funding to begin working on feasibility studies to take the project forward. Members are hoping that this will provide much-needed facilities including a place of worship, a social hub and bar, a laundrette, health services and housing provision. Plans are underway and this development is shaping up to be an exciting space which will benefit the local community and beyond…
Following their success in creating a Miles Platting Wildlife Corridor through Greater Manchester Green Spaces funding, the Climate Action Group have enjoyed seeing the benefits of interventions across key local green spaces. New trees, hedging, wildlife, flowers & plants have been thriving during the summer and attracting a wide range of biodiversity. Local residents have enjoyed attending local gardening events and look forward to a community orcharding workshop at Chippenham Gardens this Friday 22nd August.
With continued support from Dr Jenna Ashton from University of Manchester and Creative Climate Resilience, the Climate Action Group are looking to fund further improvements, protection, and local engagement across Miles Platting’s green spaces.
The Social Homes for Miles Platting campaign has been making headway as MPCAN members have been meeting with their local councillors and MP to advocate for increased numbers of social homes. Our AGM in July also included a consultation led by PLACED, the community engagement team on upcoming local developments in partnership with Jigsaw Homes.
The wider Social Homes for Manchester campaign saw a big step forward as Manchester City Council (MCC) passed a motion to increase social and affordable housing targets in the city. Where the 2012 policy said that only 5% of new housing developments of 15 homes or more had to be social or affordable, they have now voted for a new target, under which 21% of new housing developments of 10 homes or above must be social rent.
These new targets were a key focus for the Manchester Social Housing Commission, which has MPCAN represented by members Sue Anya and Sheila Davies. The announcement represents a huge success on part of the hardwork and advocacy of community commissioners from Miles Platting, Hulme and Moss Side.
MPCAN age-friendly and action groups are going from strength to strength and their commitment to the community continues to benefit local residents in Miles Platting and Manchester more widely.
If you wish to get involved, please email [email protected] !
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