Forever Manchester Podcast

Out Now, the latest episode of Forever Mancunians features 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 i

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! 

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!    

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.  

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

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!

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), Rod Maxwell, co-founder of community radio station, Radio Alty, shares his story of overcoming trauma following a Brain Hemorrhage, finding comfort in volunteering and the positive impact of meeting, chatting and being in the company of others, through to his interest and involvement in local community radio and it's many benefits.  Based in Altrincham, RadioAlty is a local online community radio station run by volunteers from the local area. 

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, Maureen Holcroft and Noreen Bond from Daffodils Dreams in Wigan, share their story, commitment and response to the concerning issue of child poverty inpacting on young people and thier families across Wigan. Established in 2019, Daffodils Dreams is guided by the belief that every child and failiy deserves the opportunity to thrive, to dream big, and to build a brighter future! 

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.

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.

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. 

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.      

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..  

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! 

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 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.  

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 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?” 

The Forever Manchunians 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 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”     

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!  

Aniff Akinola is a renowned vocalist, writer, producer and ex record label owner who was also a founding member of the cult Manchester hip-hop outfit 'Chapter and the Verse' and co-writer of A Guy Called Gerald's classic house anthem "Voodoo Ray". Aniff was also a co-writer of Kirsty MacColl's hit "Walking Down Maddison" and general co-conspiritor of such 90's electronic luminaries as The Orb, Steve Hillage and The Beloved. He was also a co-writer of Ian Brown's "Set My Baby Free" and was one half of Backyard Dog, who wrote the UK Top 20 Hit "Baddest Roughest" which went on to become the Coca Cola World Cup Theme alongside being featured in Ali G's "In the House" and "Bend it Like Beckham"   He was involved in The Ironweed Project and their song "Get on the Floor" was featured in the Hollywood blockbuster How to Loose Friends and Alienate People. Aniff continues to write and produce today for up and coming artists both nationally and internationally and he also enjoys doing occasional lectrues and conferences

Aniff Akinola is a renowned vocalist, writer, producer and ex record label owner who was also a founding member of the cult Manchester hip-hop outfit 'Chapter and the Verse' and co-writer of A Guy Called Gerald's classic house anthem "Voodoo Ray". Aniff was also a co-writer of Kirsty MacColl's hit "Walking Down Maddison" and general co-conspiritor of such 90's electronic luminaries as The Orb, Steve Hillage and The Beloved. He was also a co-writer of Ian Brown's "Set My Baby Free" and was one half of Backyard Dog, who wrote the UK Top 20 Hit "Baddest Roughest" which went on to become the Coca Cola World Cup Theme alongside being featured in Ali G's "In the House" and "Bend it Like Beckham" He was involved in The Ironweed Project and their song "Get on the Floor" featured in the Hollywood blockbuster 'How to Loose Friends and Alienate People'. Aniff continues to write and produce today for up and coming artists both nationally and internationally and he also enjoys doing occasional lectrues and conferences. In