If you've heard of 'Fill the van' or seen 'Love Manchester' anywhere, that will be Manchester Vineyard's team buzzing through our city serving those most in need. Manchester Vineyard were there at the start for Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid Group, designing and printing leaflets for us and setting up helpline websites for each neighbourhood. They even helped to provide specific items for parcels and carried out deliveries when the group needed additional support.
We caught up with Pascale and Stuart from the MV team to find out more about what they've been doing to support communities in Manchester and the latest on their Project 422 mission for Longsight, Ardwick and surrounding Neighbourhoods.
The MV van itself
About Manchester Vineyard...
Manchester Vineyard is a Christian Church led by Paul & Steph Lowe, who have planted from Trent Vineyard, Nottingham.
As well as their Sunday gatherings at Dean Trust Ardwick, they are continuously working on various projects to help the communities of Manchester and bring people together; from virtual coffee mornings, fun weeknight meet ups for the youths, interactive events for the kids and more recently Project '422 Manchester'.
One of the most vital services they've offered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic is called 'Fill the van' delivering essentials to locals in need; sometimes supporting up to an incredible 176 people in a week.
For details about how 'Fill the van' works visit: https://manchestervineyard.org/fill-the-van-during-the-coronavirus/
MV's mission statement
" We want to build a community that finds and understands the needs of the city and seeks to practically and compassionately respond to them."
MV have also been partnering with the local BigLife Children's centres and Manchester Council to provide essential items for the people they refer - this has been mainly non-perishable food and toiletries as well as essential children’s items like nappies, baby food, wet wipes etc.
If you know anyone self isolating please contact Manchester Vineyard
via email at hello@manchestervineyard.org or WhatsApp 0161 850 8905
Pascale gave us an insight into what Manchester Vineyard have been working on over the past few months....
How has the Covid pandemic affected MV and how have you responded?
" As with all other places of worship we had to stop meeting in person and move everything we were doing online. It has been a difficult time for a lot of our members, navigating the uncertainty and pain of this season, but we have always aimed to be a church who love Manchester and serve the city ahead of ourselves. We have poured our time and resources into finding creative ways to connect with people and meet basic needs. "
How did MV get involved with Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid Group?
" We started gathering on Sundays in Ardwick in 2017, and since then have been working to connect with the local councillors to better serve the area. We’ve had contact with Amna (Councillor for Ardwick) over the years, and she let us know about the Mutual Aid group and invited us to join in. "
What other ways has MV supported the community?
" We have put together little treat packs for a number of frontline charities, care workers, HMP Manchester and several hospital teams, to share our appreciation for the brave work they have done during the pandemic.
We've also worked with some local schools previously to run after school clubs, and are working on doing something similar in the school holidays too. "
One of Manchester Vineyard's most recent projects 'Treat your neighbour' is a great opportunity to buy a special hamper filled with treats which will be delivered to one of the 100 households that have received regular support from MV throughout the pandemic.
To sign up, visit: https://manchestervineyard.churchsuite.co.uk/events/qxqhoukp
(Closes Monday 14th September 2020)
What advice would you give to someone interested in volunteering?
" Definitely get involved, it’s a great way to get to know your local community better, to develop friendships and make a difference. "
A special thank you from Manchester Vineyard
" St Margaret’s in Burnage and The Pakistani Centre in Longsight, have both helped us by providing a space to work out of, as we don’t have our own building, they’ve been a massive supports to us.
The Mutual Aid Group, the BigLife Nurseries and Children Centres, Manchester Council are all doing brilliant work to help those in need and it’s a privilege to work alongside them. "
To follow or join Manchester Vineyard...
Website: https://manchestervineyard.org/
Twitter: @ManchesterVnyrd
Facebook: @ManchesterVineyardUK
Project 422 Manchester...
Project 422 is headed up by Manchester Vineyard, who aim to tackle social isolation and child poverty by re-creating a community space to help locals connect with each other; be supported; improve wellbeing; provide opportunities for education and training; support families with basic needs and give people the chance for a better future.
Their vision
To re-open the Longsight Youth Centre and to restore its former status as the heart of the local community and in doing so breathe new life and hope into the area.
The building will be split into different areas with the grand events hall on the main first floor; cafe and social rooms on the ground floor and flexible affordable office space in the basement.
Did you know...
• '422' named after the address, will be the name of the Community Hub once re-opened.
• The building was first built by the Mechanics institution in 1850 possibly inspired by the writings in the area by Karl Marx 'to entertain and educate', then later re-opened as a free library in 1892. Manchester Vineyard intend to carry on this legacy.
Many people have been involved in the labour including Volunteers and Apprentices. (Pictures taken in November 2019 before the Covid-19 outbreak - Click to view more)
We went to see the Project in June and found it such a grandiose building that offers so much potential. Stuart (the Project leader) talked us through some of the plans.
" The primary focus is to open the kitchen and café, which will be run by charity 'Pure Innovation', who will train people with learning difficulties. Then we would incrementally open up the other rooms and floors to create space for activities such as walking football; arts and music performances and pop up cinema events; parent and toddler groups; healthcare support and workshops providing welfare-finance-digital & job seeking advice, the list is endless. All of these will make a major contribution to physical and mental health wellbeing, even providing a safe space for teenagers to let off steam. "
" We've received a lot of support from Neighbourhood groups, Councillors, local organisations and various members of the public and have received funds raised through Sport England and Manchester Vineyard, but we've still yet to reach our target of £750,000. "
We recently caught up with Stuart and found out the latest...
Where is the project up to now and has the pandemic affected your plans?
" Currently we are on the verge of getting the 50 year lease signed, the team are still working on renovations and our aim is to have the cafe up and running within 6 months. We're also keen to open up the events hall asap and look forward to hosting the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in the future.
Covid-19 has impacted the project and caused some delays but it's also a reminder of how much this is needed. The things you value most should not be easy and it's about community, not us, so we need to get them in there as soon as we are able. As the saying goes...'You can't change the wind but you can adjust the sails'. "
What kind of support is still needed?
" We still require a lot of funds raising and also need more professional help such as plumbers and electricians. As we will be opening the floors and rooms up incrementally, there will be domestic boilers on each floor and will need domestic engineers. We will also need to build a car park round the back. "
We understand the Community Hub will be run mainly through various Partnerships. What is the importance of Partnerships to you?
" We can't be successful without Partnerships. We are a church of 200+ members, but need to engage with many local partners to maximise the potential of this iconic building and run the Community Hub at full capacity with a multitude of diverse activities and events. Therefore we see Partnerships as being central in bringing the community together and responding to their needs. "
" We welcome more Partnerships to join us on this journey "
To follow the journey of Project 422 Manchester...
Website link: www.422manchester.org
Facebook: @422manchester
If you would like to donate to Project 422 Manchester, you can do the following...
The £1 Challenge - 'Reducing the impact of Child Poverty' is a Crowd funder where you can donate as little a £1 to help towards the restoration of the building, reverse the effects of child poverty and provide support and training.
You can donate here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/onepoundchallenge1
Or you can give to the project here: https://manchestervineyard.org/giving/
From everyone at Ardwick and Longsight Mutual Aid Group, we would like to thank Manchester Vineyard for their support and partnership.
Thank you for being an integral part of Manchester, continuously developing ways to support the wellbeing of our communities, keeping people connected through uncertain times and being at the forefront of changes needed to overcome child poverty.
We are excited for Project 422, the future centre of wellbeing; seeing how many lives this will improve and change for the better.
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