Gather, Eat, Move Funding - Gorton and Abbey Hey

Age Friendly Manchester, in partnership with Healthy Me, Healthy Communities (HMHC) is offering grants for community groups, charities and social enterprises who work with people aged 50 and over in Gorton and Abbey Hey. We want to fund projects that bring older people together, especially those that might not connect with others very often, to eat, cook or learn about food and nutrition together and to encourage people to move more and take part in exercise.   

Projects will: 

• Bring people together in social spaces for food and/or other activities involving food and eating 
• Create opportunities for people to connect to help tackle social isolation, help build long term relationships and develop peer support. 
• Increase healthy ageing through nutrition – to support better understanding of eating well and the reduction of malnutrition through good food provision. 
• Increase healthy ageing through movement and exercise including strength and balance activities. Raising awareness and participation in activities in the community. 
• Connect people to information, support and services enabling them to live and age well in their community. 

Funding amount: between £1000 and £5000 

How to apply: Please fill in the Proposal Form below and shortlisted applications will be invited to meet with a group of people who work and volunteer in Gorton and Abbey Hey – forms and guidance are below. 

Find out more: 

We are hosting two funding workshops where you can find out more about this funding and get tips on how to apply. Both sessions are delivered by Rich Browning, CEO of HMHC and Thea Monk from Age Friendly Manchester will be there to answer any questions you may have about the funding. To book on to the workshops follow this link https://forms.office.com/e/8cxtqp4Wyi  or call 0161 222 3633 and a member of the team will book you on. 

Online Workshop: Monday 2nd December 10.30am-12noon 

In person: Tuesday 3rd December 9.30am-11am at Gorton Central, Gorton, M18 8PE 

Closing Date for applications: 5pm on 17 December 2024 

The group will invite people in to talk about their applications week commencing 13th January. 

If you have any questions about the funding you can contact Thea on thea.monk@manchester.gov.uk or 07966 229 600 

Celebrating a £1 million in Gorton Central

Partners, participants, and local residents were invited to Gorton Central to tour the newly refurbished Community Hub,   find out more about the great work taking place,  and see  what the future holds.

Over £1 million in investment was secured to refurbish the Gorton Central, and Healthy Me Healthy Communities  has ambitious plans for the community hub since taking on a 25-year lease from Manchester City Council in January 2024.

Two  Gorton Central Open Days were held in September when partner organisations and local residents toured the newly refurbished building, discovered the range of activities and opportunities on offer, and enjoyed the award winning community growing garden.

• Volunteers shared their work, past and present
• We showcased our Learning Store and Community Health Research partnership projects
• Partner organisations such as  Angels for Women of Hope, Citizens Advice Bureau and Jigsaw Homes were available to speak to people in person.
• Delicious lunches were provided by the amazing team at Levenshulme Inspire Cafe.

Thankyou to everyone that came along to celebrate with us, and  to the team of staff and volunteers that worked together to make the events a great success.

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We’ve been working with Bringing People and Health Research Together | Vocal and Manchester Biomedical Research Centre Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (nihr.ac.uk) researchers on the ‘CancerAndUs’ programme, where Gorton residents and researchers cook and chat about cancer, prevention and research.

HMHC signed up as Members of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter

We are a proud Supporter of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter.

"Here at HMHC, everyday we see the impact of poor employment pay and conditions with a immeasurable cost for individuals, community and society.
As part of our approach to a fairer and healthier Manchester, we are proud to create good jobs with pay, conditions and opportunities."  Rich (CEO)

HMHC are committed to making a difference in our employee's lives by elevating employment standards in the key characteristics covered in the Charter: secure work, flexible work, real living wage, excellent people management, workplace engagement and voice, excellent recruitment and progression, and a healthy and productive workplace. #GoodEmployment