NEPHRA Newsletters & Reports
AGM Report September 07
AGM Report 24th September 07 - as NEPHRA celebrates its third birthday we take a look back at the years achievements, some of which include:
A Successful Application to the Food futures Team 3rd September 06
Nephra secures funding to start an organic allotment – panic stations as what we do now! We realise this could form part of a much wider strategy and to fulfil this we need more funds – we decide apply to the Cash Grant for additional funding.
A Soup & Saucy Salsa Event with Indoor Curling – 26th September 06
With the help of a grant from VOP– (Valuing Older People) and support from the ZEST Project, residents enjoyed another helping of Soup & Saucy Salsa, but, this time round, in an attempt to attract some of our male members, we included a session of Indoor Curling. It worked and great fun was had by all. These activities made NEPHRA realise there was a need to provide something more for our older residents. With this in mind we began to explore avenues of funding for the provision of a Luncheon Club.
The Development of a Children’s Toy Library – Grant Police Property Act Fund - 4th October 06
NEPHRA was successful in its bid to the Police Property Act Fund, and as a result, was able to purchase a selection of large garden toys. These toys are available for hire to children of residents whose homes back onto alleyways. There is no charge for this service, but parents must take responsibility for ensuring the equipment is not abused.
The NEPHRA Shed – 21st October 07
Much of our equipment was being stored in and around committee members’ homes, and as many of us live in terraced houses this was a real sacrifice! Fortunately, with the help of a grant from acquired through the Zest Project we purchased a much needed NEPHRA shed. That weekend we cajoled members of our families – husbands, brothers and nephews (no one was safe), to give up their Sunday, to help erect the large metal shed we had bought. It soon became apparent this was a bigger job than we originally thought, but as usual, the lads stuck at it until the job was done. Many thanks lads, we couldn’t have done it without you!
The Planting of NEPHRA’s Living Christmas Tree - 28th October 06
NEPHRA, with the help of residents, staff and service users of the Northfield Day Centre and the Booth Homelessness Project planted its living Christmas tree. This was no easy task: firstly we had to hire a pneumatic drill to get through the concrete and building debris found underground (left by the builders who demolished the old prefabs). Secondly, we needed dogged determination as well as the help of our local councillors to overcome the hurdle of getting an outside power supply to light up the tree! Thankfully, we overcame the obstacles in our way, now with the kind help of our NEPHRA volunteer electrician, the tree will bring Christmas Cheer to the Day Centre and local residents for years to come!
A successful bid to POPP (Manchester Partnership for Older Peoples Projects) - Over Fifties Luncheon Club -30th October 07
NEPHRA [sooner than anticipated] receives good news; its funding application to POPP’s is successful, so frantic preparations for the opening of our Luncheon Club begins in earnest. There’s a 3 day residential training course to attend as well as a full day’s training on what the POPP’s expects from us! Not to mention equipment to buy, menus’ to prepare and the all important volunteers to recruit! And all of this lands smack bang in the middle of our Christmas Fair preparations!
Our Christmas Fair Sunday 3rd December 06
Our first ever Christmas Fair really tests our mettle, because, as well as making preparations for the opening of the Luncheon Club, we’ve also got presents for Santa to wrap, magic reindeer food to design and package, Christmas cards to make, handbags, jewellery, children’s toys and Bric a Brac to collect. Then door to door we’ve raffle tickets to sell and bottles for the bottle stall to collect, and finally whilst the cakes for the cake stall are in the oven we’ve the hampers for the raffle to make up! Oh and I almost forgot Santa’s Grotto to decorate! It was all worth it though, as we raised in excess of £1000 ensuring the hefty insurance which we needed to take out for the Luncheon Club and Allotment (£720) could be met.
The Launch of our Over Fifties Luncheon Club 5th December 06
NEPHRA was grateful IKEA had landed in Ashton as this meant we could shop until midnight, bizarrely, this fitted in with our hectic schedule so we literally shopped till we dropped! Pots, pans, cutlery, glasses, jugs, colanders, plates, cups, bowls, the list was endless and then it all needed those horrid sticky labels removing before it was washed and ready for use! I can assure you this was no easy task with 50 place settings.
Opening day dawned and we were amazed at the response, we had rave reviews about our homemade offerings, and word spread quickly about our wholesome grub. So much so, that today, meals sell out very quickly and we regularly feed between 45 and 50 of our older residents a tasty, healthy & nutritious lunch. The ZEST project is always on hand to lend support if we need it, and Tracey from the Dance Centre has been truly amazing. Now, where ever possible we use organic produce from our allotment which in its first year has yielded amazing results.
18th December 06 Over Fifties Christmas Buffet
Our first ever Christmas Buffet – and what a buffet it was – fresh salmon, prawns, beef & turkey was served along with a wide range of pickles and side salads. Profiteroles, mini pastries, melon & fresh strawberries were available for desert. Local councillors, representatives from POPP, the PCT, our newly appointed PCSO’s and officers from the City Council sat down with over 50 local residents and all enjoyed a hearty lunch.
January 07 Volunteer Training
NEPHRA Volunteers undertake much needed information technology training. Four of our committee members have access to a computer but not enough skills to use it. Training is provided by MCIN – Manchester City Information Network. All of those involved found this very useful and more sessions are planned for this winter.
Formal offer of CASH Grant 1st February 2007
The long awaited puff of smoke went up and we got the formal letter confirming our success in our Cash Grant Application. This indeed was good new as it meant we could extend our plans for the allotment to ensure it would not only act as a much needed community resource, but that it would also provide for our Luncheon Club. The planning process began in earnest and dates for the building works were pencilled in. It was good news too for Hawthorn Road, as NEPHRA’s bid to resurface their alleyway was successful too. Work was completed in July and the children renamed it Friendship Alley!
First Meeting of the Moston Health Forum - 12th February 07
Meeting sees residents from New Moston sit down with councillors, officers from the city council, representatives from the PCT and other appropriate agencies to discuss ways of improving health. This group now meets quarterly and NEPHRA is very pleased with its progress to date. The next meeting takes place on the 8th October at 2pm at the Parkfield Dance Centre Eastwood Road and all are welcome.
Allotment Construction March & April 07
Once the beds, raised beds and paths were insitu, the digging in of manure, which was to improve the quality of our soil began. We were advised by our green fingered wizard – Dena Murphy this was the way forward, time was now against us as we were some months behind her planting schedule!. However, unknown to us all Dena had crammed into her own green house lots of plants and seedlings which would give us a head start. Our very own green house was delivered early May, and as we struggle to erect it, help came in a number of different guises - PCSO’s, friends, neighbours and even the probation service lent a hand.
As the allotment began to take shape, there was a real buzz in the area, the sun shone in those early days and service users at the Day Centre were in their element lending a helping hand. Plants began to flourish and we sat down and planned our allotment launch.
Allotment Launch & Good Neighbour Fun Day -Sunday 27th May 07
NEPHRA volunteers worked their socks off planning for the Fun Day and as the day dawned, the bad weather (rain and high winds) the MET Office had been promising for the Bank Holiday weekend, landed with gusto!
Everyone refused to be glum and got on with the putting up our brand new events marquee and shiny new gazebos. Mercifully, we anchored them down well and they provided good shelter from the elements. Thankfully, the rain stopped but the wind was still very gusty, we needn’t have worried though, despite the bad weather, your support was fantastic and once again with the raffle we took in excess of £1000.
Dena had done a brilliant job and everyone was amazed at our allotment. To help brighten up our neighbourhood, residents brought along their hanging baskets and were filled free of charge. NEPHRA volunteers, staff and service users from the Northfield Day Centre worked together on the day and our heartfelt thanks go to the Centre staff and management, for all their help, kindness and continued support.
Oswaldtwistle Mill Trip 19th June 07
Approximately 45 residents and volunteers from the Luncheon Club enjoyed a day out to Oswaldtwistle Mill. The sun shone, the company was excellent and many bargains were to be had. Such a good time was had by all, that two other trips are arranged for later this year. These are: SKIPTON MARKET on 17th October and Christmas Lunch, Carols and shopping at OSWALDTWISTLE MILL - 20th November.
Foods of the World 29th June 07
As part of Moston Health Weeks NEPHRA hosted a Foods of the World Event. Residents enjoyed tasting delicious healthy food from around the world. Beetroot & Orange Soup, Moroccan Chicken, Chilli, Chicken in Oyster Sauce. Lamb Keema, Bombay Potato and fresh fruit was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Happy Feet 6th July 07
Again as part of Moston Health Weeks, NEPHRA organised a Happy Feet event. Residents were able to seek advice from a qualified chiropodist, enjoy an aromatherapy session and sample a reflexology treatment. In addition, Cosy Feet were on hand with good slipper and shoe fitting advice, and Scholl who as well as having foot care products available for purchase, also offered free foot massage sessions. As a treat residents enjoyed a much welcomed fresh cream tea!
Children’s Activities 30TH July – 10th August 07
NEPHRA was successful in its application for funding to the Local Network Fund. For the first time in New Moston, children aged seven and under and children aged 8 to 16 enjoyed a wide range of summer activities – the younger ones decorated a t-shirt, made a kite, a healthy pizza, a delicious smoothie, a place mat, a healthy lunch. They also had a sample cheerleading session, and put on a cheerleading display for parents. Each Friday they enjoyed trips out and went swimming had a tour of the NEPHRA allotment with sack races and space hopper races (mums & grans included). The final day was spent on a trip to Gulliver’s World.
NEPHRA funded the sessions for the 8 to 16 year olds, and these were provided for on Nuthurst Park. Here the focus was upon Sports and great fun was had by all. Trips to the Water Adventure Centre at Droylsdon were very popular, as were the tours around the grounds of Manchester City Football Club and Manchester United! Parents and children and young people took part in the evaluation and comments were very positive. A great time was had by all (staff and volunteers included) and NEPHRA hopes to apply for more funding for similar provision next summer.
Daily – Weekly – Monthly
Hardly a day goes by without a committee member undertakes some work on your behalf. We’ve our own committee meetings to attend, as well as essential planning meetings – needed to ensure our operations run as smoothly as possible. In addition, we need to attend a series of other meetings such as - Local Area Partnership meetings, Homewatch meetings, Moston Health Forum, Local Polices Surgeries, the Moston Brook Steering Group, and the Federation of Lightbowne and Moston Residents Association meetings Finally there are a variety of other meetings\seminars which we attend to keep abreast of things which might affect the quality of our lives, at a local and national levels, Some of these currently include Healthy Communities Collaborative, A question of Age, Healthy Ageing, Valuing Older People, The Generation Project and many more which are too numerous to mention!
All of this work is undertaken with you in mind, its about improving the quality of our lives, its about getting together to solve problems which affect us, its about caring and helping one another, its about recreating the long gone community spirit of yesteryear!
And Finally...
All that remains is for us to say is a huge thank you, to everyone who has helped and supported NEPHRA during this past year. In particular:
- We’d like to thank you, our residents for your fantastic support; we couldn’t have done it without you!
- Our Local Councillors for sticking their necks out, and for always going that extra mile on our behalf.
- Our families who are patient and understanding, and willing to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in!
- Officers from the City Council, in particular the Zest Project who give their help and support wherever and whenever it’s needed.
- Our Police Support Officers who are amazing, as they too roll up their sleeves and get stuck in!
- A big thank you goes to the New Moston Club, for their support in allowing us free access for meetings etc.
- And finally, we’d like to say a big thank you, to the Parkfield Dance Centre, for their big heart and True Community Spirit!