Like Toto in the Wizard of OZ, the coronavirus crisis has pulled back the curtain to reveal the inner workings of our society. The precarity of the vulnerable and how many of us are much closer to that vulnerability than we realised. The new light has revealed who’s work is truly essential and how deeply […]
The new coronavirus Neighbourhood Watch
Whilst spreading the ‘stay at home’ message, our news outlets have also been flooding us with images of people in parks and outside, fueling widespread suspicion and mistrust throughout communities. Police have reported an increase in calls and groups set up for mutual aid are being inundated with videos and pictures of neighbours playing in […]
Don’t let the coronavirus crisis usher in chlorinated chicken – and worse!
The UK and US trade deal negotiations are still underway, aiming to be finished for the end of the Brexit transition period with the EU in December. Campaigners in Manchester are determined to oppose the introduction of chlorinated chicken and continue the fight for the UK to keep its higher standards in farming and food […]
Supporting vulnerable communities in Manchester during the coronavirus crisis
Four organisations supporting vulnerable communities in Manchester speak of the difficulties they are facing in carrying out their work due to the coronavirus crisis Disadvantaged and marginalised communities in Manchester face hardships at the best of times. Organisations offering help to these communities usually top up government support with charitable contributions from the public. With […]
Coronavirus pandemic: housing activists call for more protection for tenants in Greater Manchester
Renters reliant on sick pay are at risk of eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing activists in Greater Manchester are calling for more protection for those in the Private Rented Sector affected by the coronavirus and for the homeless to be housed during the crisis. Dismayed at the lack of protection offered to private renters […]
Deliveroo Drivers: Mobile workers with a Mobile Union
Covid 19: face masks, boredom, Deliveroo and Zoom were some of the key features of that mundane, samey yet scary period. The use of face masks may have waned, but the popularity of food delivery services such as Deliveroo and Just Eat hasn’t. Food delivery riders are now a more common sight than postal workers; both professions carry a heavy load and involve long, hard hours but the main difference between them is that one workforce is supported by a large, established, wealthy union, the CWU. The other isn’t.
Autumn of Action to follow Summer of Solidarity
Trades Unions are working together with community groups to organise action against poor pay & conditions, and the cost-of-living crisis. I attended the first of many planned ‘town hall’ meetings in Greater Manchester designed to inform and prepare locals to fight back against a broken system.
‘Crafternoons’ return to support mental wellbeing
Stitched Up’s successful mental health ‘Crafternoons’ are returning thanks to new funding from the Manchester Wellbeing Fund.
Who Cares? If you knew more about the lives of young carers – you would
The award-winning play documenting the lives of young carers in Salford returned to The Lowry.
The Meteor spoke to the playwright of Who Cares and Salford Carers’ Service about their campaign to improve the lives of the multitude of hidden young carers across the UK providing round the clock care to family members.
Universities in Manchester need to value their students more than their profit margins
Manchester student returning to University this year after experiencing the last academic year under the Covid lockdowns, reflects on how the marketisation of education contributed to the dire experience of students through the pandemic.