Freephone helpline to support the more vulnerable in Manchester
A new freephone helpline to support the more vulnerable people in Manchester during the Coronavirus pandemic will go live on from 8.30am from Monday 30th March 2020 offering support to
• People over the age of 70 who are self-isolating and have no support network
• People who have received a letter from the NHS advising they are at higher risk or are medically vulnerable according to government criteria
• Those who are self-isolating with no support networks (ie. friends or family).
Help will also be available, but not limited to, other groups such as carers, care leavers or young carers.
The primary needs that call handlers can help with are:
• Delivery of food
• Delivery of medication
• Combating loneliness
• Managing fuel top-up payments
The freephone number is: 0800 234 6123 and lines are open Monday to Saturday, between 8.30am and 5.30pm.
You can also goto: www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus where people can access up to date information immediately.

The Inspired Taskforce will help by
– providing a freshly cooked meal every day to a group of 50 targeted older or vulnerable people
– delivering food bags on Fridays to all those who would normally get food bags from The Bread & Butter Project.
– working with Levy Corona Helpers to mobilise a team of around 30 delivery drivers
– organising a ‘telephone tree’ to support 150 older people with a phone call each week
IF YOU KNOW OF ANYBODY WHO MIGHT NEED SUPPORT OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A DELIEVRY VOLUNTEER OR PHONE VOLUNTEER THEN PLEASE CALL KATE ON 07459626955

Spotted on Slade Lane, Lev

For those in need call 0300 365 3101 or goto:

www.feedmycity.org

The government has issued guidance saying that community centres should be closed other than for “essential voluntary and public services” and cafes are permitted to be open for “food delivery and takeaway”. Following this guidance, and in discussion with other community partners, the Inspire Centre is now closed to the general public.

However, Inspire staff and volunteers will continue to work to provide services to the community in three ways:

1. Support for older and vulnerable people

• Inspire will provide a freshly cooked meal every day to a group of 50 targeted older or vulnerable people (these are not expected to be in the ‘shielded’ group but who still need support).
• It will also deliver food bags on Fridays to all those who would normally get food bags from The Bread & Butter Project.
• It will work with Levy Corona Helpers to mobilise a team of around 30 delivery drivers to do this.
• Inspire will also organise a ‘telephone tree’ to support 150 older people with a phone call each week through a team of 30 call volunteers.

2. Meal production and deliveries

• To the cohort of 50 older and vulnerable people identified above;
• To employees at Asda Longsight supermarket who have requested this service;
• To other customers if there is the capacity to do so.

3. Community support and online activity

• The Inspire Centre phoneline (0161 850 5717) will remain open for people to call if they are looking for advice and support. Many of our regular visitors are often in need of a chat or some informal advice and signposting. This is not a formal information, advice and guidance service but we do wish to remain ‘open’ to those who will be missing visiting the centre.
• Alongside this, we are planning some simple online activities including a weekly ‘Inspire Community Online’ drop-in where people will be able to Zoom in for a community conversation.
• We will also look to support other local residents who are organising other community activities such as access to ICT equipment, provision of local information and other online fun and we will work in close partnership with Levy Corona Helpers, Levenshulme Good Neighbours and other local partners as best we can.

• £5 will pay for a take-away meal that can be distributed to an isolating older person

• £10 will pay for the extra cleaning we are having to do each day to keep the centre safe
• £25 will keep the Inspire Centre with light, heat, water and insurance for a day
• £50 will keep the café kitchen open for a day to prepare take-away meals for distribution
• £100 could be seen as ‘suspended room hire’ for a whole room for a day to ensure we will be able to open again when the crisis is over

Many thanks for all your support.

Here’s a couple of website that may help

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/52042919

• For help and support in Whalley Range, or if you know of an older or vulnerable person who might need some help, please contact your local councillors:

Mary Watson, tel: 0161 860 5523

Angeliki Stogia, tel: 07901 528 750

Aftab Razaq, tel: 07799 560 244

• Barlow Moor Community Association have a  package of support in place, including

A remote Befriending Service

Referral’s to other organisations such as those helping with Emergency Food Packs, grass roots community/church groups

Those volunteers who are eager to offer their time will be signposted to grass root community/church groups

• Online delivery of courses will continue with remote tutor support

They are registered to issue Foodbank Vouchers Electronically

Holding a virtual Youth Club at the times youth provision would normally be on

Providing online play activities and packs for children

Offering remote services and staying in touch with all our parents and carers of Nursery Children

Tel: 0161 446 4805 or 07985 740 669

• Levenshulme Inspire For telephone befriending support, food deliveries, books and DVD sharing and more please contact Kate Williams, tel. 07952 178 459.

• Burnage Good Neighbours have able bodied volunteers willing to do shopping for anyone over the age of 55 and living in Burnage (all DBS checked) also daily/weekly phone calls if required Tel: 01614317220 or 07395958649
• Wythenshawe Good Neighbours have decided to extend their telephone befriending service to any self isolating person who feels that a “how are you” phone call would benefit them. Please get in touch if a member of your family, friend or neighbour would like to receive a regular phone call. If you would like to volunteer there’s plenty of telephone befriending opportunities and you could make that difference. Contact Marie on 07875286866 or Sam on 07816960025 for more information.
• LGBT Foundation if you are feeling worried, isolated or alone do pick up the phone and reach out to us on 0345 3 30 30 30

·         Books to go

Books to Go provides a home delivery service for Manchester residents who have limited mobility, a visual impairment or any difficulty leaving their home.

They have books in both ordinary and large-print size, talking books and DVDs. Call 0161 227 3800 or email bookstogo@manchester.gov.uk

• AgeUK Manchester are setting up donation and distribution sites in Openshaw, Wythenshawe and Gorton to provide local older people with daily essentials.

They are particularly in need of: Paper products, e.g. toilet roll, kitchen roll, tissues, cleaning products, toiletries, non-perishable food items

Things to pass the time when in isolation, e.g. books, crossword books, jigsaws etc.

Donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm at:

Gorton Day Centre, Melland Centre, Mount Road, Gorton. M18 7QR

Crossacres Care Home, Reel Hall Road, Wythenshawe, M22 5DG

Openshaw Resource Centre, 10 Catherine Street, Openshaw. M11 1WF.

Ardwick and Longsight Foodbank need donations; food and money. So if you can help pls email info@ardwickandlongsightfoodbank.org.uk
or call 0161 273 3977, that 0161 273 3977

FareShare needs volunteers to help manage food redistribution to the more vulnerable . They’ll provide training and expenses.

If you are COVID-19 free ,not in a vulnerable group nor supporting someone who is, please call 0161 223 8200 option 6 or go to faresharegm.org.uk

• Take care of yourself at this time. Try and get enough rest, eat healthy food, do some physical activity, and stay in contact with family and friends. Avoid using tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. In the long term, these can worsen your mental and physical wellbeing.

Try and stay in contact with people when possible. Even when isolated, try as much as possible to keep your personal daily routines or create new routines.

Minimise watching, reading or listening to news that causes you to feel anxious or distressed. Get information updates at specific times during the day, once or twice. The sudden and near-constant stream of news reports about an outbreak can cause us all to get worried. Get the facts; not the rumours . Gather information at regular intervals, from places such as the BBC, Manchester City Council, NHS, ALL FM. Facts can help to ease the fears.

Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper. Check-in by phone on neighbours or people in your community who may need some extra assistance. We’ll get there.

Hi everyone, we’re going to attempt an ALL FM daily update re CoronaVirUs and what’s on out there. Firstly, there’s a lot  people out there who want to help and support, so let’s try and stay positive. If you want to tell us about anything going on in your community please email ed@allfm.org

Let’s quickly cover the symptoms of CoronaVirus, these are:

• a new continuous cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath

If you have these symptoms, however mild, please stay at home and do not leave your house for 14 days from when your symptoms started.  You don’t need to tell the NHS you’re staying at home, and you won’t be tested. Get in touch with the NHS if:

• you don’t feel better after 7 days
• your symptoms are getting worse
• you feel you can’t cope with your symptoms at home.

You should do this by calling the NHS on phone number 111. Don’t go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The Government has advised us that we should try and avoid contact with other people in confined or social spaces such as cafes, pubs, cinemas and theatres. These measures are called social distancing. In practical terms, for many this means trying to remain at home if possible. There are some people who need to pay particular attention to this advice to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. These include:

1. People aged over 70
2. People aged under 70 with underlying health conditions, such as;

• Long-term respiratory disease, e.g. asthma, COPD and emphysema
• Heart, liver and kidney disease
• Diabetes

If you’re online, go to nhs.uk for more info.

You’re still able to go outside to exercise, or to get fresh air and it’s OK to go to the shops for essentials as long as you do not have any symptoms. Go to local shops if you can. Firstly they’re more likely to have the essentials. Secondly we need to support our local businesses, now more than ever.

You need to avoid coming into close contact with other people, and avoid gatherings with friends and family where possible.
One of the best ways of killing the virus and stopping its spread is by making sure you wash your hands frequently and thoroughly  with soap and hot water, or hand sanitiser if you have it

You should wash your hands:

• For at least 20 seconds
• When you get home after going out
• Before eating or handling food
• After sneezing or blowing your nose.

Local organization that need our support right now, include:

Ardwick and Longsight Foodbank need donations; food and money. As you can imagine foodbanks are having issues right now. So if you can help pls email info@ardwickandlongsightfoodbank.org.uk
or call 0161 273 3977, that 0161 273 3977

FareShare needs volunteers to help manage food redistribution to the more vulnerable . They’ll provide training and expenses.

If you are COVID-19 free ,not in a vulnerable group nor supporting someone who is, please call 0161 223 8200 option 6 or go to faresharegm.org.uk

AgeUK Manchester are setting up donation and distribution hubs in Openshaw, Wythenshawe and Gorton to provide local older people with daily essentials.

They are particularly in need of:

• Paper products, e.g. toilet roll, kitchen roll, tissues
• Cleaning products
• Toiletries
• Non-perishable food items
• Things to pass the time when in isolation, e.g. books, crossword books, jigsaws etc.

Donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday; 9am to 5pm at:

Gorton Day Centre, Melland Centre, Mount Road, Gorton. M18 7QR

Crossacres Care Home, Reel Hall Road, Wythenshawe, M22 5DG

Openshaw Resource Centre, 10 Catherine Street, Openshaw. M11 1WF.

For more info; please email terri.torevell@ageukmanchester.org.uk

We’re going to try keep this daily bulletin going, so tell us what’s going on in your area, big and small. Email Ed@allfm.org

Let’s stay calm and support each other.

ALL FM is looking for an Employment Support Provider

We are searching for a Provider; this may be a sole trader or an organisation.

Purpose of the Role:
The Employment Support Provider will play a central role in the implementation of ensuring that the ALL FM Radio Production Training is addressing employability skills for the participants. You will be working closely with the ALL FM Radio Trainer and Station Manager and wider team to complement the Radio Production skills training and to support employability training for out of work adults.
Employability training will include: acting as a job coach for participants who are seeking employment, helping them to search, prepare for and access into employment, cv development.

Main Elements:
I. To support the employability aspect of Radio production

II. To utilise employability training to support the participants.

III. To help engage and liaise with employers to identify suitable opportunities (work experience, jobs, placements, trials, internships, volunteering) for participants including contacting employers, assessing potential job roles/work placements and joint planning

IV. To promote and support links between local employers, ALL FM and participants.

V. To develop and maintain links with relevant organisations, groups and agencies e.g. education and training providers, Jobcentre Plus/Department for Work and Pensions, to support the delivery of ALL FM’s training.

VI. To work with the staff team and volunteers to identify and support participants to enable them to progress towards work/supported employment including CV development, interview skills, portfolios, training and qualifications

VII. To ensure a full understanding of available job roles/work opportunities for participants and to help match them to appropriate opportunities taking full account of both employer and participant needs

VIII. To provide job coaching support to participants to help them transition into work safely and effectively e.g. adopt appropriate workplace behaviour, integrate into the social environment of the workplace and making sure the work gets done to the standards required by the employer

IX. To monitor and review participants in work experience and/or volunteering placements and to provide advice and support to the employer and participants to enable progression

X. To maintain confidentiality at all times in line with ALL FM’s policies.

XI. To develop, operate and maintain robust record keeping procedures in line with relevant GDPR and confidentiality requirements, ensuring accurate and up todate records including individual member files, daily and weekly logs, records of achievements and significant occurrences

XII. Any other duties as agreed commensurate with the nature and level of the post.

Main characteristics
1. Experienced in helping people with barriers to improve their employment and job search skills to secure employment

2. Knowledge of and commitment to person centred approaches to supporting vulnerable/disadvantaged people.

3. Experience of working with and/or supporting volunteers

4. Excellent organisational and time management skills and ability to manage a diverse workload/prioritise effectively

5. Passion for developing others and effective interpersonal style including; able to lead by example in supporting others to fulfill their potential, excellent communication and facilitation skills, good team working skills, ability to work on own initiative

6. Good administration and IT skills (e.g. word processing, excel, email)

7. Knowledge of recruitment and/or of working with out of work adults.

8. Experience of developing employment opportunities for those facing labour market disadvantages

9. Experience of working in/with community based organisations & businesses

10. Experience of marketing and promotion e.g. newsletters, press releases, events Letter of application and interview

Additional Information:
The post is for 1.5 days/week with flexibility in delivery to match delivery commitments.
There may be a requirement for some evening working.
Note that as this post will have responsibility for working with vulnerable adults it is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Rate: £100/day

Applying for the post
To apply for this position please send:
A letter of application setting out why you want the position, how you meet the requirements and what you will be able to contribute to ALL FM (no more than 2 sides of A4) and a CV if applicable to ed@allfm.org
Subject to a service contract.
A sole trader will need to prove evidence of self employment.

Deadline: 22/11/19 5pm

The Community Radio Awards 2019 ‘Station of the Year’ is……..ALL FM 96.9

Manchester’s ALL FM won the prestigious ‘Station of the Year’ award in the Community Radio Awards in South Wales on Saturday night. Nominated for the third successive year, ALL FM was competing with; ‘Pride Radio’, ‘Spark FM’, ‘Ujima Radio’ and ‘Wycombe Sound’.

A judge commented on ALL FM that it was ‘possibly the most inclusive, diverse station I have ever heard and is a wonderful example of what Community Radio should be’. Another judge praised ‘the wide range of programming available and the clear passion of the presenters’.

ALL FM’s ethos is ‘by the community, for the community’. It has 115 active volunteers and broadcasts 7 days a week, 16 hours a day. Its shows include six foreign language shows, shows by and for; carers, people on the Autism Spectrum, those with mental health issues, disabilities, people from BAME communities, LGBTQ communities as well as specialist music shows, DriveTime and Breakfast shows.

In addition to broadcasting, it trains a diverse range of people in the Manchester communities. In November it will be commencing radio training projects with those who have long term mental health issues, out of work adults, women and older people at risk of isolation. Chair of ALL FM, Martin Logan who also presents the very popular ‘Out & About in Manchester’ said ‘The Irish are one of many communities in Greater Manchester to benefit from ALL FM’s diverse outlook and innovative approach to training and broadcasting.’

Ed Connole, Director of ALL FM said ‘There are so many amazing community radio stations in Greater Manchester and the UK. So we’re very proud to have won ‘Station of the Year. This award represents the hard work, dedication and talent of our volunteers and staff who have been going above and beyond for over nineteen years. It’s a great achievement.’

In addition to the ‘Station of the Year’, ALL FM also won the ‘Community Development Project’ of the year for its partnership with Chapel St Primary School on the Radio Takeover Day in December 2018. On December 14th from 9am until 7pm Chapel Street’s children presented and produced every show live on air covering a diverse range of issues and topics. Martin Steers, Chair of The Community Radio Awards commented ‘“Radio continues to play a strong community role, and it’s a privilege to showcase it. The recognition for ALL FM is well deserved, and we hope it showcases their success, and encourages others to engage, represent and support their communities.”

ALL FM acknowledge and thank Manchester City Council, Our Manchester and the Tudor Trust for its support. Without whom winning ‘Station of the Year’ would not be possible. We also thank OneManchester and Children in Need for their support on the Chapel Street Primary School Radio Takeover Day.

For the third year in succession we have been nominated for ‘Station of the Year’. Last we were Bronze, so come on ALL FM….

Our Radio Takeover Day with Chapel St Primary School, when on Dec 14th, the children presented and produced every show from 9am -7pm, has been nominated for ‘Community Development Project’ at the Community Radio Awards.

Congratulations to our very own Moz who has been nominated for ‘Sage Person’ in the Community Radio Awards.

Communities speak with one voice to protect girls in the lead up to the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM

● FGM stands for Female Genital Mutilation and it is also known as ‘cutting’, ‘female circumcision’ or ‘sunna’ among other terms
● 6th February – International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM

The Government’s ‘Let’s Protect Our Girls’ campaign has garnered support from healthcare professionals, FGM campaigners, grassroots organisations, community-based media and people from practising communities who have spoken out against FGM, highlighting the lifelong consequences it can cause women. The campaign sends a powerful message that communities should protect children from this horrific practice, as it is child abuse and is illegal in the UK.

Dr Israa Siddig, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist said: ‘The Let’s Protect Our Girls’ campaign and the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM has provided a good platform to talk about a very important but uncomfortable issue for many. I’m a keen advocate for women’s health and am passionate about helping people to understand the life altering health consequences that FGM can have on women which can include childbirth complications, period problems, scarring, mental health issues and urinary infections. In some cases, FGM can even cause death.”

Dr Seun Bakare, GP goes further to explain: “People need to be aware of the dangers of FGM. It has no medical benefits and is often carried out by traditional circumcisers or cutters who do not have any medical training.”

Hibo Wardere, FGM campaigner added: “Many FGM survivors that I meet do not make the connection between the health issues they are experiencing and FGM. There’s a real disconnect. More education is needed to help practising communities understand the harmful effects.”

Janet Fyle, Policy Advisor for the Royal College of Midwives comments on the cultural aspect of FGM, she said: “I’m from a community that practises FGM and I say categorically that FGM is not part of my culture. When people ask me about my culture I talk about our food, my language, the music – things that are joyful and uplifting. FGM is child abuse, full stop. It condemns the girl to lifelong physical and psychological health problems. It’s a serious criminal offence in the UK and it rightly carries stiff penalties, with a maximum of 14 years in prison.”

Sarian Kamara, FGM campaigner added: “Some people believe that FGM will stop girls and women from being promiscuous. I can tell you from my own experience and talking to other survivors that it’s not true, however, it does leave you with emotional and physical scars that can last a lifetime.”

From a faith perspective Dr Mohamed Fahim, Imam said: “There’s nothing in the Quran that says we have to conduct FGM, it doesn’t exist. There is not a single Hadith (Prophetic Tradition), that Prophet Mohammed performed this on any of his daughters or granddaughters.” Likewise, Reverend Marjorie Esomowei also commented: “The bible is very clear, there isn’t any requirement for a woman to undergo FGM. It doesn’t make her more honourable in the sight of God.”

We all have a responsibility to protect our girls and should contact the NSPCC’s free dedicated FGM helpline if you are concerned that a child is at risk of or has undergone FGM.

You can speak to an NSPCC FGM helpline advisor anonymously on 0800 028 3550 or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk so that appropriate action can be taken. More information can be found online at www.nspcc.org.uk/fgm

Together we can end FGM in a generation

After a year of researching, training, audio editing and drinking lots of coffee, we launched Routes Into Levesnhulme, a series of shows about the people of Levenshulme; their journies, their stories, their lives.

Huge congratulations to our very own Linda Breakbeat Bee who just won best radio show in the 2017 BBS awards! Tune in every Friday at 9pm to find out why.

So it’s a bit cold and needs a little hoovering here and there. But its home to ALLFM. Or least the West Wing of the library is home to ALL FM. Or at least it will be when the crack gets repaired. We’re getting there….

troubles, we believe…

Our revised Ofcom Key Commitments

Key Commitments
Licence number: CR000023
Service name All FM Licence area South Manchester (as shown in the licensed coverage area map) Frequency 96.6 MHz

Description of character of service

All FM provides an ‘ultra-local’ service for the local communities of South Manchester and encourages members of the communities to be involved with its programming. It provides content that reflects the diverse inner city communities of the area, both in terms of the music and the speech content provided.

The service broadcasts:

-Music. The main types of music broadcast over the course of each week are: chart music (past and present) and music of appeal to the different ethnic communities in the local area. The service will also feature specialist music programmes.

-Speech: The main types of speech output broadcast over the course of each week are: content that reflects topics and issues of concern to members of the target community, as well as events taking place within the local area, discussion and local information.

-Over the course of each week, the majority of programming is broadcast in English, however, specialist programming in other languages that reflect the diversity of the communities in the area also feature.

-The service provides original output during daytime hours between 07:00 and 19:00.

-The studio is located within the licensed coverage area.

-The service provides a range of community benefits (social gain objectives mandated by statute) for the target community, both on-air and off-air, and in doing so, achieves the following objectives:

-the facilitation of discussion and the expression of opinion,

-the provision (whether by means of programmes included in the service or otherwise) of education or training to individuals not employed by the person providing the service, and

-the better understanding of the particular community and the strengthening of links within it.

Members of the target community contribute to the operation and management of the service.

The service has mechanisms in place to ensure it is accountable to its target community.

[March 2008. Revised September 2016]

1 Original output is output that is first produced for and transmitted by the service, and excludes output that was transmitted elsewhere before. Original output can be live or voice-tracked. Repeat broadcasts of original output do not count towards the minimum requirement. cr000023

Our Vintage FM team were at The Royal Exchange to review ‘The Mighty Waltzer’.

Vintage FM is a project in which we’re partnered by; Afe Friendly Manchester, The Royal Exchnage, Manchester Art Gallery & The Whitworth Art Gallery. The project is supported by The Baring Foundation, Anchor Housing and Manchester City Council.

IrishTV broadcast a feature on ALLFM. Here we are talking about ‘Fusion’ (our young people’s music project) and all what’s good about ALLFM…

Sadly Christine will be leaving ALL FM in November. In the year and a half that she has been here, she has been a wonderful asset to ALL FM and I know that everyone at ALL FM will miss her. On the plus side Jane will be taking over the running of the ‘Fusion’ project.

We would like to say a big thanks to Christine (even though she hasn’t left yet). On behalf of all the staff, volunteers and listeners we’d like to say a big THANK YOU.

It is with much sadness that we have to inform you that Danny Lumley aka Fish who presented ‘The Antisocial Social’ on Tuesdays passed away on Friday 19th September.

Fish was a wonderful presenter and person, and his talents and energy will be missed by everyone here at ALL FM. Our sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

His funeral is on Friday 10th October in Bedford Crematorium at 4pm.

His family have requested that no flowers be sent, but would welcome a donation to MIND (via Kingfisher Independent Funeral Directors, Gate Lodge, Cemetery Road, St Neots, Cambs. PE19 2BX).

After the funeral ceremony, there will be a celebration of Danny’s life at St Neots Rugby Club.

The next all fm radio training course runs 12-5pm on the following dates in October:
Tue 1st
Wed 2nd
Tue 8th
Wed 9th
Tue 15th
Wed 16th

The course will culminate in a live broadcast on ALL FM 96.9 FM. We will also offer the opportunity of broadcasting your own show after your training is complete. You don’t need previous experience, all you need to bring is enthusiasm. A pen and paper may be handy too.

Training is free.

Email ed@allfm.org

We’re clearing our basement so we can use it as room which can be used by community groups……we need help on monday from 10 am onwards to help empty it…even if you can spare only an hour..We’d be really grateful…..

BIG THANKS to Paul Johnson who collected £115.74 for ALL FM just by ‘rattling a tin’…..

Thanks to Martin Logan & Fiona Ledgard who ran the Manchester 10k for ALL FM…and also big thanks to Ursula Pabisch for her top sponsorship skills…

Over 50?

Out of work?

Fancy training in radio and broadcasting a show?

ALL FM is starting a course for you.

Email Ed Connole ed@allfm.org

It’s true, it’s true. The end has happened, the Mayans were right.

The Mainstream has ended!

From way back when, the 19th of March 2009 Kev and Bex brought you: Pet Corner, Style File, Eye on TV, The Cultural Sector, Movies With Mother the rumble from the concrete jungle and the line from the cable grapevine.

In 2011 allfm had ‘a bit of Kev and Laurie‘ until the 22nd December 2012 with features including, but certainly not limited to: Leonard or Leonard?, In Your Bed, MorrisSez, Ukulele Tune of The Fortnight, Cormac In The Community and The Saturday Lion.

So after 182ish hours of bibble, babble, shouting and nonsense, we’re leaving your alternate Saturday mornings on the mighty allfm 96.9.

As the old adage goes; all good things come to an end, please don’t cry, but do keep your eye on the allfm blog for what’ll be coming in the new year.

We’ll try and get as many shows from the past up to be preserved for ALL OF TIME!
at The Mainstream Museum. For visual goodness, clicky here for videos of Mainstream sessions from Gideon Conn, Tracey Browne, Lou Armer and Jim The Schoolgirl.

Have a verry Merry Festmas from Kev, Laurie and ALL of the Mainstream Team X

Our very own Yasmin has landed her dream job at BBC 1Xtra!

Years of studying and broadcasting has paid off and we’re all  terribly proud of young Miss Evans.

It goes to show that hard work and being nice pays.

We’d all like to wish her well in her broadcast career.

Full story on the BBC

World music from Manchester’s diverse communities and beyond…

Manchester’s third Cultural Collage World Music Festival will take place in venues across the city centre between Thursday 10th and Saturday 20th May 2012.

The Cultural Collage World Music Festival is the only Manchester event to promote professional world music from the city’s diverse communities. It was started in 2010 by a voluntary group comprising local world music radio producers, promoters and performers, attracting around 8,000 attendees to its first programme of events.

The programme has included performers from around the globe, including DR Congo, Bulgaria, Jamaica, the Gambia, Argentina, Brazil, India and many other countries and has also included dance workshops and world DJ nights.

Celebrating diversity, music and arts in beautiful North Wales

At the end of February 2012 an exciting new training scheme will launch at BBC MediaCityUK and if you are over 18 with a great knowledge of your community, an interest in storytelling and a passion for journalism we want you to be involved!

The BBC 2012 Community Reporters scheme is giving budding reporters the chance to receive training in all aspects of journalism and then work with journalists and programme makers to develop, pitch and produce radio and television content for potential broadcast on BBC North West News, BBC Radio Manchester  and also working with teams in 5Live News and 5Live Sport.

For further information click here.

Good luck!

Are you looking for low cost affordable office space  in Levenshulme?

ALL FM has a  furnished office  approximately one hundred square foot with 24 hour access in a friendly environmen?.

For only £40/week including utilities.

If you’re interested please email ed@allfm.org or call 0161 248 6888

Do you want to improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills?

Well now’s your chance!

Starting in November at various places in Manchester including ALL FM, you’ll have the opportunity to learn or improve your English; speaking, reading and writing.

Classes are free, but you must be a Manchester resident.

To join the ALL FM course you’ll need to sign up on the 16th November between 12 and 3 pm.

Classes will take place once a week from November till July. Each class is three hours long and by the end of the course  your English speaking, writing and reading will be much improved.

Enrolment will take place during class times from 14 November 2011 but learners will be able to enrol on the classes if there are spaces at any point during the year.

Teaching starts the week of 21 November. Classes will run during term time and finish in July 2012.

For more information please call Nuala on: 0161 254 7447.

Or if you want to learn at ALL FM call: 0161 248 6888 or email ed@allfm.org

Below are the details for the other venues.

This project is supported Manchester City Council, Manchester Adult Education Service and Manchester College.

Saturday 10th September  1pm – 5pm: Northmoor All Together Community Event 

Outside Broadcast live at Crowcroft Park:

Live music in the park, fun fair, bouncy castle, face painting, food, drum workshop, make your own instruments, information stalls, giant games and a record sale.

11am to 1pm – Trash to Treasure litter pick.
Swap a bag of litter for a reward!

For more information contact Sarah Riley on 07929651447

Interested in advertising on ‘The Real Voice of Manchester?’

You can now get 99 plays of your advert for only £99 (including breakfast and drivetime) with free advert production included.

For more details email: ed@allfm.org

Or call Ed  on: 0161 248 6888

Click here for our first Volunteer Steering Group Newsletter: July 2011 VSG Newsletter

To listen live turn your dial to 96.9 FM or click LISTEN NOW

Or to catchup click: LISTEN AGAIN

Sir Gerald Kaufman attends Summer Fete

The Labour MP for Gorton attends Summer Fete in aid of ALLFM and commends the station on its ‘community spirit’.
Sir Gerald Kaufman, the Labour MP for Gorton, honoured the Summer Fete with his guest attendance and spoke to representatives from the station and members of the local community.

ALL FM (96.9) was proud to welcome the MP to the Klondyke Club, Burnage Range, where there was live music, market stalls and fun kids’ activities for everyone to enjoy.

Here he was able to see firsthand the station’s close relationship with people from thriving diverse local and business communities that distinguish the station as a voice of the area.

Speaking on the day, Sir Gerlard commented: “It was great go along and see the community spirit represented so well by the ALL FM and all who work there. “This is reflected in its broad and diverse audience and proves it is something worth defending for in the face of harsh government budget cuts.”

ALL FM (96.9) has a listener audience of seven per cent in Greater Manchester (14,000 regular listeners) and is presented by a team of dedicated volunteers, broadcasting shows in English, Farsi, Urdu and Polish to provide a voice for as many members of the community as it can.

Station Manager Ed Connole thanked Sir Gerald for the visit and congratulated everyone who contributed on the big day. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sir Gerald Kaufman and everyone who volunteered to help bring this event together. It could not have been such a success without you.”

The station provides training for all of its volunteers, whether young or old, working with some of the most vulnerable, including young people at risk of exclusion, adults with mental heath issues, and adults with learning difficulties.

Many of our volunteers are unemployed and the experience they get from ALL FM gives them skills they can use to gain employment and as a result many of our presenters have gone on to work for local and national broadcasters.

Contact details:
For more information, please contact info@allfm.org

Notes to Editors:
ALL FM is a community radio station broadcasting to South, Central and East Manchester 24 hours a day from our studios in Levenshulme.

Our output is almost entirely volunteer-led, with a small team of staff to run the studios and manage our community projects.

A “something for everyone” approach aims to reflect the diversity found in the local community, and we strive to deliver varied, distinctive community radio for our listeners.

We have debates, discussions, radio plays, live bands/artists, comedy and news programming in a variety of languages… and much more besides!

Turn your dial to 96.9 FM

To listen live click LISTEN NOW or to catchup, click LISTEN AGAIN

ALLFM’s Intergenerational Radio Project was part of the successful Manchester Generations Together bid.

The bid for this particular project had been submitted on behalf of the North West District Partnership Panel (Children’s Services). A multi-agency steering group was formed to oversee the project and they met on a monthly basis.

The aim of the Generations Together programme (co-ordinated by Manchester City Council’s Valuing Older People Team) was to break down barriers between young people and older people and the wider community through the development of intergenerational practice.

Have a look through the ALLFM_Intergenerational_Radio_Project_Report to see how we got on.

To see what other projects around Manchester were involved in Generations Together, go to Manchester City Council’s website.