buzz Manchester Health & Wellbeing Service’s Neighbourhood Health Workers are here for Manchester residents, whether you live in Moss Side, Harpurhey, Longsight or any other Manchester neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood Health Workers focus on helping local people to improve their own health and wellbeing by supporting them to set up projects around their interests. They also help connect isolated or lonely residents up with other local people in their neighbourhood.

Whalley Range resident Pauline says,
“I moved to Whalley Range just before the first lockdown. Volunteering was scuppered due to my age, so how could I get to know my new community? A contact in my neighbourhood suggested that I check out buzz Manchester Health & Wellbeing Service, an NHS service with a focus on community development. Laura, my local Neighbourhood Health Worker, helped me to discover loads of interesting activities to keep me busy despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

Laura brought me bags of materials so I could start making face coverings, I felt useful again and was proud to deliver the parcel of multicoloured face coverings to buzz a few weeks later. Laura also dropped off several bulb planting kits I was able to share with my neighbours. A neighbour’s grandson loved the grubby preparation and was so chuffed when his daffodils appeared! Again, it was Laura who introduced me to the Platt Hall In-between project and a whole new world opened to me. Through Zoom meetings, our multicultural group discussed varying antiques held in Platt Hall and learned about Manchester’s rich history.”

Some examples of projects that residents have been involved in, or set up, include guitar playing, creative writing, cooking, singing, walking mum’s groups and so many more! There’s something for everyone, whether you want to lead on your own community project and need some funding, or simply want to connect with a friendly local who can connect you with likeminded people near you, buzz Neighbourhood Health Workers want to hear from you! You can call, text, or email your local Neighbourhood Health Worker using the details here. You can also explore events, groups and projects in your neighbourhood using our interactive map here.

Pauline continues,
“I live in independent living housing, and my neighbours and I recently applied for some funding to get us started with some flower beds in our garden. Again, buzz came up trumps and at the start of 2022 approved our application. How fabulous is that?! My neighbours and I are eagerly looking forward to working together to get it all set up, then enjoying the fruits, sorry, flowers, of our labours.

None of this story would have happened without Laura from buzz Manchester. Despite all the difficulties of the past couple of years, I have been able to find new friends and make a reciprocal contribution in the local community. It doesn’t stop here, thank you buzz!”