News | Wednesday, 16th December 2020
University donates care and craft packages for children and older residents
Support for the local community over the festive period
Manchester Metropolitan is supporting its local community over the festive period by providing care packages for older residents and learning and craft packs for families.
The University has been working in collaboration with partners from across the community in Hulme to reach and support the most vulnerable over Christmas and during the pandemic.
With partners including Manchester South Foodbank, Buzz for Wellbeing, St Peter’s House and local councillors, the University created 80 care packages for vulnerable older people.
These included toiletries, baked goods, hats, scarfs, gloves, activity books, letters from local school children and information to support those experiencing social isolation as a result of COVID-19.
The University also created 100 craft packs for local families, distributed through Martenscroft Nursery School, to reach families who are neighbours to the University, and would benefit from creative resources over the festive period.
Josie Sykes, Community Engagement Manager at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “This December, we have continued to work with our partners across Hulme to reach and support the most vulnerable this winter.
“We have a strong relationship with neighbouring charities and groups, and we were very keen to help the community during this festive period and particularly because of the impact of the COVID pandemic.
“We wish all of our neighbours and community partners all the best for the holiday period and look forward to continuing to work with them in the new year.”
Debbie Keary, Head of Centres at Martenscroft Nursery School and Children's Centres, added: “On behalf of the children, families and staff team at Martenscroft Nursery School and Children's Centre we would like to thank everyone at the University for the wonderful creative bags.
“This will enable the children to have access to high quality resources and materials and support them to be creative in many different ways.
“We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful new year.”
Manchester Met catering staff and student officers at the Students’ Union also supported the project by volunteering to prepare both the care and craft packages. Craft packages included resources to support play and learning over the holiday period. Students are also donating food and toiletries to Manchester Central Foodbank.
The University catering team is also working with suppliers to donate goods to the Moss Side Powerhouse, where food and resources are distributed to projects across Hulme and Moss Side which support youth engagement.
