We need your help to continue to deliver support to Carers, the elderly and other vulnerable people that are relying on our help. We've used everything we have to continue to react quickly to provide connections, friendship and hope at a time when we all feel lost and confused - but imagine doing that all on your own unable to leave a one-bedroom flat. We will use these funds to buy tablets and provide connection to the internet for mainly over 55's who have never had the need to use it before. We will also continue to support young carers who love our creative sessions, which provides them with inspiration and respite whilst shielding vulnerable family members.

The feedback we've had has been incredible a lady living with dementia was rapidly deteriorating and the Scheme Manager was at her wits end trying to help her stay engaged and involved in activities. She asked if we could help in any way and we arranged some creative sessions over Zoom. The first session the lady lasted only 10 minutes before she became frustrated and gave up. But we persevered and the second session she stayed for the full hour, sang along to songs, painted a beautiful picture of a sunflower, she was full of smiles and enjoyed the company of the group. But most importantly she went for a short walk and then came back to the group and shared a lovely story of a local nurse who helped her local community during the war. She even talked about where she lived, hours earlier she couldn't remember where that was!

Another session, one of the young carers who'd wouldn't appear on camera asked one of the other members of the group to read out a poem she wrote. The whole group of young people, sat in their own homes on camera could sense this was a special moment and were all respectful and listened in silence and with their full attention. Half way through the poem, the young lady who had written it came on camera and fully joined in the session. It was a really special moment to witness in this young persons journey, watching her build in confidence and taking her place amongst her peers. This young lady is now taking an active part in developing the programme of activity and we have no doubt that she'll go from strength to strength.

With your help we can continue to provide support through regular tailored sessions which raise a smile, encourage people to share their stories and improves their mental wellbeing. Through a blend of nostalgia, arts, crafts and other creative involvement we take away the fear of technology, take happiness into their homes and help make the pandemic easier to confront. We will connect people back to their families, friends and local communities no matter how near or far they may be.

MancSpirit is a charity that harnesses Creativity and the Arts to inspire positive mental wellbeing. Since the Charity was formed the central theme has always been to create a safe space where people can access creativity and the Arts to encourage positive change in their lives. Thus Creative Change has become the foundation of a series of projects that expands and adapts to each social challenge we face in our beloved Greater Manchester.

In no way could we have predicted at the beginning that we'd be offering help and support in the midst of a Global Pandemic - but we quickly stepped up to the challenge and we continue to adapt to help in whatever way we can. We are a 'can do' organisation and we've built a reputation as a team that gets things done - bringing, humour, enthusiasm and positive energy into whatever we do.

We have continued to adapt and tailored a programme of remote sessions that supported some of our most vulnerable people in our communities, and with the your help, well expand this programme much further.

The two main projects that we've received a great deal of demand is with the young Carers, who we deliver inspirational and entertaining sessions too while they've been stuck in at home shielding at risk family members. But we've also been working with people living in over 55s accommodation to provide connection, improve digital inclusion and support people to improve mental wellbeing.

MancSpirit is Greater Manchester's Mental Wellbeing Charity we are committed to improve the mental health of those people who choose Greater Manchester as a home, for a career, for leisure or for learning.

MancSpirit is unashamedly Mancunian in Design and Delivery. We see being Mancunian as an attitude, not a birth-right, and we value those people and organisations that share our Vision of caring for others, helping those that help others, getting stuck in and getting things done but doing things the right way, by working with others and respecting their individuality.

MancSpirit is registered with the Charity Commission in the UK as a Charitable Incorporated Incorporation (CIO). No. 1184128

The charity is managed by 3 amazing Trustees who between them have extensive experience in in Business, in Start-ups, in Retail, in Tech, in Charity, in Voluntary activity and in Learning. We are registered to deliver services and represent all areas in Greater Manchester and we will work with local people in Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Thameside, Trafford, Wigan and all Manchester communities to offer a high quality service to all.