Fallowfield vs Coronavirus Mutual Aid Group

This project was set up to respond to any urgent support needs of the local community/people in Fallowfield during COVID-19.

Benefit of funding local projects

Identifying funding empowers communities to deliver the solutions they have designed. Research has shown that staff who can offer mediation, guidance and support in the funding application and project process are as important to community groups as receiving the funding itself. Staff who have a good knowledge of the area and who needs support, enable funding to be accessed by more marginalised people and groups. Funding sometimes needs to come from multiple sources and Neighbourhood Health Workers save time being able to quickly identify multiple potential sources.

Location

Fallowfield Ward

Project team

Partners include Fallowfield Ward Councillors, Neighbourhood Officers, Buzz, The Place, One Manchester housing, MLCO and residents of Fallowfield

Aim

Some of us first came together as part of the group organizing the “Love Fallowfield” event for Bethnall Drive Estate. When Covid 19 started we partnered with members of the Facebook group, Fallowfield vs Coronavirus, as well as The Place - realizing that we would need their support as one of the real focal points of the community.

We decided to apply for funding, buy food, make a leaflet to distribute to the community with phone numbers for support. The group supported the local community with food provision and other enquiries. Most recently there was a litter pick completed at The Place that was promoted through the Facebook site – Fallowfield vs Coronavirus.

The photos above outline the various steps we took in starting food provision in the local area – and the last photo is of the recent litter pick.

Evaluation

The project has brought together a group of people who will continue to work together to support their local community of Fallowfield. The group functioned well together. We learned that we could start a mutual aid project as in other parts of the UK. The group has now started to look at new ways of working and the ‘next step’ which looks like continuing as a mutual aid group that does not necessarily need to be particularly linked to paid employees and councillors.

Strategic links to local/national policies

Benefit	Policy
Empowerment	NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health, 2014) Healthy Lives, Healthy People (MH Government, 2010) Our Manchester Strategy
Communities engaged in the design and delivery of local services	Healthy Lives, Healthy People (MH Government, 2010) The Manchester Prevention Programme
Addressing inequalities	Fair Society, Healthy Lives (Institute of Health Equity, 2010) NHS Five Year Forward View (Department of Health, 2014)