Community Hub
Wythenshawe Forum Trust works with local area partners to develop initiatives such as the annual Wythenshawe Games, Wythenshawe Youth Alliance, and Age Friendly Wythenshawe networking and events.
Cultural
Forum Library is one of the Manchester Libraries cultural hubs and hosts programmes of events alongside its regular library provision, such as music, contemporary dance and theatre, interactive science, and artistic festivals.
Events
The Forum’s flexible spaces are used for a variety of community events. These have included craft fairs, health information events, jobs fairs, comic conventions and other annual celebrations such as International Women’s Day.
An Active Community
More than 1,100 young people are enrolled on weekly swimming lessons. Dementia Friendly swimming provides one-to-one support if required, to boost confidence and help patrons retain water skills and fitness. Wythenshawe Amateur Swimming Club meets three times per week at the Forum and has seen several members progress through to regional competitive swimming.
Leisure provision is accredited by relevant organisations such as Quest for the leisure sector and is part of MCRactive – the city-wide organisation responsible for driving sport and physical activity across Manchester, inspiring and encouraging everyone to lead a more active and healthier lifestyle.
The Prehab4Cancer and Recovery programme is offered in partnership with GM Cancer and GM Active, a collective of twelve leisure and community organisations from across Greater Manchester, whose aim is to get more people physically active.
Free weekly sessions with a prehab specialist prepare people physically and mentally for their cancer treatment. It also supports recovery from treatment and life-long changes for overall improved health and wellbeing.
The Forum invests in initiatives that help the community to become more active and to improve health and wellbeing.
Walking football was introduced for people who need a gentle introduction to a regular exercise routine and now run two sessions each week.
Walking netball is also proving popular and both sports provide great social opportunities – supporting physical health and mental wellbeing too.
The integrated health and leisure services at the Forum form a wellbeing hub for Wythenshawe. Referrals can be made by health professionals – enabling patients to take advantage of physical activity programmes to aid recovery following illness or treatment, and to improve longer-term health.
Partnerships
Wythenshawe Forum Trust works with local area partners to develop initiatives such as the annual five-day Wythenshawe Games, Wythenshawe Youth Alliance, and Summersonic – a free sports and activities school holiday programme for 6 to 19-year olds – which started in Wythenshawe but now runs throughout Manchester.
Young People
The Saturday Night Project, provided in conjunction with City in the Community (Manchester City Football Club’s community and outreach division), is attended by more than 120 young people each week. They enjoy socialising and building self-confidence while acquiring social skills for their future.
More than 20 young people have completed coaching qualifications and some are now paid coaches or lifeguards working in Wythenshawe.
Age Friendly Network
The Forum has a lot to offer the over 50s – with leisure and age-appropriate fitness activities available at Forum Leisure, clubs and interest groups at Forum Library, short courses for self-improvement and employment at Forum Learning, plus many stage shows and sporting events at Forum Hall.
Health and wellbeing are further taken care of by Forum Pharmacy and Forum Health where residents can access GP practices, dental treatment and various specialist clinics.
Age Friendly Wythenshawe expands the opportunities on offer for older residents with a number of activities and events held at the Forum.
Forum Library has a weekly Age Friendly drop-in each Tuesday where visitors can find out about the range of services available and enjoy the opportunity to socialise, engage in activities, and use other facilities at the Forum Centre.
Large Scale Events
The Wythenshawe Games, which is held in the 280-acre Wythenshawe Park, saw more than 21,500 people taking part in sport and physical activity in 2019, with many more visiting the site’s other attractions, such as the Health zone and Under 5s activity area. The programme includes themed days such as disability, girls and women, and over 50s.
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