A new hub has opened at Red Bank – a site part of the Victoria North regeneration programme – that will help people with employment, training and digital access.
The Victoria North Community Hub has been set up by BAM Nuttall and Arup – the contractor working on the Red Bank phase of the regeneration project as part of their social value commitment to the developments.
The City Council has developed a programme of support to help residents in north Manchester, alongside a range of support sessions run by a host of Manchester-based voluntary organisations.
Victoria North is one of the largest regeneration schemes in the UK and the Community Hub aims to demonstrate how projects such as this can be delivered in an inclusive way and positively impact local communities.
BAM Nuttall and Arup are providing the hub with access to laptops and free wi-fi, to allow residents to search for jobs, get support with applications and find training opportunities, as well as to access housing and income advice.
On-site staff will also provide computer literacy support – and the hub will be used to advertise job roles available as part of the Victoria North regeneration programme, and wider employment opportunities in the contractor supply chain.
Yes Manchester CIO will deliver the programme of support for residents. The organisation works to relieve unemployment and poverty, and provides supportive, whole-person information, advice, and guidance for unemployed and under-employed individuals – or someone who has a job but is still reliant on benefits.
Yes Manchester will be based at the hub on Fridays from 9.30 to 2pm.
The First Asian Support Trust (FAST) will also run support sessions from the hub every Tuesday 10 to 3pm.
Discussions are ongoing with other community groups, including North Manchester Community Partnerships (NMCP) to use the space, and the Council’s Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES) could also locate sessions at the hub.
The hub will be open to residents during pre-planned sessions with community organisations rather than on a drop-in basis.
Community groups interested in holding support sessions at the hub can contact Bam Nuttall, by emailing VictoriaNorthProject@bamnuttall.co.uk
The space will be available until Spring 2024
