Our younger neighbours bring so much to our community network, so in this month's blog we shine a spotlight on some star volunteers from across our programmes. We chatted to Matt (32), Jaimie (28) and Jenny (36) about what getting involved in Social Clubs, Love Your Neighbour and Fundraising means to them, and why they’d recommend volunteering with Manchester Cares to their friends.

We invited avid Manchester United fans Marie (80) and Eleanor (26) to watch their beloved team play Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Marie and Eleanor met for the first time on match day, and were soon to find they had a lot in common.

The seasons are changing, and so is our approach to outreach. 

During the last six months, we’ve all felt loneliness. We’ve not been able to embrace loved ones, celebrate birthdays or dance at weddings. We’ve not been allowed to grieve at funerals, visit care homes or even share a smile with a stranger from behind a mask. These restrictions have affected older and younger people alike – but we know that many older people in our community have found them particularly hard. 

As further restrictions are put in place to curb the threat of coronavirus, we will be adapting our outreach to help better connect our communities.

Lockdown may have caused distance in many ways, however the blossoming friendship between Liverpool and Manchester neighbours has gone from strength to strength.