Mancunian Way is a charity that works across Greater Manchester on many projects that support local people to improve their own lives now and into the future. From homeless individuals that need support to find accommodation and employment opportunities, to providing help and reform for young people with a history of antisocial behaviour.
Mancunian Way kept all projects up and running until the government lockdown came into place and the team had to suspend all work. The charity made the decision to furlough staff using the government’s Job Retention Scheme and has topped up their income so they receive 100%, as well as guaranteeing all jobs for the future.
But what to do with your time when you are stuck at home and are a naturally caring and compassionate person who just wants to help? A question that the charity’s founder, Nick Buckley, found himself asking.
Mancunian Way partnered up with social enterprise The Big Initiative to offer all staff and volunteers free online training courses that are directly related to the work the charity does across Greater Manchester.
Staff may be furloughed now, but they will be back in work soon and through this partnership have been given access to training, and will have increased their knowledge on important topics and ultimately will be in a better position to understand and find solutions for some of the most vulnerable individuals in society.
Over 100 online courses have been completed by Mancunian Way staff, including Effective Homeworking, ADHD, Domestic Abuse, Depression & Suicide, and even a bespoke course on Covid-19.
Nick Buckley MBE, CEO and Founder at Mancunian Way, said: “My initial priority was protecting staff from the virus but also from financial loss, but my second priority was how can we turn this situation into a positive opportunity. By working with The Big Initiative we’ve been able to invest in our staff’s own development and will come out of the other side with a more productive and knowledgeable team ready to continue helping the most in need in our society.”
Verity Higham, Principal Manager at Mancunian Way, added: “On an average week I have little time to focus on my professional development, as a small charity it is imperative that your focus is on the vulnerable person sat in front of you. But the last few weeks I have had the time to explore new topics and educate myself on new issues so I can offer a better service when the lockdown is over. I feel more confident that I can help more people due to a wider range of knowledge.”
The Big Initiative is a global social enterprise designed to support people with resources designed to educate, empower and inspire. With leading experts collaborating to provide content-based online resources free of charge for the greater good.
This includes preventative resources for young people on the real issues they face ensuring each young person can make better choices in life. Adult well-being resources centred around an individual, personal lifestyle focusing on improving their mental health, and parental resources crafted by leading practitioners to support a parent with the challenges of raising a child in modern-day society.
Neil Degg, CEO of The Big Initiative and The Training Hub, added: “Every person in life is amazing. From birth, they are a sponge for their environment. We have to ensure that they have hopes and opportunities, along with an education that is delivered in a way which not only inspires but also aspires. We also have to understand that each person is very much unique. I believe that every person with the right education and consistency can reach their potential.”
The Big Initiative was created in 2014 by the founders of The Training Hub which is a global provider of ground-breaking vocational online training resources across multiple sectors. The Training Hub’s commitment to The Big Initiative is to provide 40% of its revenue to ensure the scope of resources available is always evolving to ensure full support is provided to every individual on the planet.
