Latest News and Blog

Tonight sees Darren Poyzner return to the stage at Levenshulme Inspire for ’25 Years of Love and Hat’. Tickets are £5. Bar opens at 6.30pm, 7.30pm for live music.

A week of fun, inspirational, activities have been organised by local women for local women to celebrate International Women’s Week (IWW), which runs from 5th -9th March. The celebrations are the brainchild of local resident Fiona Smith, who has been working up the programme with help from a small group of Levenshulme women since October.

Free daytime sessions include a singing workshop, belly-dancing classes, conflict resolution, mind-mapping and a huge free lunch for local women on International Women’s Day itself – Thursday 8th March. In the evenings, there will also be a ‘Inspirational Women: Experiences and Poetry’ Open Mic Night on Wednesday 7th March, a free screening of the French film ‘Potiche’ on Thursday 8th March, and local women’s music group ‘The Woo Hoos Two’ playing on Friday 9th March. All activities take place at Inspire. The week has been supported by Great Places Housing Group and a grant from Manchester City Council.

For the full programme, please click the link below.
International Women’s Week in Levenshulme

Good practice in working with children, parents and families
A one day workshop examining the comprehensive assessment of child development, attachment and parenting practices using a combination of theory and reflexive exercises to develop skills.

Friday, 20th April, 2012 – 9:30am – 4:30pm

Speaker(s):
Dr Iyabo Fatimilehin, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Dr Ruth O’Shaughnessy, Clinical Psychologist

Aims of the day are to:

Critically explore cultural assumptions and values underpinning parenting and child development in western and non-western societies

Introduce delegates to the assessment of attachment and caregiving practices across cultures

Consider good practice in the assessment of risk and safeguarding issues in work with BME families

Suitable for: Clinical psychologists, educational psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health practitioners, social workers, and other health and social care professionals working with children and families. Trainees are also very welcome.

Lunch will be provided.

Costs: £150 full rate; £100 for students, trainees & third sector organisations

For more information or for a Application form please visit http://www.justpsychology.co.uk/events/april12

Levenshulme Film Club brings you “Inception” – In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job to date: Inception. 12A. 148 mins (Approx)

NEW FILM MEAL DEAL: Panini/Pizza, Wedges & Salad plus a glass of wine/bottle of beer/Hot drink all included with the ticket Price!

Cost: £7.50 per person. Meal Deal from 6pm – 7.30pm, film begins at 7.30pm. Drinks available afterwards.

Natural Alchemy
Earth – Water – Fire – Air

Working with the natural resources of the body and mind to bring about inner transformation and healing.

Gentle bodywork, meditation, art, music and sound, conscious intention and awareness, spiritual community – All combine to provide a harmonious and conducive environment for you to experience a deep connection with yourself and others.

All Welcome, no experience necessary as full instruction and guidance will be given. Bring lunch to share.

Saturday 11th February 2012, 10am – 5pm.
£25

For bookings and information please call 07809612684 or e-mail info@naturalmindnow.co.uk

WWW.NATURALMINDNOW.CO.UK

Interactive Singing and Music Fun Classes for toddlers here at Inspire.

There will be a Free taster session on 29th February and then regular sessions every following Wednesday

11am – 12noon for baby group (3-18 months)
12noon – 1pm for Toddler session (18 months plus)

£5 per session or £4 if block booked.

Please call Jo on 07723 347993 or visit www.manchesterminimusicmakers.co.uk

Here is a report from organiser Phil Frampton on the Inspire Forum Ideas Night held on 17th January. If you would like to get in touch with Phil, please e-mail him on phil@philframpton.co.uk.

Thank you to all those who participated in the very productive Inspire meetings on Tuesday night.
Thanks especially to Stacey Coughlin from Bankley Studios who put the Spotlight on Art in Levenshulme.
Ideas Night came up with several proposals, in particular:
Events around the Olympic Torch and procession passing by Inspire on Sunday, June 24th (this date is within Co-operatives Fortnight and could be promoted as part of our contribution both to the fortnight and to the International year of Co-operatives). Matthew Duggan who is based at the Centre has agreed to call a meeting to discuss how we make this a reality. Do contact Matthew or myself if you have any ideas.
Following the success of the Centre’s first Murder Mystery Night – Beryl Cowan agreed that her troupe would look to put on another night in the June/July period at the Centre.
Freddi Greenmantle proposed and has begun to establish “keep fit for the over-sixties” chair-based sessions at Inspire. If you or any of your acquaintances wish to assist Freddi in this, please contact Kate or myself at the Centre.
The issue of setting up local sign language classes was discussed and Sue Dixon volunteered to assist with this. It was also reported that, arising from previous Ideas Nights, a Youth Club will begin at the Centre next week.
Phil reported on the Inspire Multiplier Fund http://www.lev-inspire.org.uk/2011/12/help-from-inspire-to-make-that-idea-a-reality-in-2012/ which can be applied for in order to help make these schemes a reality.
Inspire Forum included several aspects:
Annual General Meeting. It was announced that the AGM will be at 8.15pm on April 18th and preceded by an Ideas Night at 7pm. The AGM will take reports from the officers and elect a new Board composed of Inspire Forum members. The aim of the Board is to secure a new Board composed of Directors able to play an active role in the development of the Forum as a vibrant co-operative. The AGM can also elect 3 representatives to sit on the Inspire Centre management Board.
Membership Campaign and Steering Group. It was announced that the new membership leaflet is being prepared, and new Membership details. Membership will be open to all those who have or will buy a minimum of £5 Community Shares. There will also be a of £10 per year to retain membership. However new members will be required to pay a fee of just £5 for their first year. These fees will be used to finance the administration of the co-operative and build up its independent financial basis.
As part of the campaign a new flier is currently being produced.
It was agreed to establish a Membership Campaign Steering Group. Initial contact will be be via an email group; the initial members are – Sue Dixon, Sarah Riley, Peter Naughton and myself. Please let the above or myself know if you are interested in assisting with the group.
Sue who works at Bubble kindly agreed to set up a Centre Recruitment Team to ensure that as many people who visit the centre for any reason join the Inspire Forum.
It was also suggested that we take to the streets to recruit and that we look to getting as many organisations and businesses to become members allowing them to express their support for Inspire but also raising the Forum and Centre’s profile.

Wednesday 25th January 2012, 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Bubble Entrepreneurs Network continues to support development of business ideas, businesses, share good practice, create promotion and marketing opportunities and provides the opportunity to support one another.
It is help for young businesses and those thinking about starting a business, from those who’ve been there and done it and experienced business entrepreneurs. This month’s network meeting will feature….

Guest Speaker: Alex Hough (Nimble Media)

Music For Hard Times @ Inspire

Friday 24th February 2012
Time: 7.30

Cost on the door: £3.50+ as contributions to the Inspire Multiplier Fund

The 13-piece ethno-classical Hard Times Orkestar is joined by its 6-piece klezmer offshoot, the Hard Times Kapelye, in this musical fund-raiser for the Inspire Multiplier Fund. The Manchester-based Hard Times Orkestar was founded a decade ago by a group of colleagues, neighbours and friends. Dusting down their neglected instruments and musical skills, they play the Balkan- and classically-influenced music wriiten by West Point’s Richard Fay. The orkestar has a tradition of playing in (former) churches and is delighted to be now playing locally and supporting the community activities of Inspire.

Yes thats right, George is back once again to bring you another amazing night here at Inspire!

Local legend George Borowski returns to the stage with his band the Fabulous Wonderfuls at Inspire on Thursday 23rd February,7.30pm – 11pm.

Cost: £5 per ticket in Advance or £7 on the night.
For more information please call Inspire on 0161 850 5717.

Cafe will be open to serve food and drinks on the night.

Quotes from fellow musicians and respected industry professionals:

“I have never seen a rock ‘n roll performer so completely connected with what he was doing on stage” – Frank Black (Pixies)