Manchester communities create new ways to keep buzzing under lockdown

Lockdown has been extremely tough for a lot of people, but a Manchester health and wellbeing service has helped residents stay connected, creative and healthy through the past few weeks with a range of community initiatives.

buzz Manchester Health & Wellbeing Service, which is part of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, has offered a diverse range of mental and physical wellbeing initiatives, from online exercise classes to activities for children.

buzz’s Physical Activity Referral Service (PARS) exercise tutors are known for delivering condition specific exercise classes within Manchester communities, specialising in helping people with cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases, amongst many more conditions.

Having moved online during lockdown, exercise videos on social media have offered two classes a day most weeks, from tai chi for coordination and relaxation to tailored strength and balance classes.

Neighbourhood health workers have also been busy helping to uplift Manchester communities, from teaming up with Manchester Urban Diggers to distribute mini kitchen garden kits, to delivering arts and crafts packs to children and helping local communities set up mutual aid groups.

And the service has also launched launched a COVID-19 Resource Hub, where you can find all the most relevant information around the  COVID-19 outbreak whether you’re looking for mental health support during the pandemic or links to essential information on the outbreak.

It’s all about helping Mancunians get through this challenging time, say the buzz team.

“Manchester residents are well known for pulling together and helping each other out in times of need, and that is exactly what I’ve seen going on over the past few months,” says Aron Moss from buzz Manchester.

“I’m so proud to be part of an organisation who work directly within the communities of Manchester, along with our amazing partners, and make a real difference to people’s lives.” 

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