It’s been another busy period for everyone at The Fed! Take a look at what’s been going on.
On Wednesdays, Heathlands Villagers have been receiving some special visits from King David Primary School. Nick Burgess and Elaine Conolly from Heathlands Village’s activity team have been meeting the children at the main entrance and giving them a tour of our communal areas to start off each session. Many of the children are amazed to see Heathlands Village has its very own shul, shop, and hairdressers!
In a tradition that has been cherished for years, Year Five children come each week on their lunch break to chat with residents (with their lunch boxes in tow). Each week, a different group visits the Activity Centre, ensuring that all the children in the year get a chance to participate. The children love asking questions, and the atmosphere is always heartwarming; seeing the generations mix is truly priceless.
Tenants love the event, with one describing it as the highlight of their week and another saying: “It brings so much joy and it’s so special that the children give up their lunch breaks to come and talk to us.”
Raphi Bloom, The Fed’s Director of Fundraising, Marketing, and Communication, said: “We are so grateful for these wonderful interactions that bring so much joy to both the children and our residents and want to say a huge thank you to King David Primary School.”
In November, the children of The Fed’s Big Birthday Appeal Committee members spent the afternoon creating cards for the patients at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH), which will be delivered alongside the gifts as part of The Fed’s Chanukah-mas Toy Drive. The children also had the chance to visit the fundraising office and see the wonderful presents that have been bought by The Fed’s generous donors.
The toy drive brought in over 450 presents totalling £5,000! These gifts were specially selected for children with additional needs who attend The Fed’s Project Smile and Christmas presents for patients on two wards at the RMCH.
All the toys were selected either by The Fed’s social work team – so they are relevant to Project Smile clients – or suggested by the RMCH for their range of patients. These presents were wrapped by the Chanukah Maccabees – the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Programme participants.
Natasha Harries, The Fed’s Community Fundraiser and Events Planner, who has been championing the Chanukah-mas Toy Drive explained: “It was such a lovely event, and we have also been overwhelmed by the amazing response and everyone’s generosity with the toy drive.”
Following the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht in November, nine My Voice Holocaust Survivor Storytellers, their families, and the families of Storyteller Survivors who are no longer with us, gathered to announce the new educational partnership between My Voice and Manchester University. Also present were Manchester Metro Mayor, Andy Burnham; John Rylands Library Director Professor, Chris Pressler; Manchester University Vice Chancellor, Duncan Ivison; Fed Honorary Patron, Mark Adlestone OBE; My Voice project volunteers, educational partners, and colleagues from The Fed.
The event was also held to present additional My Voice books to the library and celebrate the publication of the first 29 My Voice books in both paperback and eBook format by Manchester University Press.
Manchester Metro Mayor Andy Burnham praised both The Fed’s My Voice project and the John Rylands Library for their new partnership and emphasised what a huge contribution it would make to Holocaust education across the North West.
The audience heard from 100-year-old survivor Marianne Phillips, who recounted her own experience of Kristallnacht, and conveyed how much fulfilment she gets from telling her story and having her My Voice book used in schools across the North West.
Sarah Fearne, the Head of History at Marple Hall High in Stockport, explained how she has re-written the Holocaust curriculum to integrate five of the My Voice Storybooks and the powerful impact it has had on hundreds of students.
Professor Chris Pressler spoke emotionally and eloquently about why this partnership means so much to him and how fitting it is that the My Voice project – which is about books – has found a partner in the John Rylands Library. These thoughts were echoed by Manchester University Vice Chancellor Duncan Ivison.