Despite the challenges created by the pandemic, The Nicky Alliance Centre is working hard in preparation for a May reopening.
As The Nicky Alliance Centre gears up to reopen its doors following its closure in 2020 and subsequent community fundraising campaign, the chief executive of the Manchester Jewish Community Care provider, Michelle Wiseman, is excited at the prospect of meeting members old and new: “Although we’ve maintained contact with our members throughout the pandemic we’ve missed the face-to-face contact, and I know they have too,” she said. “We have completely refurbished and redecorated our premises, including the lounge, dining room and toilet facilities to make sure everything is COVID compliant and that our members will be able to enjoy themselves and participate in all our activities in a perfectly comfortable and safe environment.”
Throughout the pandemic, Michelle, her staff and hard-working volunteers have kept in touch with the members and are routinely checking to ensure that they are all getting their vaccinations: “We are now preparing to visit all our members in their own homes as soon as it is safe to do so,” she continued. “We have kept in touch over the past 12 months by telephone and online, providing many members with laptops and tablets, along with the required training to use them.”
Prospective members will soon be welcome to visit to the centre and try a host of new initiatives and activities for a day to see exactly what the Crumpsall care provider offers retired members of the community: “The centre is now taking shape and looks brighter and fresher and we hope to attract many new members too.”
The Nicky’s dedicated volunteers have been involved preparing the art studio, planning activities and delivering meals – the team having distributed an impressive 1,500 Meals on Wheels a month – and members are raring to return: “We are determined to keep going and we’re nearly there thanks to the support of our dedicated team.”
For more information on the reopening, call 0161 740 0111 or visit Mjcc.org.uk