Local food banks, warm hubs and other support available near you.

Winter services guide - Didsbury, Chorlton Park and Burnage

Image of the cover of the winter booklet. The covr is orange with black and white text.

Winter Didsbury, Chorlton Park and Burnage

Please note: This guide is from Winter 2022. New advice will be available shortly.

We know this Winter will be hard with the cost of living crisis, but there is lots of support out there locally if you do need it. To help local people, Manchester Local Care Organisation’s integrated neighbourhood teams across the city have worked with colleagues at Manchester City Council and the voluntary sector to produce a series of neighbourhood service guides .

The guides outline much of the local support that is available across each neighbourhood. These include food banks, warm hubs, befriending services and other local offers.

The guides complement the citywide support available through Manchester City Council’s free cost of living advice line. This free telephone line offers support with benefits and help with your rent, advice about debt and paying bills , food support and help to get online (support to access the internet, laptops, phones and data). The advice line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm on 0800 023 2692. You can speak to someone about the support that is available. You can also text on 07860 022 876 or visit manchester.gov.uk/coladvice

View the information in the categories below or you can download the PDF booklet for Didsbury, Chorlton Park and Burnage here [PDF approx 3.5MB].

Food banks and essentials

Chorlton and Didsbury Foodbank – Provides food parcels to families and individuals. Referral required from an agent such as a Housing Association, Citizens Advice or Social Worker/Prescriber.

  • Christ Church, Darley Ave, West Didsbury M20 2ZD St Barnabas, Chorlton M21 8DH
  • Drop in service on Wednesdays 11am to 12.30pm at Christ Church and Fridays 12.30 to 2pm at St Barnabas
  • Delivery Only service for people with mobility issues and large families on Tuesdays 1.30 to 3pm
  • Find out more at www.chorltondidsbury.foodbank.org.uk

Emmeline’s Pantry – A charity run by women for women in need, ensuring they are provided with the best possible support. Emmeline’s Pantry helps women and their families access the things they need most, including food, toiletries, baby equipment and clothes. A referral can be made to the Food Bank by any registered professional for service users who have no money to buy food, clothes, toiletries, cleaning products or baby items. A referral can be made to Food Pantry by any registered professional for service users who have less than £10 per adult and £5 per child per week for food (service is accessed by a set donation dependent on size of the family.)

Burnage Food Bank – Foodbank parcels with longlife food only. Toiletries and household items provided if available as well as signposting to other support. Referral is required and you will need a voucher code which can be accessed from your local Housing Association, school, GP or community centre. Once you have your voucher code take it along to:

  • Tuesdays 12.30 to 2.30pm at the Parish Hall St. Nicholas Church, Kingsway, M19 1PL
  • Fridays 3 to 5pm at Parish Rooms, St. Bernard’s Church, Burnage Lane M19 1DR
  • Email info@burnage.foodbank.org.uk for further information.

Community Grocery – £5 annual membership then £3 per shop. To sign up to be a member visit your nearest store (see website or call the number).

Quids In Food Clubs – Quids In offers members a variety of food worth around £15 for a £3 weekly membership fee. It’s for tenants of Southway Housing Trust living in the postcode area and in receipt of Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or Pension Credit. You can apply by emailing quidsin@southwayhousing.co.uk or call 0161 448 4200 and ask about joining Quids In. Individual clubs run at:

  • Brookfield Quids In Club – Thursdays 10.30am to 1pm at Brookfield House (white building in Chorlton Park, Nell Lane entrance), Nell Lane, Chorlton M21 7UD
  • Merseybank Quids In Club – Fridays 12pm to 3pm at the Pop Up Shop on Merseybank Shopping Parade, 42 Merseybank Avenue, Chorlton M21 7NN
  • Burnage East Quids In Club – Wednesdays 10.30am to 1pm at N-Gage Youth Centre, 345 Burnage Lane, Burnage M19 1EN
  • Burnage West Quids In Club – Wednesdays 10am – 1.30pm at Westcroft Community Centre, Westcroft Road, Burnage, M20 6EF.

The Bread and Butter Thing – Pay £7.50 for £35 worth of shopping. Text 07860 063304 with your full name, postcode and the name of the HUB you’ll be collecting from (see website for HUB locations)

The Den Café – Community café Monday-Weds offering breakfasts for children pre school (7am-10) and lunches (12-2) Snacks (2.30-4.30). Run by Merseybank Garden Group and funded by donations where possible for Chorlton Park residents or anyone who needs support.

  • Located at The Den Cafe, 40 Merseybank Avenue M21 7NN
  • Call 07851 454 612 for more information.

Financial and other advice

Neighbourhood Advice Service – Provides free face to face legal advice, advocacy and representation on housing, employment, debt and benefits. People must live in Chorlton Park, Didsbury or Burnage.

Southway’s Advice Services – Providing a service for Southway tenants with advice and information on welfare rights, debt advice, budgeting, energy and financial inclusion advice. Also digital inclusion (using the internet), employment and training support.

South Manchester Credit Union – A community based credit union that provides saving accounts and loans to the people of South Manchester.

  • Call 0161 448 0200 or look online at www.smcreditunion.co.uk/
  • Visit the union at 187 Fog Ln, Burnage M20 6FJ – open Mon, Tue, Thurs and Fri from 10am to 3pm

Manchester Credit Union

A member owned financial co-operative, providing an easy way to save and affordable loans when you need them. Open to everyone who lives or works in Manchester. All services are available online at www.manchestercreditunion.co.uk or you can also visit MCUs local branch:

  • City centre branch at Queen’s Court, 24 Queen Street M2 5HX – open Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm

Social and befriending groups

Barlow Moor Community Association – Barlow Moor Community Association provide a wide range of services including crisis support, a warm hub, health and wellbeing, food provision (including food parcels and lunches) and provisions for children and young people. Based on Merseybank and open to all.

  • Find out more at www.bmcaltd.co.uk, email rachel@barlowmoorca.co.uk, call 0161 446 4805 or WhatsApp 07760 117235
  • Located at Barlow Moor Community Centre, 23 Merseybank Avenue, Chorlton M21 7NT
  • Warm Hub on Mon, Weds, Thurs 9am -4pm; Tues 9-6.30pm and Friday 9am-2pm.

Burnage Good Neighbours – Burnage Good Neighbours provides opportunities for people who feel isolated to make new friends and feel part of their local community. They host a number of groups such as lunch club, art & crafts, health and fitness. They also offer a weekly ‘catch-up’ by phone, newsletters and referral services to help people who may be alone and isolated. Eligible to over 55 year olds. The team also offer volunteering opportunities for people wanting to support their services.

Didsbury Good Neighbours – Didsbury Good Neighbours is a local charity whose aim is to provide neighbourly support to older people. They do this through a volunteer befriending service, practical help and a programme of social activities. Winter activities include a Tuesday Coffee Morning followed by complimentary hot soup/stew and a Friday Film Club (also with stew/soup for all in the interval).

  • Located at Didsbury Good Neighbours, Didsbury Park M20 6WH
  • Coffee Mornings Tuesdays 10am to 12 noon (membership is required and applicants must be over 55 with a Manchester postcode)
  • Friday Film Club Friday’s 12:30 to 3/3:30pm (for members of the local community aged over 55 who have been referred by a professional agency, family member or have self referred)
  • Find out about membership, all the activities and services at www.didsburygoodneighbours.org.uk or call 07749 504298.

Chorlton Good Neighbours – Supporting adults, aged 65+ with visits, transport, odd jobs and social activities. There is also a parent and toddler group and a positive living group.

  • Chorlton Good Neighbours Care Group, Wilbraham St Ninians Church, Egerton Road South, M21 0XJ
  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9.30am to 12.30pm and Wednesday 12pm to 3pm
  • To join a group or refer someone, call 0161 881 2925 or email helen@chorltongoodneighbours.org

West Croft Community Association – Friendly Burnage based Community Centre offering a variety of courses, opportunities for volunteering and help getting into work as well as other services connecting people with the community. Services include Souper Chatty sessions where you can drop in for a warming bowl of soup, chat to the team, keep warm and make friends. You can also drop in for a brew on weekdays, take part in cooking together sessions, get employment support, attend Women’s Chillout and come to film club.

  • Located at 24-26 Westcroft Road, Burnage, M20 6EF
  • Souper Chatty sessions are on Thursdays 10am to 4pm
  • Drop in for a brew any weekday from 9am to 4pm
  • Eat, meet and greet sessions (chat, cooking and eating together) on Mondays 10am to 1.30pm
  • Find out more about all the activities and services at www.westcroftcommunitycentre.org, by emailing westcroftcommunitycentre@gmail.com or calling 0161 448 8232 for specific times.

Family support and activities

Healthy Child Drop In – A drop in session for advice from the health team, meet other people and an opportunity to have your child weighed.

  • Wednesdays 9:30 to 11am at Old Moat Lane, M20 1DE. Call on 0161 234 4711.

Baby Stay, Play and Learn – A safe place for babies and parents to explore, play and learn. Encouraging the development of early communication.

  • Wednesdays 9:30 to 11am at Old Moat Lane, M20 1DE. Call on 0161 234 4711.

Manchester Carers Forum – Peer support group for carers of adults who are experiencing substance misuse.

  • Every fourth Thursday of the month at Withington Methodist Church, 439 Wilmslow Rd, Withington, M20 4AN.
  • For more information or to join email Stephen@manchestercarersforum.org.uk or call 07494 097 568.

Under 5s story time – Weekly session for little ones and parents to listen to stories and get reading.

  • Wednesday 11am at Withington Library, 410 Wilmslow Road, Withington M20 3BN. Call 0161 227 3720

Local libraries and warm hubs

Didsbury Mosque Warm Hub – Didsbury Mosque offers a Warm Hub offering hot meals and hot drinks and free WiFi. It’s a place to relax, socialise and keep warm and is open to all.

  • Open 11am to 3pm Monday to Thursday from November to February
  • Didsbury Mosque & Islamic Centre, 271 Burton Road M20 1HN

St Barnabus Warm Hub – Warm space for people from the local community.

  • 10.45 to 1 pm every Friday
  • St Barnabas on the corner of Hurstville Road/Hardy Lane M21 8DH

Project CHA Women’s Health Group – Meets on Friday mornings in Burnage offering friendship health and wellbeing activities, information and healthy snacks. For Black and South Asian women aged 18+ living in Burnage, Chorlton Park and Didsbury.

  • Friday’s 10am to 12noon at Burnage Community Centre, Burnage Lane
  • Contact 07974 788 762 for information.

The Forum at Southern Gate – A cosy community space to enjoy a hot drink in a warm and welcoming environment. Books to swap and board games to play. For people who are tenants of Southway Housing.

  • Mondays 10am-1pm at Southern Gate, 729 Princess Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2LT

St Barnabas warm welcome coffee morning – Coffee morning and warm space for people from the local community.

  • 10.45 to 11.45 am every Friday including over Christmas
  • St Barnabas on the corner of Hurstville Road/Hardy Lane M21 8DH

Kingsburn Hall Warm Hub – A friendly space if you need to stay warm with wi-fi, tea, coffee, soup and a roll at no cost.

Chorlton Central Warm Hub – Warm food and company.

  • Thursdays 3:30pm to 6pm at Chorlton Central Church, Barlow Moor Rd M21 8BF