In the recent weeks of England’s third national lockdown amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 14-year-old Chorlton High School pupil Rob has been lending a hand at his town’s local foodbank to do all that he can to help feed some of the most vulnerable people in his wider community at a time when they truly need it more than ever.
The Year 10 student has not only been praised by the foodbank’s owners and those who know him, but also by hundreds of members of the Greater Manchester public too after he took it upon himself to put together some food parcels for families and individuals assisted in need.
Rob has collected food donations from his neighbours in West Didsbury, and from his Grandparents neighbours in Heaton Chapel too.
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In total, this “amazing young man” has put together 40 pre-packed and ready-to-go food parcels.
Barakah Food Aid’s social media post shining a light on Rob’s incredible efforts last week has since received an overwhelmingly positive response, with hundreds of interactions and shares helping to spread the word, as well as comments from people commending his selflessness and expressing how wonderful it is to see the community’s young people striving to make a difference.
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He has been named “a credit to himself, his school and his community”, an “absolute superstar”, and “a remarkable young man” all by members of the public choosing to pile on the praise.
Chorlton High School also commented: “Well done Robert. Very proud to have one of our own making a difference in the community.
“Keep up the good work everyone.”
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And Barakah Food Aid owner Manzoor Ali was keen to say a special thank you to Rob “and all those who’ve supported you in this”.
Barakah Food Aid was established in 2009 by husband and wife duo, Manzoor and Aiysha Ali, alongside their three children, Asim, Zahra and Abdul-Rehman, and was set up “to help those in need of food in our local communities”.
Manzoor and Aiysha were first the friendly faces behind former curry business Barakah Foods – which was launched from their own kitchen in Whalley Range, before going from strength to strength and eventually moving into its own premises on Barlow Moor Road in Chorlton – with Barakah Food Aid being launched alongside the business to help Manchester’s homeless and those living on the breadline.
But in August of 2018, the family decided to bid a fond farewell to their food business in order to put their full focus on their community work.
Barakah Food Aid may be based in South Manchester, but it is “willing to assist wherever we can”.
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And this is a sentiment that has never been more powerful than over the past 11 months of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, where ongoing restrictions, sector closures and subsequent economic struggles have meant that more people have relied on, or required the use of foodbanks than ever before.
A report by charity The Trussell Trust – which runs a network of 1,300 foodbank centres across the UK – last November confirmed a 47% increase in support needed during the pandemic, with a record 1.2 million emergency food parcels being handed out in the first six months.
From April to September of 2020, more than 470,000 of the food parcels were delivered to children, which on average came to around 2,600 every day.
“We don’t do what we do for any attention in anyway.” Manzoor Ali tells us.
“But if what we do encourages others to lookout for their neighbours, then that’s our job done.
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“It’s been a difficult 11yrs+ of doing what we do, but the last year has been off the scale, and mentally it’s really tested us [so] we feel so mush for those with diagnosed mental health issues and we can’t begin to imagine what they’re going through.”
He continued: “As a group, we sometimes feel that we’re part of the problem, but we want to be part of the success, and success will only be acknowledged when we our service is no longer needed [and] when foodbanks are shut.
“Until then, it feels like we’re just not doing enough, and much more needs to be done in order to bring foodbank numbers down.
“A society where registered foodbanks outnumber McDonalds restaurants, is a society that’s failing.”
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Can you help Barakah Food Aid help the local community by donating non-perishable food items, or even your volunteer time?
You can call 07506 527523, or email [email protected] to find out more.
And don’t forget to keep up to date with all of the latest Barakah Food Aid updates throughout the duration of lockdown and beyond on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well.
Feature
Mercury Prize 2026 review: RAYE takes home the crown as Newcastle celebrates the very best in music
Clementine Hall
One of the biggest nights in music kicked off last night as the Mercury Prize 2026 was awarded.
If there was ever a night to fall head over heels in love with British and Irish music, the 2026 Mercury Prize made a very convincing case.
Bringing together some of the country’s most exciting artists under one roof in Newcastle, this year’s ceremony was a reminder of just how much talent is packed into the current music scene.
From established legends to the names shaping what comes next, it was an absolute belter.
Images: Audio North
Held at the Newcastle Utilita Arena for the second year running, I think everybody in that room felt very lucky to be there to see firsthand who took home the coveted prize.
The shortlist brought together an impressive mix of artists, with Florence + The Machine, Olivia Dean, JADE, Suede, Pulp, Dave and Sir Paul McCartney among the big names making the lineup very star studded indeed.
Suede kicked things off with ‘Dancing With The Europeans’, bringing their unmistakable energy to the ceremony, while Pulp delivered ‘Begging For Change’ as part of the HELP(2) charity compilation.
It was a line-up that demonstrated the sheer range of music being made across the UK and Ireland, from contemporary pop to established rock and even jungle thanks to Bradford’s own Nia Archives.
And of course, there was one woman who had every reason to leave with a smile on her face.
RAYE took home the coveted Mercury Prize for THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., an ambitious, genre-hopping album that blends jazz, soul, R&B and classical influences into something so fabulously unique.
Image: Audio North
Newcastle’s own Knats performance was definitely a highlight of the evening, combining slick jazz with spoken-word poetry against a projection of The Tyne Bridge.
A fitting image, and one that underlines the importance of holding such huge events in the north and highlighting the obvious talent that thrives here.
The 2026 Mercury Prize was a brilliant showcase of the country’s music at its best.
And with RAYE taking home the trophy, it’s clear there is plenty of ‘hope’ left in British music.
The most magical Christmas displays have now landed at one of the North West’s best garden centres
Emily Sergeant
Christmas has officially arrived at one of the best garden centres in the North West, and it’s just as magical as you’d hope it would be.
Just outside of Greater Manchester in the village of Glazebury in Warrington, you’ll find Bents Garden and Home – a multi award-winning destination garden centre that’s often voted one of the region’s best. It’s great place to visit all year round, but as anyone who has ever made the trip there will tell you, this place really comes alive during the festive season.
Bents first started out life all the way back in 1937, when Alfred and Margaret Bent began growing and selling roses in the front garden of their terraced house in Glazebury.
Ever since then, the business has gone from strength to strength – opening its first dedicated garden centre building in the early 1950s, and then undergoing several expansions in the 60 years that followed to create the place we know and love today.
A place that’s home to everything you need to kit out your home and garden, several cafes and restaurants, a food hall, a cook shop, a children’s boutique, and plenty more.
Christmas has arrived at Bents Garden and Home for 2026 / Credit: The Manc Group
And then at Christmas time, you can also get to wander around all the magical festive displays and stop for a bite to eat at the winter food markets.
Christmas at Bents originally began in the 1970s, establishing what would become one of the garden centre’s most successful – and favourite – times of the year, with people travelling in their thousands from all across the North West to visit, making it an annual tradition in the festive events calendar for many families.
With a jaw-dropping display to suit everyone’s festive decor tastes, Christmas at Bents really does need to be seen to be believed.
Expertly decorated trees form the centrepiece of each display, with all the baubles and decorations adorning them for sale by the side for you to recreate yourself at home.
Walking around the centre, you’ll also find every type of artificial tree (both normal and pre-lit), an array of fairy lights, wreaths, and garlands, before you arrive at what is sure to be one of the best Christmas Lemax Model Village set-ups you’ve probably ever seen.
A trip to Bents is an annual festive tradition for thousands across the North West / Credit: The Manc Group
Then, once you’ve filled your basket up with all the decs you need, you have to stop off at the Winter Food Markets before you head home.
There’s a wide array of different street food options to choose from like bratwursts, giant filled Yorkshire puddings, loaded fries, nachos, mac and cheese, crepes, churros, and build-your-own crumble, before taking a pew in one of the little wooden huts and washing it all down with festive-themed hot chocolates and mulled wine.
Don’t forget to stop off at the food hall, farm shop, and deli counters to stock up on plenty of goodies there before you leave too.
Basically, if you’ve never been to Bents before, we honestly cannot recommend it enough – even more so during Christmas time.
Don’t forget to stop off at the Winter Food Markets before heading home / Credit: The Manc Group
But it is really important to note that it does get very busy here, especially on weekends and at peak times like the run up to Christmas.
So you may have to be prepared to patiently wait for parking spaces and cooperate with your fellow shoppers, as well as join queues at the cafes and restaurants, all while respecting the hard-working staff at all times.
Let’s be as respectful as possible, and make this a place where everyone can enjoy a magical festive experience in 2026.
Emily Sergeant -
17th February 2021 
