Manchester

Chorlton community rallies around local family in need after heartwarming appeal

The family was inundated with offers of support after mum Lisa Cerven explained they had nothing in the cupboard

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 28th November 2022

A Manchester mum has been blown away by her local community’s kindness after posting an appeal on Facebook asking for help feeding her kids.

After her son’s Disability Living Allowance was changed, leaving the family waiting for a payment with nothing in the cupboards, Lisa Cerven took to the Chorlton M21 Facebook group to ask if anyone could donate some food to tide them over.

Starting by saying that she felt “very ashamed to be asking”, she continued to explain that her son’s DLA had been changed until next week – even though she was originally meant to be getting it this Tuesday.

She continued to say that she was planning to get “a nice big shop in” as both of her kids “eat a lot”, but as the result of her son being moved onto a new benefits system, they would now have to go without for another week.

Elaborating further, she said that “it has really really messed me up” and explained that she had “literally got nothing in”, adding: “if anyone has anything food wise spare I was hoping maybe you could help”.

The post continued: “My electric will be fine until Tuesday when I get £20 and we can cope with no gas for a while with blankets and stuff (please no hate).

“I have tried a few things and we got by until now but even if it’s just for my kids I don’t care about myself, anything will help.

“Again I’m terribly sorry for being cheeky, even any food banks that can deliver or are close to me that are open now, thank you.”

The post, first shared on Sunday, quickly saw locals pile into the comments section with offers of help.

Image: Facebook

From people running food banks offering to “send out whatever food you need”, to offers from locals to send a takeaway to the house and come by and drop off money for gas, Lisa has been inundated with support from all angles.

One person said: “Where about you are I will drop you some money for gas”

Another person said: “If you need anything I’m happy to help. Send a bit of money or take you do a little shop. xx”

A third added: “I can drop some fruit and veg off now if you message me”

A fourth said: “If it is any help I can transfer you some funds, it won’t be anything big but something enough for you to get yourself some warmth in the house as I don’t want you and your kids keeping cold in these difficult cold days to come.”

Within a few hours of the post being, Lisa commented underneath to say: “Turning the comments off! Had the most amazing replies! This community really is the best!!! THANK YOU to everyone xxx”

Speaking to The Manc about the donations she’s received, she added: “This community has been absolutely amazing.”

Read more: Shoppers report getting stuck for FIVE HOURS in Manchester Arndale car park

As well as a large number of people commenting on Facebook with offers of help, others sent messages of solidarity and support for her situation.

One person wrote: “You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of it’s the Government that should be ashamed. Bless you I hope you get what you need and even more to help you along a bit.”

Another said: “Lisa Cerven please please don’t feel ashamed for asking for help! I admire you for reaching out. Times are so hard at the moment, it shouldn’t be happening but it is.

“It looks like you’ve had lots of offers of help from the community since you’ve posted this but if you don’t manage to get what you need please don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll help where I can. Sending you my love xxxx”

Read more: Marcus Rashford finally responds to ‘idol’ Cristiano Ronaldo’s United departure

A third added: “Pls never feel ashamed to ask Lisa, if you can’t rely on your community then we are in a dire state. x”

A fourth said: “I have spoken with this lady tonight and I must say I’m so proud of our local community who have helped her. It means so much to her and her kids and it’s took a lot for her to ask.”

Feature image – Commons Wikimedia

She wrote: “Hi I feel very ashamed to be asking but my sons dla has been changed until next week.

“I was meant to get it on Tuesday and was meant to get a nice big shop in both

Manchester

Hundreds of new homes in Mayfield Park given green light

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Hundreds of new homes in Mayfield Park given green light

The chance to live in Manchester city centre’s newest park (and one of its only green spaces) has taken a step closer, with plans for new Mayfield Park homes given the green light.

879 apartments have been approved this week, which will have ‘the ultimate front garden’.

The Mayfield district has been undergoing major changes in the last few years, including the redevelopment of Depot Mayfield (into Freight Island, plus a music venue for events like Warehouse Project) and the opening of the beautiful Mayfield Park.

And now hundreds of new one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes will be added to the area, as well as a 40% increase in the size of the park.

The plans for the first homes at Mayfield Park were met with unanimous approval by the City Council’s Planning Committee.

The residences will span across four buildings, with low-rise elements peppered in amongst the taller blocks, and will also be home to restaurants, cafes, and health and wellness facilities.

A new tree-lined road through the development will enhance walking and cycling connectivity from east Manchester into the city centre.

More than 880 jobs will be generated during the construction phase, plus 120 full-time jobs when operational.

Hundreds of new homes in Mayfield Park given green light. Credit: Assembly Studios
Hundreds of new homes in Mayfield Park given green light. Credit: Assembly Studios

The proposals suggest that the apartments will contribute £2 million annually in Council Tax and a major £10 million boost to local businesses through increased spending.

The high-quality homes are designed by Studio Egret West and shedkm, designed to reflect the industrial heritage of the area, including distinctive arches.

20% of the first phase of homes are intended to be classed as affordable housing and will be prioritised for key workers in Manchester.

Henrietta Nowne, Development Director at Landsec, representing The Mayfield Partnership, said: “For the first time, Mancunians will have the ultimate back garden within the award-winning Mayfield Park.

“An opportunity like this hasn’t existed before in Manchester. Since starting on site earlier this month, there’s real momentum building as we continue to grow a green, healthy and connected district in the heart of Manchester.”

The approval marks the next chapter of the continued transformation of the Mayfield district near Piccadilly Station, led by Manchester City Council, TfGM, London Continental Railways (LCR), and Landsec.

Read more

Featured image: Assembly Studios

Manchester

Five Manchester artists we’ve been listening to this month | July 2025

Danny Jones Danny Jones New Manchester music artists July 2025

Hello again, it’s us: The Manc, or more specifically, our Audio North arm – back to talk about the music coming out of Greater Manchester that we’ve been listening to over the past month.

If you’re new here, it really is as simple as that, and whether they’re revered veterans of the region’s music scene or what we think might be the next up-and-coming thing, as long as it’s from ’round our way, we’ll give it a chance.

Five native artists, three recommended tracks from each and hopefully hours of exciting new listening if you play your cards right.

Headphones and playlists at the ready. Here’s what we had on in July.

Manchester music we’ve been into recently

1. poor effort

We’re kicking things off with an experimental project from Salford-born and Manchester-based musician and writer, Matty Dagger, whose new outing in the spoken word space immediately caught our attention when it came down the grapevine. It’s a bit alternative, a bit punk and very Manc. We love it.

Some might say it’s reminiscent of Yard Act and Sleaford Mods, which would be fair, but more specifically, our first listens gave us Stockport’s very own Hello Cosmos with a sprinkling of Oldham’s Seb Lowe (both previous monthly picks). The lyrical/vocal delivery is charmingly casual and anecdotal.

Dagger’s poor effort couldn’t be anything less than; there seems to be a very considered approach to the more electronic style of spoken word and poetry-driven music. You can complete the discography already, but we’d start with ‘you’re wrong, i’m right (symphony)’, ‘HMRC’, and then ‘City of Hope’.

Cool visual aesthetics going on too.

2. Victoria Jane

Next up is a big knee-jerking turn in genre and overall temperament, as if Dagger has been making us pay microscopic attention to every word and Greater Mancunian reference, this local musician hooked us in with her somewhat quieter but inviting timbre of voice and smooth, almost sleepy melodies at times.

Victoria Jane may have been born in London, having previously collaborated as part of the Vibbar collective, but having moved to 0161 as a kid and falling in love with Man United, she’s always immersed herself in the Northern way. The R’n’B act also presents BBC Radio 1 ‘Future Soul’ show.

Her work really hits all the notes you want, from smooth and soulful singing, to not quite voice cracks but soft, intentional breaks that often feel nigh on agonising – as if she’s into you and welcoming you to slump back the other way. ‘The One’, ‘Voicenote Freestyle’ and ‘On My Own’ are our picks.

3. Phellotape

Number three is, admittedly, another big whiplash when it comes to overall experience, but it’s one of the most unique musical discoveries we’ve made in a hit minute. This musical duo is called Phellotape, conceived by double bassist Alice Phelps and multi-instrumentalist producer Thomas ‘Twem’ Twemlow.

They met while playing in the queer alt-rock outfit, The Irrepressibles, but this project could be branded as anything from alternative and/or experimental to maybe even art pop. All we know is the multi-talented mix of instruments within almost every section, and pulling from numerous styles is pretty staggering.

Rather fittingly, there are only two recorded tracks to their name so far; ‘Rain’ is a quiet, atmospheric song that puts you in mind of London Grammar with a mix of the xx and Massive Attack, while ‘Hungry Ghost’ is quite easily one of the most interesting tunes we’ve heard in the past decade. No exaggeration.

4. 10cc

Fancing something more familiar for number four? Well, as a born and bred Stopfordian myself, every now and again I go back and admire some of the incredible names that recorded at the town’s famous Strawberry Studios – one of which is Stockport‘s very own 10cc. Great name, great band.

The moment I heard my then-teenage brother play ‘Donna’, I was baffled as to why he was playing what I then just dismissed as “old music”, before it quickly got stuck in my head. Is it their best tune? No. Does it still hold a special place in my head and heart? Yes. Do they have other standouts? Absolutely.

For the record, while most people recognise the likes of the controversial ‘Dreadlock Holiday’, I’d argue ‘Good Morning Judge’ is their best track and the first time I listened to it, I thought it was one of the coolest sounding intros ever. Still do. ‘I’m Not In Love’ with them, but they are a core childhood memory.

A hugely undercelebrated of Greater Manchester music history (Credit: AVRO/Dirk Annemans (via Wikimedia Commons)

5. Oasis

Speaking of legends who evoke nothing but feelings of hometown pride, legacy and pure admiration, it’d be the most see-through lie ever to pretend that we haven’t spent most of this last month listening to the almighty Oasis amid their comeback tour.

We had the pleasure of being there at Heaton Park and up on ‘Gallagher Hill’, which now has its own precious place in British music history, and July as a whole still feels akin to a fever dream and similar to what we imagine Glastonbury is like for those nearby when it takes over their entire universe.

July 2025 really was “biblical” and we don’t think we’ll ever get over it, so, last but not least, we’d thought we’d give a special shout-out to some of our favourite tracks that didn’t make the setlist. ‘Don’t Go Away’, ‘Shock of the Lightning’, ‘Round Are Way’. Done.

As The Masterplan proved, everything from the so-called ‘filler’ album tracks to those B-sides is better than most other bands could dream of. As you were x

Oasis are clearly doing something very deliberate for the as-yet-unconfirmed Live ’25 reunion album
We can’t NOT get carried away as long as Live ’25 reunion season goes on, a.k.a. ‘Manchester Music Christmas’.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — University of Salford/Soundcloud/Jamie Soule (supplied)

More Manchester

How Chotto Matte in Manchester will look

Eats

Chotto Matte – Amazing new images show how Manchester’s luxury new rooftop restaurant will look

Art & Culture

New free app launches to help people find the best nature spots in and around Manchester

Crime

Rochdale man, 20, found guilty of assaulting police officers and the public at Manchester Airport

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches