Parklife Festival raises over £80,000 for Manchester’s community groups
Community groups can receive up to £5,000 from the Parklife Community Fund, created to give back to local communities and busineses on the festival's doostep
A Parklife funding campaign has generated £81,750 for community groups based around Heaton Park – a 71% increase on previous years’ efforts.
Contributions made by guestlist attendees and donations to charities via festival tickets increased hugely in 2021 – meaning there is more money than ever to give back to local communities.
Working with local councils in Manchester, Bury and Rochdale, the Parklife Community Fund works to support projects that benefit parks, open spaces, and young people – and now has opened up applications for locals to receive grants up to £5,000.
Prestwich Councillor Alan Quinn, Bury Council’s cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said: “It’s important that local people and businesses also benefit from having these events on their doorstep.”
“In 2016 I asked Parklife to set up a community fund, and this year the fund stands at £27,000 which is a great sum and gives local groups and charities the opportunity to bid this money The amount available for each project remains at £2000.
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“However, tthis year due to the fact there was an extra concert we argued for more funding, so, this year an extra £24,500 is available split between Manchester and Prestwich to bid for.”
A Parklife funding campaign has generated £81,750 for community groups based / Credit: Parklife
It is the fifth year that the Parklife Community Fund has made financial contributions to local groups.
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The total number of projects supported last year was 51, up from 20 in 2019 – showing that the reach of the fund continues to grow year on year, despite the pandemic hitting Manchester’s nightlife and festival scene hard.
Applications for 2022 are now open and groups will be notified by the end of February 2022 of the outcome.
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Manchester City Council’s executive member for Neighbourhoods said: “By hosting events such as Parklife, which bring people to Heaton Park from far and wide, there must be real and tangible benefits for residents.”
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I would urge any residents or groups with a project in mind which might enhance their local area to make their application as soon as possible.”
Grants will be awarded at an event in Prestwich towards the end of February. To find out more about the fund and how to apply for a grant, visit the Parklife Community Fund website here.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Dolly Busby -
12th November 2021 
