A “groundbreaking” new drag school especially for LGBTQ+ youth and allies in Greater Manchester has been launched this week.
As part of a new partnership between Manchester Pride and local group Drag Kings of Manchester, the new drag school – which is called ‘The House of Queens, Kings and Holy Things’ – is kicking-off with a series of exciting free summer workshops aimed at providing the region‘s LGBTQ+ youth and allies with “performance skills, confidence, and community”.
Offering “a transformative experience in the world of drag”, this innovative new drag school is exclusively for members of Youth Pride MCR aged 14 to 18, and those up to 25 with additional needs.
In case you’re not familiar with Youth Pride MCR, it’s a project by Manchester Pride that’s dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ young people and their allies by creating a safe and inclusive community, and organising engaging workshops where participants can explore their identities, develop new skills, and build meaningful connections.
Those taking part in the new workshops at ‘The House of Queens, Kings and Holy Things’ this summer will have the opportunity to develop their performance skills, learn about makeup and costume, build self-confidence, and ultimately perfect their drag performance craft.
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At the end of the five-week course, those taking part will then have a chance to perform at the Youth Pride MCR event as part of the legendary Manchester Pride Festival.
Manchester Pride says it has developed the workshops in response to feedback directly from the young people it supports.
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More than 50% of young people said they wanted to learn more about drag and creative performance.
Beyond the glamour and glitter, Manchester Pride and Drag Kings of Manchester say the workshop series also aims to provide LGBTQ+ youth and allies with “valuable experience and insights into the creative industries”, as well as help to improve their social and public speaking skills.
Manchester Pride launches ‘groundbreaking’ new drag school to teach LGBTQ+ youth performance skills / Credit: Youth Pride MCR
“We are excited to launch this unique and creative initiative, offering our young members a platform to express themselves, meet new people, and potentially ignite their passion for a career in the creative industries,” Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said ahead of the launch of the new drag school and workshop series.
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“The House of Queens, Kings and Holy Things encapsulates the spirit of Manchester Pride, creating opportunities for the LGBTQ+ youth of our community to thrive, be seen, and heard.
“We are eager to see the talent and creativity that will emerge from this program.”
You can learn more about the workshops and upcoming events here.
Featured Image – Youth Pride MCR
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Manchester Airport unveils bumper Christmas makeover with Santa’s Grotto and last-minute shopping ideas
Daisy Jackson
Christmas has officially landed at Manchester Airport, and with an estimated 1.1m of us travelling through the busy transport hub in the coming weeks, the airport is really kicking off the festivities.
The halls have been decked with all sorts of festive touches, like a 20ft Christmas tree in Terminal 2, and plenty more glitter and sparkle around the entire airport.
There are dozens of discounts on stocking fillers as part of Manchester Airport’s ‘Holidays Mode Activated’ campaign, along with festive menus at bars and restaurants.
A Santa’s Grotto in Terminal 1’s free play area, the Little Flyers Zone, will be open until Wednesday 18 December, where little Mancs can send off their list to the big man with a Letters to Santa Station.
Santa himself will be on hand to greet families on Thursday and Fridays, but his elves will be there throughout the next few weeks too.
There are more than 200 destinations you can fly directly to from Manchester, from city breaks to other Christmas markets to snatched fortnights of sunshine to flights to spend the festive break with loved ones.
You can do your Christmas shopping at Manchester Airport with brilliant businesses like The Sculpts
And whether you’re one of those who’s panicked and left your shopping until the last minute, or are biding your time to save cash on beauty, booze and fragrance at World Duty Free, you can tick everything off your list on your way home for Christmas.
Shops at Manchester Airport include legendary toy shop Hamleys, fragrance favourite Jo Malone, and sportswear brand JD Sports.
You can stock up on gifts like fashion accessories from shops like BOSS and Accessorize, or get all your gifts for 2024 in one go at duty free.
And don’t miss The Sculpts, a Manchester-based design business operated by a local couple, who sell a range of handmade homeware and souvenirs including their signature alphabet tiles.
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “Christmas is a magical time here at Manchester Airport.
“We’re always proud to connect the North to the world but the importance of that role really shines through at this time of year. It feels wonderful when you see travellers having emotional reunions in arrivals and families in departures getting ready to visit Father Christmas in Lapland.
“It’s also always a popular time to fly and, having broken our passenger records every month for well over a year now, we expect this Christmas to be the biggest and busiest we’ve ever seen with over a million passengers flying in the two-week festive period.
“Not only will those passengers receive a great service – last month 82% of our passengers waited less than five minutes to get to security – but they will also be able to soak up some of the magic we have here, including Santa’s grotto in our Little Flyers Zone in Terminal 1 and choirs singing carols at various spots in all three terminals.
“We can’t wait to welcome passengers to Manchester Airport this festive season.”
Five ways Manchester City Council is helping Mancs through winter, from free cuppas to life-changing schemes
Daisy Jackson
We all know winter can be the toughest season of the year, despite all the festivities that surround us – which is why Manchester City Council has a number of schemes and initiatives available to make life a little brighter.
From little gestures like free hot drinks to life-changing schemes like Pension Credit, there are a whole host of ways you can get help over the coming months and beyond.
Manchester City Council believes that many of these things that can drastically improve people’s lives are being overlooked, forgotten, or aren’t known about.
So now there’s a huge drive to educate people on all the help available to them in Manchester – and for everyone to pass that message along to loved ones.
See the full list below and make sure you don’t let these brilliant schemes pass you, your friends or your family by.
Warm Welcome Spaces
Libraries across Greater Manchester have been turned into warm spaces for winter. Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester’s libraries have once again become ‘warm spaces’ offering free hot drinks and internet access to those in need again this winter.
After tens of thousands of local residents visited the ‘stigma-free safe spaces’ to escape and take refuge from the cold back in both 2022 and 2023, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme again this year during the chillier months.
While you’re there, you’ll have access to support including age friendly spaces, free hot drinks, comfortable seating, free internet access and Wi-Fi, free newspapers, staff who can signpost to other support agencies, digital drop-ins, and under 5s story times once a week.
There’s currently a huge drive to get people who are eligible to get their flu and/or Covid vaccinations, with no appointments needed to pop into a walk-in clinic across the city.
You might’ve spotted an adorable ‘Vaxxie Daxxie’ dachshund around town leading the way to the many places you can get your vaccinations.
Dr Cordelle Ofori, Manchester’s Director of Public Health, said: “We all know how busy people’s calendars get at this time of year and that window for getting as much protection as possible is now – because the vaccinations take around 14 days to be as effective as possible.
“We’ve heard that many people think that Covid ‘has gone away’ – it hasn’t and cases are increasing in the city, same as flu – which is expected at this time of year. That’s why it is so important that people act now so that they don’t get ill themselves or pass viruses to others who may be more susceptible to becoming very ill.”
Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Social Care, at Manchester City Council, said: “And, every time one person gets a vaccination they are also helping others because there is less chance of them passing a virus on, especially when there are so many social events between now and new year.”
For more information on Manchester’s vaccination offer and walk-in clinics go to manchester.gov.uk/getmyjab.
Claim your Pension Credit
Manchester City Council has estimated that more than 8000 people in Manchester aren’t claiming the pension credits they’re entitled to, possibly because they may feel there’s a stigma attached to it.
It’s estimated that there’s £24m in Pension Credit unclaimed in Manchester each year, and htis is a valuable benefit that can unlock other financial help such as full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support, plus eligibility for social tariffs, the Warm Home Discount, cheaper broadband, free TV licenses, lower water bills and now the Winter Fuel Payment.
Eligible pensioners only have until 21 December to claim this support.
Thousands of SIM cards and dozens of donated laptops have been handed out to Mancs, with Manchester City Council believing that many will have sacrificed things like this due to the cost-of-living crisis.
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These donated items can help to combat isolation in our communities.
This scheme comes alongside the free libraries people can access across the region, but is now going that one step further to tackle digital exclusion.
Over the past 18 months, more than 6,000 free data SIM cards have been given away, with 100 refurbished laptops handed out and another 200 to be delivered in the coming months.
Five ways Manchester City Council is helping Mancs through winter
Council support payments have started landing for thousands of Manchester pensioners – these are payments of up to £200 to help with energy, water and fuel costs.
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Almost 5000 households where pensioners live, which are in receipt of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit, but do not qualify for winter fuel payments, will automatically receive these vital financial boosts.
Applications are also now open for the Council’s new hardship fund specifically for pensioners who are in-need and will not receive the winter fuel payment but have not already been identified for an automatic payment. Again those aged 66-79 will be eligible for £150 payments and those 80 or over for £200.
And it’s not limited to pensioners – there are also payments heading out to Manchester households on a low income and families with children who are eligible for free school meals during term time.
Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “We know winter can be an especially difficult time for those affected by the cost-of-living crisis. That’s why we’ve listened to Mancunians’ concerns and acted quickly to put this landmark package of support in place. We want anyone struggling to know that there is help out there.
“I’m proud that older people in Manchester, and others who we’ve identified as being in need of targeted support, will be among the first in the country to benefit from measures which councils are taking.
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“While many will be receiving welcome payments over the next few days, I’d encourage anyone in Manchester who is struggling financially to get in touch with our Cost of Living Advice Line, especially if you might be eligible for hardship support.
“This sits alongside our work to encourage people to access Pension Credits and other extra money and help which people might be eligible for but missing out on.
“Equally, we’re asking family members who think an older relative might be eligible for support to let them know about the fund or give them a hand applying.”
Emily Sergeant -
20th June 2023 
