Manchester has always been a resilient city of tight-knit communities, but nothing has proved that more than what we’ve been faced with over the last year.
It almost feels redundant to say at this point, but the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has done just about everything to flip life as we once knew it on its head since the first national lockdown was imposed across England towards the end of March 2020.
And since then, our region hasn’t had it easy.
In addition to the three national lockdowns, Greater Manchester has been hit with some of the toughest restrictions for longer than anywhere else in the country, with sectors shut down for significant periods of time and strict social-distancing measures remaining place in most public and social settings, but still, despite all the obstacles presented and the hardships faced, Mancunians stuck together and showed their fighting spirit.
The brilliant people of this brilliant region sought to help out the most vulnerable and less fortunate in our communities.
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It’s shown us that the power of charity has never been stronger.
Which is why one Manchester-born and bred creative agency wants to lend a hand and offer its services to those local charities looking to get their feet off the ground and “transform their online presence” to reach a wider audience by running a competition that gives two initiatives / organisations the chance to have a custom-designed website built for free.
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Convertaroo is an award-winning creative agency based right here in the heart of Manchester city centre.
Founded in 2016, with “Manchester our home but the world our canvas”, Convertaroo offers website design, social media management and digital advertising to maximise brands’ online presence, with the main goal of helping businesses reach their true potential, no matter what field they are in.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCAj7A6gPWR/
“Our portfolio spans from Cheshire to Hollywood, but Manchester is always home.” Convertaroo’s Creative Director, Omar James Thompson, told us.
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“Many of our fellow Mancunians depend on the help and support from local charity organisations.
“As a creative agency, we know how vital an online presence is to get noticed, but we also understand that, right now, it’s something that small charities can’t afford or prioritise, so we are looking to help two local charities spread their message further with a brand new website design and build, completely for free.
He continued: “Since last March, we’ve been amazed with how our community has reacted to the lockdowns, [so] we’ve been looking for a way to help Manchester [and] this seemed like the obvious way to do so – help the charities grow their online presence to keep providing that essential support.
“Now, more than ever, is the perfect time to give something back to our city”.
And for a charity to be in with the chance of winning one of the free custom-built websites on offer, all they need to do is be nominated, or even nominate themselves.
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It’s as simple as that.
“We are looking for two small charities or organisations that help provide benefit and support to our fellow Mancunians.” Omar continued.
“Whether it’s a food bank organisation, mental health support, single parent groups or anything in between, the main rule of entry is that you provide support within our city, that’s all we ask, so please don’t hesitate to nominate, even if you’re not sure whether your chosen nominee fits the criteria”.
Keen to nominate a Greater Manchester charity into this exciting giveaway? Head to the Convertaroo website here.
The winners are planned to be announced at the end of March.
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You can also find out more information about Covertaroo and the services provided here, as well as keep up to date with the company on Instagram.
Ofcom reveals top 10 most complained-about moments on TV in 2025 after ‘busy’ year
Emily Sergeant
It’s that time of year once again… Ofcom has revealed what the top 10 most complained-about moments were on TV last year.
In what has become an annual tradition we all wait for with baited breath, the UK’s official communications regulator – which receives and deals with tens of thousands of complaints all throughout the year – has taken a look back at the previous year and pulled together a top 10 list of what the most complained-about TV moments were.
This year, it’s no surprise to see the usual offenders like Love Island, Good Morning Britain, and Big Brother make the cut – but which claimed the top spot for 2025?
Ofcom admitted 2025 was a ‘busy year’ for its team, received almost 50,000 complaints about more than 8,000 TV, radio, and on-demand programmes.
The regulator says this is a ‘clear sign’ that audiences care deeply about what they watch and listen to.
“Every single complaint matters,” Ofcom said in a statement as the top 10 list was revealed. “We carefully review each and every one, ensuring that all broadcasters are held to the same high standards that UK viewers and listeners expect.”
In what is a landslide, but unfortunate, victory for Love Island, the hugely popular ITV reality show actually claimed the top three places on this year’s most-complained about list, racking up a whopping 8,058 complaints in total and the majority of those relating to alleged bullying behaviour towards contestant Shakira.
The top five was rounded out by Channel 5’s Vanessa show, which related to a discussion on breastfeeding and its benefits, and GB News’ Headliners section, which objected to a presenter’s comment which they believed linked the LGBTQ+ community to paedophiles.
Top 10 most complained-about TV moments of 2025
Love Island – ITV2, 24 July 2025 – 3,547 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 22 July 2025 – 2,509 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 23 July 2025 – 2,002 complaints
Vanessa – Channel 5, 10 June 2025 – 1,866 complaints
Headliners – GB News, 22 January 2025 – 1,391 complaints
Today with Samantha Washington – Sky News, 7 June 2025 – 1,302 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 25 July 2025 – 1,296 complaints
Love Island: All Stars – ITV2, 12 February 2025 – 1,240 complaints
Celebrity Big Brother – ITV2, 9 April 2025 – 1,008 complaints
The BRIT Awards 2025 – ITV1, 1 March 2025 – 938 complaints
Love Island, and it’s accompanying Love Island: All Stars series – which actually begins airing its third series next Monday (12 January 2026) – claimed another three spots in the top 10, again all relating to alleged bullying behaviour.
Celebrity Big Brother also features, with complaints relating to comments made by Mickey Rourke to JoJo Siwa.
Finally, The BRIT Awards 2025 closes out the top 10, with complaints relating to a number of issues – including Sabrina Carpenter’s opening dance routine, and to Charli XCX’s outfit.
It is always worth noting, however, that this top 10 list figures don’t include complaints about programmes on the BBC, as under the BBC Charter, these are handled by the BBC in the first instance as part of the ‘BBC first process’.
Featured Image – Piotr Cichosz (via Unsplash)
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Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd February 2021 
