Positive and realistic images of older people in Greater Manchester are to be celebrated through a newly-launched photography competition.
The competition was launched on back on 1st October, which was International Day of Older Persons.
The Old Frame New Picture competition will challenge the negative and stereotyped ways that older people are represented as vulnerable or frail, which is something that has become even more prevalent during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Instead, the competition will celebrate the diversity of older people’s lives and their contributions to society.
Six winning entries will be featured in a digital billboard campaign across Greater Manchester next year, as well as appearing in an online exhibition, and featuring in a set of printed postcards.
ADVERTISEMENT
The best images will also form a new bank of photographs for use by local charities and other third-sector organisations in their marketing and communications, which will provide a positive alternative to stereotyped images often used.
There are also cash prizes up for grabs too.
ADVERTISEMENT
Professional and amateur photographers can take part by submitting their photograph of at least one person aged over 50, under one of six themes:
Activism
Supporting My Community
Old and proud
Friends and Family
Taking part
Self-Portraits (including selfies)
The judges for the competition include leading photographer Alex Rotas – who specialises in challenging ageing stereotypes through photography – Virginia Tandy, Director of CADA – the Creative Ageing Development Agency – Helen Wewiora – Director of the Castlefield Gallery – Mike Sweeney – BBC Radio Manchester broadcaster – and Jai Chuhan, who is a visual artist, winner of the bolder prize at the Manchester Open, and a member of the Greater Manchester Older People’s Network.
Old Frame New Picture is funded by the Arts Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Ambition for Ageing as part of a series of projects harnessing the arts and creativity to support Greater Manchester’s ambitions to be the best place in the UK to grow old.
ADVERTISEMENT
The competition was planned before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and organisers have taken measures to make it safe by, for example, encouraging selfies, ensuring photographs are taken at least two metres away from the subject, and encouraging the submission of photographs taken before social distancing measures began.
The competition is being organised by Greater Manchester Ageing Hub, voluntary and community sector support organisation MACC, and Greater Manchester Older People’s Network.
Brenda Warrington – Greater Manchester’s lead for age-friendly and equalities – said: “We want Greater Manchester to be the best place in the UK to grow old, but the last six months have been particularly difficult for older people. Many have struggled because of the disruption to their normal social and work lives have been disrupted. However, older people have also led volunteering efforts in their neighbourhoods, have remained active and resilient, and they have contributed so much to our communities.
“We want to celebrate the contribution of older people to our society and I hope this competition will show that in a positive and realistic way.”
Unsplash / Johnny Cohen
Greater Manchester Older People’s Network member Pauline Smith – aged 72, from Bury – said: “Older people contribute greatly to society and their communities, whether they are still paid to work or if they are retired and are volunteering.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Yet they are often presented in stereotyped way – with wrinkly hands, or doddering around on a stick or a Zimmer frame. Of course some people need aids, but this lumps all older people together and it is not a fair representation.
“I hope this competition will produce a series of photographs that shows what older people are capable of, that we are still enjoying life and that we are active in so many ways.”
The deadline to enter by is Friday 13th November 2020, with a cash prize of £50 for third place, £100 for second place and a grand prize of £250 for the winner.
You can find more information about how to enter via the MACC website here.
Trending
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Family-friendly LGBTQ+ festival returns to Manchester Pride 2026
Danny Jones
Exactly what it says on the tin, Proud Fest returns to Manchester for 2026, promising plenty of fun for all ages away from the main hustle and bustle this summer.
Best part of all? It’s completely FREE.
Taking place in the heart of the city centre, it offers a viable alternative to many who want to avoid the major crowds that flock to Gay Village’s Pride party every year.
Just the second year that this LGBTQIA+ festival has been set up, making its colourful debut in 2025, there’ll be everything from live music, games and other interactive opportunities for all ages, arts and crafts, plus workshops and plenty more; there’s something for everyone here.
Championing “entertainment, family-friendly activities, music, creativity, and plenty of Pride spirit”, the 2026 edition of Proud Fest is set to be one of the biggest ever.
Based around Great Northern Warehouse just off Deansgate and Peter Street, it’s set to be hosted by drag queen ‘Aida H Dee’, as well as Sara Gosney-Hughes, best-known for her travel expertise and work as a broadcaster and producer at nearby station Hits Radio.
With both calling Manchester home, alongside lots of other organisers behind the free festivities, you can expect plenty of hometown passion and pride – pun very much intended.
Set up in partnership with Proud 2 b Parents (P2bP), mums, dads and more will also be able to enjoy the official Pride parade from a viewing area in the dedicated Community Hall, where they’ll get a perfect spot to watch the floats and performers go down the strip.
Canal Street is already gearing up for those sublime, sun-soaked evenings at the end of August.
Speaking ahead of the latest iteration of the annual festival, Founder and CEO of P2bP, Matt Taylor-Roberts, told us in a statement: “Proud Fest is about creating the spaces many of us wished existed when we first became parents.
“It’s a celebration of LGBTQ+ families in all their diversity and a reminder that every family deserves to feel seen, supported and celebrated.”
At its core, this is about creating a safe and friendly option for families to still feel connected to the queer community and play their part in the wider celebrations.
You can grab your completely complimentary tickets right HERE.
And if you’re looking for other great days out for the family in Manchester this summer, there’s another free event happening at Circle Square earlier in the month.
Emily Sergeant -
9th October 2020 
