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Spirit of Manchester Festival 2016

The Spirit of Manchester Festival is one component of Macc’s Spirit of Manchester programme, the annual celebration of Manchester’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. The idea of the Festival is for organisations throughout Manchester’s VCSE sector to hold an event to showcase their organisation during a set period (this year 1 – 10 October 2016). This is something that many groups already do; but as there are over 3000 VCSE organisations in the city of Manchester, it can be difficult for every group to get the recognition that their work deserves. The Spirit of Manchester Festival encourages groups to all get involved at once in order to magnify the impact of the VCSE sector and create a city-wide celebration of the incredible work that we all do.

Participating in the Spirit of Manchester Festival therefore means no additional work for organisations, something that is key whilst the sector is currently facing so many difficulties. It benefits the individual organisations who get involved and the sector as a whole by: raising the profile of participating organisations; providing the opportunity to network and recruit new supporters, volunteers and funds; and creating a celebration of the VCSE sector in communities across Manchester.

Just over 30 organisations participated in the Spirit of Manchester Festival 2016, with over 70 events taking place between 1 and 10 October 2016. These events were highly varied: from open days and community fairs to art exhibitions and film screenings; from gigs and workshops to gardening and cycling; from meditation and story-telling to cafés and youth clubs.

This year was the third Spirit of Manchester Festival, and it has grown each year since its inception in 2014.

Download our festival timetable here

View our festival calendar

View our festival map

Photos from events held for the Spirit of Manchester Festival 2016

Inspired PeopleHulme Community Garden Centre
Inspired PeopleHulme Community Garden CentreThe Owl and The Coconut with the Depaul Trust
Homeless Art FestivalStreetwise OperaBack on Track
Homeless Art FestivalStreetwise OperaBack on Track
Whitemoss Club for young peopleManchester University Canoe ClubThe Proud Trust