The Communities and Equalities Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 7 October 2026 to discuss the Manchester Volunteer and Inspire Programme (MCRVIP), advice services across the city, and community events. The committee noted the progress and future plans for MCRVIP, reviewed the performance and impact of various advice services, and discussed the facilitation and funding of community events.

Advice Services Update

The committee received an update on the Manchester advice sector, including the City-Wide Advice Service (CWAS) contract, Early and Extra Help and Support (EEHS) services, and other non-commissioned services. Representatives from CWAS and EEHS organisations highlighted the breadth of support provided, ranging from welfare benefits and debt advice to housing issues and translation services. They emphasised that residents often present with multiple complex needs, and advice is delivered through various channels, including face-to-face, telephone, online, and outreach services in accessible community settings.

Key discussion points included:

• Breadth of Services: The committee welcomed the extensive work undertaken to support residents.
• Registered Provider Support: The important role of Registered Providers of social housing in supporting their tenants was acknowledged.
• Digital Exclusion: The committee discussed how digital exclusion is being addressed, with organisations like Citizens Advice Manchester (CAM) using a place-based approach and an Advice Van to connect with communities and provide face-to-face support. CAM has also established a network of Advice First Aiders from frontline services to identify needs early and facilitate access to specialist services.
• Capacity and Demand: Concerns were raised about whether the current capacity of services is sufficient to meet the demand for advice in Manchester.
• Referral to EEHS: Questions were asked about how residents can be referred to the EEHS offer, with the Strategic Lead for Homelessness and Migration clarifying that formal referrals are not always required, and people can present directly for advice and support.
• Awareness in Adjacent Wards: It was noted that residents in wards adjacent to Woodhouse Park need to be made aware of the advice services available there.
• Student Engagement: The committee inquired about student engagement with advice services, and it was noted that targeted work has been undertaken in collaboration with The Manchester College and local universities.
• Funding and Support: The need for adequate funding and provision for services that offer follow-up support after initial advice was highlighted, given the complexity of navigating the benefits system.

Hayley Hughes from Citizens Advice Manchester (CAM) explained that data analysis and monitoring inform service deployment and help identify gaps in provision. Sinead O'Connor from Cheetham Hill Advice Centre (CHAC) noted that their monitoring focuses on reducing debt and maximising income, and face-to-face meetings are always available. John Ryan from Shelter highlighted the development of a Community Link Worker service in schools, in collaboration with CAM, to provide support with welfare benefits, money, and housing. Amanda Croome from Caritas provided an example of how immediate support, such as food bank access, can lead to opportunities to address the underlying circumstances causing hardship.

The Chair concluded by thanking the attendees for their contributions and acknowledging the invaluable work they do in supporting Manchester residents. The committee noted the report. Councillor Good declared a prejudicial interest as he was employed by an organisation operating within the City-Wide Advice Contract and withdrew from the meeting during the consideration of this item.

Manchester Volunteer and Inspire Programme (MCRVIP)

The committee reviewed the Manchester Volunteer and Inspire Programme (MCRVIP), a council-managed website and app designed to connect residents with volunteering opportunities. The programme aims to foster a sense of belonging, connection, and thriving within the city's diverse community.

Key points from the discussion included:

• Volunteer Contributions: A Member, who had previously served as Lord Mayor, paid tribute to the significant contribution of volunteers across the city.
• Active vs. Registered Volunteers: A key point of discussion was the conversion of registered volunteers to active volunteers. While over 9,300 volunteers are registered, only around 900 had actively volunteered in the past 12 months. The Community Development & Participation Lead explained that active volunteers are defined as those who have logged hours or signed up for a session. It was acknowledged that more needs to be done to increase volunteering opportunities and encourage active participation.
• Provider Registration: It was noted that providers of volunteering opportunities also need to register on the platform to maximise available opportunities.
• Council Staff Volunteering: The uptake rate of the three days' volunteering leave offered to Council staff was described as relatively low. The Director of Communities stated that this opportunity is regularly promoted, and ongoing conversations are happening to increase staff participation.
• Safeguarding: Safeguarding was highlighted as a paramount concern. Nuala Trace, Community Learning Curriculum Manager at Manchester Adult Education Service, and May Bedier, a volunteer, shared positive experiences of how safeguarding is embedded within their MCRVIP programmes, including robust training and refresher courses.
• Future Development: The report outlined plans for future development, including improving equity and accessibility, strengthening resident voice, and expanding the use of MCRVIP across more council services. Volunteer incentives, such as Manchester Time Credits, are being introduced to recognise contributions and encourage continued participation.
• Wythenshawe Engagement: A deep dive has been undertaken to understand the factors and barriers to MCRVIP engagement in the Wythenshawe area, with plans for a hyper-local communications campaign.
• Expanding Reach: The Manchester Adult Education Service's positive experience with MCRVIP will inform future discussions to explore opportunities for expansion, potentially through Family Hubs and Youth and Play provision.

The Chair concluded by thanking the invited guests and reiterating the committee's appreciation for the work of volunteers across the city. The committee noted the report.

Community Events Update

The committee received an overview of community events in Manchester, detailing how they are facilitated and funded at neighbourhood, park, and city-wide levels through the Community Event Fund. The report highlighted significant additional investment in community events from the 2026/27 budget, totalling £0.675 million annually for community events and fireworks displays, plus £320,000 per year from the Your Neighbourhood Fund for ward-level support.

Key discussion points included:

• Investment and Support: The committee welcomed and supported the increased investment in community events, recognising their importance in fostering community cohesion and celebrating diversity.
• Women and Girls' Safety in Parks: Positive work in this area was noted.
• Fireworks Events: The approach to the planned fireworks events was welcomed and supported. The Parks Strategy Manager confirmed that these events are designed in accordance with all relevant legislation and guidance to ensure public safety, involving multi-agency collaboration. A lower-noise, family-friendly display is planned alongside a traditional display to ensure accessibility.
• Support for Smaller Events: The committee inquired about support for smaller events, particularly regarding compliance with legislation like Martyn's Law. The Strategic Lead for Neighbourhoods (North) acknowledged the need for additional support for smaller events and mentioned the development of a toolkit to assist organisers. Otilla Ordog, Director and founder of Beat Bazaar, confirmed her involvement in developing this toolkit, which includes considerations for safeguarding, legislation, and risk assessments in an accessible format.
• Sustainability of Events: Concerns were raised about the sustainability of smaller community events, with future financial uncertainty being a significant worry for many groups. The Strategic Lead for Neighbourhoods (North) and Otilla Ordog discussed how bringing groups together can foster sustainability through shared experience and assistance with grant applications. The potential for local businesses and producers to engage with these events was also highlighted.
• Revenue from Large Events: The committee requested that future update reports include information on how revenue generated from large-scale city events is used to support smaller community events.

The Deputy Executive Member for Culture, Libraries and Leisure thanked the committee for their positive comments, noting that previous feedback had informed the report's approach. He reaffirmed the political commitment to delivering community events across the city. The Chair welcomed the report and thanked the guest speaker, emphasising Manchester's multicultural identity and the value of celebrating it through diverse community events.

The committee recommended that future update reports include information on how revenue achieved from large-scale events held across the city is used to support the delivery of smaller community events.

Overview Report

The Committee received the report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit, which included a recommendations monitor, key decisions, and the committee's work programme.

• Recommendations Monitor: There were no outstanding recommendations from previous meetings.
• Key Decisions: An extract from the Register of Key Decisions was presented, detailing upcoming executive decisions relevant to the committee's remit. These included decisions related to the Manchester PlayZones Programme, Community Accommodation Service Tier 3 (CAS3), Housing-related Support for Homeless or Those at Risk of Homelessness, A Bed Every Night (ABEN) Manchester, and the National Rough Sleeping Programme.
• Work Programme: The committee reviewed and agreed its work programme for upcoming meetings, noting the inclusion of deferred items. A Member suggested inviting specific organisations to the November meeting for the 'Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls' report, and the Scrutiny Support Officer agreed to forward these details to the relevant report authors.

The committee noted the report and agreed the work programme.