Community Voices on North Manchester FM

Date of event: 14/08/09
Organised by: North Manchester FM
Report by: Rob Squires, Network Co-ordinator - Third Sector

I have just returned from a radio interview, on the North Manchester FM Community Voices show, with presenter Michael Snaith. I have known Michael for some time, as he is a community health activist and North Manchester resident and before starting with Target: Wellbeing, I volunteered for the Health and Wellbeing Community Network in Manchester, as a third sector representative on the Food Futures Board.

Michael began the interview with a discussion about the links between food production, access and security, and health and wellbeing. We went on to talk a lot about the holistic nature of modern public health policy (the wider determinants of public health), and how this is being reflected through the work of Target: Wellbeing partners like GONW and the Manchester Joint Health Unit, who run the city’s Target: Wellbeing programme.

I gave an overview of the regional portfolio, but with it being North Manchester FM, the focus was on what Manchester projects are doing for people in this area. We talked a lot about the interconnectedness of the three Target: Wellbeing outcomes:
- mental health
- physical activity
- healthy eating

We also talked a lot about the connections between the projects in the Manchester Programme, painting a truly holistic picture.

Unfortunately before the show I did not have a chance to network the opportunity for Manchester projects to go on air with me. If anyone is interested however, Michael is keen to get interviews from Target: Wellbeing projects that are operating in the area. It would also be interesting to try and get beneficiaries on air, to give first hand experiences of the benefits they are experiencing. Next time there is an opportunity for projects to go on air, I will make sure projects get lots of advanced notice.