We have been working hard over the last 12 months with an architect to develop a plan to make the building accessible via wheelchair. In the mean time, we have worked with a number of groups to establish connections that will strengthen and develop once our space becomes fully accessible. The Grade II listed building has historically been home to a church, a synagogue, a church again, clothing industry offices and is currently occupied by Partisan Collective and an immigration law firm.

What we'll deliver:

• Adaptations to the building to make it wheelchair accessible!
• A versatile and accessible gallery and exhibition space as well as gig venue
• We will continue to deliver a wide variety of workshops and training sessions
• Continue to provide meaningful community engagement activities for young offenders
• Clean up and regenerate the outside grounds of the building, making it safer for all
• Put on regular, fun events and parties for all ages and abilities, with quiet rooms and sensory rooms available
• Free or affordable office space to local grassroots organisations and charities
• Provide an accessible, democratic space for community, social justice and activist groups to use
• Continue to be home to our long term residents, Women Asylum Seekers Together & Safety4Sisters
• Work with disability led organisations to widen our volunteering capacity and make it accessible to all

Why it's a great idea:

The fast growth of Manchester brings with it so many positives: more jobs in creative industries, arts, education and an increasingly multi-cultural population. However, it inevitably also brings more competition and commercial pressure, which further excludes those marginalised groups whom regeneration schemes always promise, but fail, to benefit. This pressure, compounded by the toxic effects of austerity, creates a difficult living and working environment that weighs heavily on the shoulders of all wanting to start something new or pursue work that actually benefits locals. Over the last 2 years, over 40 local community groups and countless artists have used our space for their meetings, exhibitions, and gigs. This engagement shows that there is demand and need for a permanent Partisan space in Manchester. What there is even more need for is a space, exactly like Partisan, that is physically accessible to all. This is not just our space; it is everyone's space.

Steps to get it done:

• Instantly possible minor access improvements
• Phase 1
• Phase 2
• Phase 3
• Phase 4
• Phase 5
• Completion

We are also 'home' to two registered charities who work with some of the city's most vulnerable people. It is extremely difficult to find a place where these women can feel safe at all, let alone somewhere that they can regularly come to for advice, help, socialising and laughter. Currently, both charities' most vital services - the drop in sessions - are having to be held at an external venue, due to the inaccessibility of our building on Cheetham Hill Road. WAST and S4S are both desperate for the building to be made accessible so that they do not have to try and find a new home. The staff, volunteers and families who use their services want to stay in their adopted home of number 19, and we desperately want them to stay with us too. We are engaged in discussions with numerous disabled artists and charity groups who are equally passionate about the lack of accessible and affordable meeting/venue space in Manchester. Please help Partisan to fill this void and be what we want to be!