Our neighbours come from variety of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and a lot of creative people also live here, many of whom are struggling to make a living. We also have a wonderful network of ginnels (alleyways) between the terraced houses which are currently just glorified rubbish dumps and we want to change this and bring people together. On 30 July 2017 our nine ginnels will be transformed into amazing event spaces to celebrate the arts and heritage of our neighbours,. Come and experience a West African Ginnel, with drumming and dance workshops and African food; a ginnel celebrating Jamaican culture, a Children's Ginnel, including games from around the world; Ginnel Grannies & Grandads, with elderly people sharing memories and advice; a Health and Wellbeing ginnel, a ginnel resembling a Syrian wedding with all the associated traditions and a ginnel showcasing the diverse music of the neighbourhood - all suggestions which have already been proposed!

What we'll deliver:

• Hold our very first Ginnel Gathering festival in the ginnels on 30 July 2017
• Select the nine best ideas, award small grants to the project leaders and support them in making their ideas happen.
• Invite professional local artists to work with volunteers in each ginnel for the day.
• Run training in event organisation for neighbours to realise their ideas.

Why it's a great idea:

The Ginnel Project and Gathering makes use of currently unused and unloved open spaces in neighbourhoods. It offers the potential to bring neighbours together with a shared vision and a little excitement and share creative ideas and skills, whilst contributing to the local creative economy. It celebrates the cultures in this neighbourhood. We have people of Asian, Caribbean and African backgrounds who have already expressed an interest in the project and neighbours have also already offered to provide branding and help with funding applications. Manchester City Council has also offered support in terms of materials to clean up the ginnels, networking and marketing.

Steps to get it done:

• 30 July 2017 - Produce the first Henderson Street Neighbourhood Ginnel Gathering
• 6th of July - Choose the final events for each nominated ginnel
• From 6th of July for 3 weeks- Market the festival through leaflets and posters around the local area and social networks
• 12th and 19th of July - Run event organisation workshops

It will promote cross cultural understanding and communication and reduce the potential for hate crime.