Roma Create Together is a new programme of free, relaxed creative sessions for Roma families - a space to spend some time together, get creative and share food in a welcoming environment.
This work responds to a real need in our neighbourhood. Roma communities continue to face barriers around health, education and employment and we’re interested in how spaces like ours can play a small but practical role by creating something consistent and welcoming which doesn't currently exist elsewhere.
If you're a local Roma family, this programme is for you - the sessions are designed to be informal and flexible, with most sessions being after school drop-ins. We have developed Roma Create Together in partnership with Europia. We have a creative activity this coming week followed by a special Easter session coming soon.
Please feel free to share with anyone who might be interested.
All cities are shaped by the journeys that lead people to them.
Some are short - a few streets from one neighbourhood to another. Others cross continents, languages and whole lives before arriving somewhere new.
At a time when migration is so often talked about in the language of crisis, numbers and borders, it can be easy to forget that places like Manchester have always been shaped by people arriving from elsewhere and deciding to make a life here.
Arrivals, a brand new podcast from Levenshulme Old Library, is all about those journeys.
Across this series we speak with people who have come to Manchester from different countries and backgrounds, asking how they first found the city, what it meant to begin a life somewhere unfamiliar, and how a place slowly becomes home.
Levenshulme is one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in Manchester. In recent weeks it has also been the focus of a local by-election in which questions about community and identity have been the subject of national debate. Whatever the political moment, the reality on the ground is that Levenshulme is a warm and welcoming neighourhood which has long been shaped by people from many different countries, cultures and languages living alongside one another.
The stories in Arrivals reflect this day-to-day reality. Each conversation is a small piece of a much larger map - a portrait of the city shaped by the people who have chosen to build a future here.
Arrivals is out now - you can listen online or wherever you find podcasts. LINK IN BIO.
We’ll also be marking the launch this Sunday at This Must Be The Place, a free community event at Levenshulme Old Library, where people can come together, share food and stories, and spend time in Manchester's oldest Carnegie building.
📍 This Must Be The Place
Sunday 15 March, 2pm-5pm
Free to attend
Find out more via the link in our bio.
Looking for rehearsal space in South Manchester?
Did you know that here Levenshulme Old Library we have a space which is large and flexible and affordable?
Not only that, it's also equipped with things like:
- PA system and microphones
- cinema projector and screen
- stage lighting
- tables and chairs
- kitchen access
- a piano!
Our main space is particularly suited to groups looking for somewhere relaxed and adaptable where you can spread out, move things around and properly work through ideas during the day.
If you’re making theatre, performance or live work and need space, either drop us a message or email [email protected]
More info via the link in our bio
We’re really pleased to share that Kahaaniya will continue at Levenshulme Old Library thanks to support from the Granada Foundation.
Kahaaniya is our free bilingual early years storytelling project for South Asian mothers and carers and their 0-4s, bringing together stories, songs, play and creative activity in Urdu and English in a warm, welcoming environment.
The sessions have become a lovely part of the building’s weekly rhythm over recent months, with families meeting others, building their little ones' confidence around literacy and spending time together without cost being a barrier.
We're really keen to do what we can to ensure everyone feels welcome in our neighbourhood, regardless of their background or circumstances. Accessible early years activities are absolutely crucial for parents of younger kids, especially at a time when so many families are under increasing pressure. We also just love these sessions! So we’re incredibly grateful to the Granada Foundation for helping us continue the project.
📍 Levenshulme Old Library
📅 Every Tuesday during term time
🕙 10am-11:30am
☕ Free breakfast provided
🎟 Just drop in - no booking needed
Huge thanks again to The Granada Foundation for supporting the project.
Just a quick reminder that there’s no LOL Art Club session this coming Monday - we’ll be back with LOL Writing Club on Monday 25th May.
LOL Art Club has ended up becoming one of the most important parts of what happens here at Levenshulme Old Library. Across sessions like Stitch Club, Collage Club, Zine Club and Writing Club, people come together each week to make things, share and learn new skills and spend time creatively with others in a low-pressure, welcoming environment - and all for free!
In the years we've been running these sessions we've seen people build confidence, shake off isolation and become part of the wider creative community.
Stuff like this - fun, creative, reliable, high-quality activity which doesn’t cost anything to come and get involved with - can only happen because places like Levenshulme Old Library work to make it happen. But places like this are also increasingly under pressure, with day-to-day running costs continuing to rise while there's less support to go round. At the moment we get by through a mix of hires, grants and community donations.
So while there’s no session this week, if Art Club (or what takes place in the building more generally) has meant something to you, please consider making a donation if you can.
Every contribution helps us keep the building open, active and accessible for the community.
Head to the DONATE link in our linktree.
Making light work of weekday mornings 🌤️
One of the great things about running our building is seeing the range of things people use it for - school workshops, community gatherings, away days, craft groups, music rehearsals, support sessions, kids activities and all sorts of other neighbourhood activity.
The building always feels at its best when it’s busy with people making and doing stuff, sharing ideas, learning new skills or simply spending time together.
If you’re someone looking for space to bring people together, try something out, run a session or develop an idea, we currently have daytime slots available on Mondays and Friday afternoons, and would love to hear from people looking for somewhere to run something thoughtful, useful or creative in the neighbourhood.
Drop us a message or email us - [email protected]
More info via the link in our bio.
Give your broken gadgets a second squeal of life at Levenshulme Repair Cafe which returns to Levenshulme Old Library this weekend.
Bring along broken or worn-out household items and the volunteer repair team will work their magic - from small electricals and clothing repairs to general fixes and troubleshooting.
Levenshulme Repair Cafe is all about less waste, more shared knowledge, and a chance to keep useful things going a bit longer rather than throwing them away.
Tea, coffee and conversation available too!
This Saturday, 10am-12pm at Levenshulme Old Library
This Wednesday we have another of our Roma Create Together sessions with an afternoon of creative play, colourful crafts and relaxed family activity in Levenshulme Old Library.
Children will be able to decorate mini canvases, make artwork and take part in simple hands-on activities - all in an informal space designed for families to spend time together, get creative and meet one another.
The session is part of our Roma Create Together programme, supporting regular community activity and creating space for Roma families in Levenshulme and its neighbouring districts.
It's free to attend and there free snacks and drinks available throughout the afternoon.
3pm, Wednesday 13th May - free to attend.
More info via the link in our bio.
A small room has become available to rent here at Levenshulme Old Library.
It’s not massive, but it’s bright and quiet and would suit someone looking for an affordable base in the neighbourhood - whether that’s somewhere to store equipment, work or simply have a space of your own.
Based in our community-run arts building here in Levenshulme.
Rates start at £200 per month for storage use or £250 per month for office use, including bills.
If you’re interested, drop us a message or email [email protected]
OUR TRINKET BOX IS READY FOR TRADING 🌟🥹💗
we’re so excited to create something for everyone to enjoy and so ready to get trading !!!!
You can find the trinket box at @levyoldlibrary and the rules are super simple. Take a trinket, leave a trinket 💫
Enjoy 🧡
#manchester #trinketbox #trinkets #crafts #levenshulme
Tomorrow evening is Stitch Club - one of the sessions that make up our weekly Art Club programme at Levenshulme Old Library.
It’s a relaxed, welcoming space for sewing, mending, embroidery, textile projects, or simply learning as you go. Some people arrive with a project already underway, others come along just to try something new and spend a couple of hours making alongside other people.
No experience needed and materials and equipment are all provided.
LOL Art Club is a programme of weekly creative sessions for adults, with different sessions focused on different creative practices. All are free to attend, although booking is essential and donations are very much encouraged to help keep the sessions and our other activities accessible and ongoing.
LINK IN BIO
One week, seven sleeps, 169 hours to go until our kinda-first-birthday dance!!
Come celebrate with us! JBird on the decks, playing epic rhythms, Elliot Slater on the saxophone elevating the vibe, live percussion, free tea and snacks, cosy corner with art supplies, and the opportunity to meet your tribe!
🎟 start from just £9.99 - linkinbio
We can't wait to see you!
🕺💃✨️
Love and Beats,
Naomi and Emma xx
