Aquarius Community Savers – 2025!

At Community Savers, we believe that the people who live in a neighborhood are the best experts on what that neighborhood needs. This year Aquarius Community Savers (ACS) has proven that principle tenfold. Here is a look at what we’ve achieved by working together with many other local partners.

Protecting the Heart of Hulme: Aquarius Community Centre

The Aquarius Community Centre is more than just a building; it’s a lifeline. With One Manchester’s lease ending in 2027, the Friends of Aquarius Community Centre campaign has been working to ensure it remains a community-led hub.

We are thrilled to share that Odd Arts has submitted a formal proposal to take on the lease. Their plan isn’t just about management—it’s a commitment to a “community-led decision-making” model that keeps the power in the hands of residents and local partners.

Housing Justice: The Social Housing Commission

Our members, Bernard Sudlow and Sally Casey, have been the voices of the Aquarius estate on the Social Housing Commission. Their advocacy is moving the needle on systemic change:

• A Win for Social Housing: Thanks to persistent advocacy, the target for social rented homes in new developments has jumped from less than 5% affordable or social rent to 21% social rent in the draft local plan. We continue to push for the 30% goal advocated for by Social Homes for Manchester.
• Defending Our Neighbourhood: We successfully secured recognition of the Aquarius estate as a residential area in the new draft Local Plan for Manchester, a vital step forward in protecting our facilities from being swallowed by city centre expansion.

Knowledge is Power: Training & Exchanges

Building a resilient community requires skills. This year, ACS members completed training in Conflict Management, Financial management, and Fundraising. In July, a highlight was our learning exchange to https://ambitionlw.org/Ambition Lawrence Weston in Bristol. Seeing their success with community-led renewable energy and asset management sparked fresh ideas for what we can achieve right here in Greater Manchester.

Ageing Well in Place in Hulme

The Ageing Well in Place initiative is transforming how we support our older and more vulnerable neighbours in Hopton and Meredith Court.

• New staff members: We welcomed Roísín, our Development Worker, in 2025, and we are excited to appoint an Independent Living Worker in Spring 2026.
• Health Integration: Our new partnership with Cornbrook Medical Practice ensures that health services are integrated directly into our community work.
• The “Naturally Occurring Retirement Community” (NORC) Model: We are bringing services to the people, making it easier for residents to stay independent and connected.

A New Space for Connection

After five years of campaigning, the Hopton community space is finally under construction! While planning delays have shifted the opening date, the vision remains clear. The space will be managed by the newly formed Hopton and Meredith Tenants and Residents Association (HMTARA).

Planned activities include:

• The Breakfast Club: Already serving 23 people every weekend (with deliveries for those who can’t leave their flats).
• Wellness & Skills: From Tai Chi and music workshops to IT clubs and DIY sessions.

Savings and Safety Nets

Aquarius Community Savers continued to support our community to put away small amounts for particular goals throughout 2025. We now have 35 regular members in the savings club who deposited a total of £7,152 in savings in 2025! We also continue to manage a Crisis Fund for those in urgent need. Whether it’s fuel top-ups, a weekly food shop, or essential furniture, our committee is here to help. Referrals are handled with care and can be kept anonymous.

We are looking forward to continuing this progress in 2026!