The Jewish Blind Society, Manchester Branch, was formed following discussions between Louis M Glancy and the Honorary Officers of the London Jewish Blind Society. The inaugural meeting was held on 3rd July 1951.

Louis Glancy House for the Blind based at 10 Bignor Street, Cheetham Hill opened on 14th June 1953. Open four days a week. Handicraft lessons were particularly popular.

Meals on Wheels service introduced. All housebound blind people received a minimum of four meals per week, prepared at Louis Glancy House by the Ladies of the House Committee and Rota, delivered by volunteers. Holiday breaks were arranged for members at the Dolly Ross Holiday Home in Margate.

In the early eighties the Society cared for over 160 visually impaired people. Manchester House in Southport housed 32 permanent residents.  In addition, members from the North and some from the South of the country were able to spend 2 weeks at the seaside home. The Victorian Louis Glancy House in Middleton Road grew into a state of disrepair, and was demolished in 1985. A new purpose built facility was built on the grounds; during the building period the club was relocated to Levi House.

The Jewish Blind Society merged with the Jewish Welfare Board to become Jewish Care. MJBS therefore became part of Jewish Care. Manchester House in Southport was sold to a private residential care provider. The organisation became autonomous in 1993. The Northern Jewish Talking Newspaper was established in partnership with the League of Jewish Women. The remit of the organisation changed. Due to advances in the treatment of visual impairment, there were less people suffering from this disability. The organisation focused on the needs of older and disabled people. The name of the organisation was changed to Manchester Jewish Community Care.

The Centre continued to expand the scale and scope of its provision of care to older and disabled people. A memorial garden was established at the rear of the Centre. An art exhibition celebrating members’ work was arranged; it has become an annual event. The service became more streamlined and professional, and evolved into the organisation as it is today. The activities on offer are diverse and designed to stimulate mind and body. A range of exercise classes- to appeal to differing tastes and abilities- is available three times/ week. Art classes are available daily, computer classes are run twice a week. There is live entertainment every day. Discussion and Reminiscence sessions are very popular. Meals on Wheels provide 150 meals per week to those unable to cater for themselves. The increase in the incidence of dementia is reflected in the membership; the organisation has responded to this by providing state of the art training to staff and carers of people suffering from dementia related illnesses.

The Nicky Loose Women

THE NICKY TO REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Following ongoing advice from Public Health England, the local authority and its medical advisors, The Nicky Alliance Centre is to remain open during the current COVID-19 crisis until further notice. Chief Executive, Michelle Wiseman, said: “We are monitoring the situation on an hourly basis and will continue taking appropriate professional, medical and government advice. On Friday the UK’s Chief Medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty said he warned against prematurely cutting down social interactions for elderly or vulnerable people as it has big practical implications and may lead to loneliness and other issues which are clearly very undesirable for them.’ “We are being vigilant and taking all recommended precautionary measures. Contingency plans have been drawn up and are in place should the situation deteriorate and closure becomes necessary. Should this happen we will still provide support to our members where needed. We will continue with our Meals on Wheels service as well as basic grocery provisions, which we will extend to all our members. We also plan to have a Kosher le Pesach kitchen in which we will make Kosher for Pesach meals for our existing members and meals on wheels recipients together with those in the wider community. “We are not residential and for many of our members we are their link to the outside world and we play a major part in their social lives. Closure will be a last resort but if this step needs to be taken plans are being made to provide an essential shopping service for our less able members in addition to Meals on Wheels service. We continue to monitor the situation.” Ends