Working in partnership for the festival

At the University of Manchester, we think working in partnership enhances our research, our teaching and learning, and our operations. Through our civic engagement, we connect with communities and organisations across Greater Manchester to share ideas and make a positive difference together.

At this year’s Universally Manchester Festival, we’re excited to work in collaboration with partners who bring creativity, innovation, and sustainability to life. As you move through the festival, we encourage you to meet our partners and engage in curious conversations and hands-on activities.

Pop along to the Alliance Manchester Business School, where we’re hosting the following partner interactive stands:

• Discover how cleaner air can help create a healthier future. Learn about Manchester’s UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning partnership and take part in fun activities – be prepared to get a little messy, but don’t worry, lab coats are provided!
• Build exciting gaming adventures with the Microsoft social mobility team using Minecraft, Artificial Intelligence and other digital technologies. Create environmentally friendly worlds, connect communities and put your creativity and musical talents to the test.
• Find out more about Aspire Recruitment, who help local people secure employment opportunities here at the University. You find will them alongside our Careers, Access and Success, and Graduation teams.

Drop in to University Place and meet the team from Innovation Factory. Explore how new ideas and research become real-world products and businesses. Learn about the challenges of starting a company – it’s not always as straightforward as they make it look on Dragons’ Den!

Check out our university-community allotment co-created with Ardwick Climate Action, who believe that action starts with community. Find out how biodiversity plays an important role in our everyday lives and plant sunflowers to take home!

And don’t forget to visit our cultural institutions Manchester Museum and the Whitworth who are hosting a vibrant programme of creative drop-in workshops in partnership with local community and charity organisations.

Create your own blue-and-white porcelain artwork, try South Asia-inspired foil embossing, share your Manchester stories with ‘Things That Go On Things’, and help imagine a fun public sculpture trail inspired by objects at Manchester Museum.

At the Whitworth little ones can enjoy the play space for the under 5’s or visitors can get crafty with ARTivists, Age Friendly volunteers to make paper flowers and masks. Meet artist in residence Sally Hirst, from Venture Arts, for a relaxed and cosy sensory story. Or create your own artworks inspired by galleries and collections in artist-led workshops with Whitworth Young Contemporaries, Creative Flex – Afrocats, and the Muslim Artists Academy.

And finally, don’t miss lively drumming sessions with Afrocats musician Godfrey Pambalipe, catch these at the Whitworth at 1pm or in the Nancy Rothwell Building as part of the Bee Curious programme at 4pm.

Bring the whole family and explore how growing green ideas, sparking innovation, and building community can all happen in one collective, inspiring space!