Manchester Alliance for Community Care

The Community Network for Manchester (CN4M) is part of the Manchester Partnership that works specifically on behalf of voluntary and community groups. CN4M seeks to create a more powerful voice for the voluntary and community sectors in Manchester.

CN4M is made up of a range of networks - some of these are concerned with geographic areas of the city, the others are concerned with communities of interest. These include issues such as disability, black and minority ethnic communities, refugees and asylum seekers, the environment, transport, etc. MACC's four networks are all members of CN4M.

As an organisation, CN4M's objectives are

To encourage the linking together of the various networks of voluntary and community groups and organisations that exists in Manchester, to describe or map the relationships between them, and to address any gaps that may exist.
To facilitate consultation and discussion around policy and strategic issues throughout the sector in order to identify key issues and develop potential solutions, which can then be channelled through the appropriate decision-making structures.
To develop processes and mechanisms for the selection and accountability of voluntary and community sector membership of various joint bodies, including the Manchester Local Strategic Partnership.
To ensure effective 2-way communications with the widest range of voluntary and community groups in Manchester, providing opportunities for sharing information and good practice within the sector and encouraging the larger voluntary organisations to respond more effectively to the needs of community organisations and their users.
To reach out, especially to the most excluded communities in Manchester, to raise awareness about the Community Network and opportunities to become involved discussion around policy and strategic issues that directly influence service providers and other agencies.
To channel resources and support available to the sector to build the capacity of those parts of the sector in greatest need for development and participation in strategic decision-making.

More information about the Community Network for Manchester is available on their website at www.cn4m.net which includes contact details for the various networks:

geographic networks
communities of interest networks

You can contact CN4M at the following address:

Community Network For Manchester