Cheetham Hill is a ward within Greater Manchester which is densely populated and ethnically
diverse.
Cheetham Hill Advice Centre was founded by local residents and members of the Halliwell Lane
Action Area in 1975. The Halliwell Lane Action Area was formed by a group of local residents to
give each other advice on the problems they were commonly facing over re-housing.
In 1976 the government announced a job creation scheme Urban Aid and the group applied for
the funding to pay for two workers. Cheetham Hill Advice Centre was formed and they were
offered premises in an office above a local pub.
In 1977 after a local campaign, Manchester Town Hall agreed for CHAC to have premises in the
basement of the Old Library Building on Cheetham Hill Road in Cheetham Hill Manchester.
In 1978 CHAC began receiving funding by the Urban Aid program which was a culmination of
money from Manchester Social Services and the Department of the Environment. This allowed
CHAC to employ a Research Worker and an Administrative Worker.
In 1983 the Urban Aid funding expired and CHAC battled for funds to carry on its work.
Manchester City Council agreed to extend the Urban Aid Grant.
By 1989 the Department of The Environment cut their portion of funding and CHAC became
funded by Manchester City Council.
During the early years CHAC developed clear aims and objectives which came as a direct response
to meeting the needs of the local community. CHAC's aims which have remained throughout are
to promote charitable purposes for the relief of the community and to help relieve poverty,
distress and sickness in particular supporting vulnerable people, the elderly, those living with
disabilities and asylum seekers.
CHAC gives advice on debt, immigration, housing and benefits to those who have little knowledge
about UK laws. They also deliver volunteer training programs to tackle the problem of
unemployment in the local area. CHAC has in the past organised campaigns against social security
cuts and campaign on behalf of a staff member who was threatened with deportation.
In 1993 CHAC moved to larger premises at Alderford Parade on the border of Crumpsall due to
increased demand for services and inadequate working conditions. CHAC experienced problems
with vandalism and a reduction in drop in advice as clients struggled to access the new location.
CHAC became stretched in offering extra advice sessions closer to their original location of the Old
Library.
In 1999 due to planned demolition of Alderford Parade by Manchester City Council, CHAC moved to their
current premises on Moorfield Avenue, Cheetham Hill.
CHAC has continued to grow as an organisation despite facing adversity due to inadequate
working conditions, near insolvency, lack of funding and frequent staff changes. Staff remained
committed and dedicated to CHAC's mission; putting the needs of the local people first whilst
continuously keeping up to date with complex U.K laws and welfare changes. This collection
demonstrates the impact felt by communities caused by the governments changing economic
policies and also illustrates how CHAC's work has been shaped by social, economic and legislative
changes.
The main themes within this collection are:
- The commitment to the community.
- The need to secure better premises.
- The need to secure long term funding.
- Communicating the needs of the local people to the policy makers and game changers.
