Nine Lives

nine lives logo

Nine Lives: the charitable fund of 9 St John Street Chambers

9 St John Street Chambers are extremely proud to have our own charitable fund, Nine Lives.

Nine Lives is a unique and special feature of our Chambers that reflects our proactive and compassionate collective spirit.

Since 2008, Nine Lives has supported local communities, activities, and projects across Greater Manchester. We have a long-standing partnership with Forever Manchester, who work with a wide range of community groups across the Greater Manchester area and we have raised over £120,000.

forever manchester supporter

To make a monthly donation please complete the form here and forward a copy to rachel.swift@9sjs.com


Nine Lives Charity Fund is delighted to announce we have helped support the following projects below over the last six months.

Friends of Astley Tots Plot is a volunteer led community group. Their mission is to develop Ley Rec (known locally as Tots Plot) to become a valuable green space that allows them to create and protect valuable wildlife habitat and become a community asset for recreation, sport, education, childcare, community events and community volunteering, known as Astley Community Hub Gardens. The group applied for funding to help develop the garden and growing area.

Old Moat Quids In help feed families on lower incomes and reduce food waste in Withington by redistributing good quality food to their members at a low cost. As well as supplying essential food items, they support members to make the most of what they get by sharing recipes and cooking tips. Old Moat Quids In applied for funding to top up their general food supplies.

Dancing with Dementia, based in Salford, provides a place where people with dementia, their families and carers can come together for social activities, however they now also welcome those who are socially isolated to the group also. Guests enjoy singing and dancing with friends and family, easing the loneliness that dementia can sometimes bring, members can also access other groups for help and support such as AGE UK who Dancing with Dementia work in partnership with.

The Breightmet Community Group in Bolton is a community organisation that fights poverty by providing free and low-cost children's clothes. They used their grant to establish a new parent and tot group, which would provide a space for connection and support for families. The grant was used to cover venue rental, toys, and essential supplies for the group. Their goal is to empower both the recipients and volunteers, fostering a stronger social network in Bolton.

AIM Northwest, a Wigan-based domestic abuse charity, provides support for both victims and perpetrators. They offer one-on-one guidance, weekly group meetings for women, and perpetrator programs to break the cycle of violence. Their funding is limited, and so the grant helped to cover basic needs and allow for additional support like workshops and self-defence classes. Their goal is to empower victims and reduce reliance on formal services.

The Andrew Street Pond Association is led by Mossley residents who have come together to transform a neglected plot of land into a wildlife haven with a pond. They requested funding to continue their work. They have already cleared the area and plan to create a waterfall, plant native plants and build a bug hotel. The project aims to benefit both people and wildlife and has already brought the community together and their main goal is to create a vibrant space for local residents and wildlife to coexist.

Sewing Sisters is based in Wigan.  It brings together women (men are welcome) from different nationalities, living locally, to have social sewing sessions.  There are language barriers but the group communicates through their sewing and they teach and swap skills such as crocheting, cardmaking, patchworking and quilting.  Genuine friendships have been formed and language skills improved because of this group and its numbers are increasing.  They requested funding for the repair of a machine and materials and room hire.

FACT (Families of Autistic Children Come Together) is based in Tameside.  It provides a place of respite for autistic children and their families, offering activities, emotional support, advice and helpful referrals. The group wished to hold a cycle club and requested funding to enable them to cover the weekly venue fee for privately hiring a track which will provide a safe environment to give the children an opportunity to learn how to cycle.

Pobinam Manchester offer experiences and support for black minority individuals and families originating from West Cameroon. Proud of their heritage, they have created a space where people can celebrate and engage with their culture, promoting a variety of sessions and support channels. They signpost those members who are refugees to additional support and education networks and provide a safe environment for them to flourish.  They requested funding towards food costs for a community BBQ event.


9 St John Street Chambers delighted to continue excellent working relationship with Forever Manchester

9 St John Street Chambers delighted to continue excellent working relationship with Forever Manchester

9 St John Street Chambers are delighted to continue our excellent working relationship with Forever Manchester to help raise money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester.

A special thank you to both Jean Mills and Rachel Hirst for their continued support over the last eleven years and to Elizabeth Murray who Heads the Nine Lives Committee.

It is a privilege to work in Chambers that supports and cares for the Greater Manchester Community.

It has also been an honour to have met so many volunteers within the different community groups who are all passionate and committed to helping and supporting the lives of people within their community.


Chambers are delighted to support the Wood Street Mission 2022

Chambers are delighted to support the Wood Street Mission 2021

"We just wanted to say a huge thank you to all at 9 St John Street for your generosity and such fantastic donations towards our Christmas Appeal again this year. What an amazing selection of gifts and treats which we know will give so many children the excitement and joy they deserve on Christmas Day. And for their parents and carers, a little less worry and the knowledge that someone cares enough to help at a really difficult time. We've seen over 1000 families visiting us to choose gifts these last few weeks and thanks to supporters like yourselves thousands of children will wake up in just a few day's time with wonderful presents to open."


10K Race for Barnabus

10K Race for Barnabus

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored the 9 St John Street runners who took part in the Manchester 10k race to help raise over £1,000 for the Barnabus foundation. Thank you to our members Vanessa Thomson, Matthew Curtis and Simon Blakebrough.


Chambers are delighted to support the Wood Street Mission 2021

Chambers are delighted to support the Wood Street Mission 2020

9 St John Street Chambers are delighted to support the Wood Street Mission 2021 Christmas Appeal by raising £1,165 which was used to buy presents and books for underprivileged children living in the Salford and Manchester area.


The 9 Lives Committee members were delighted to support the Forever Manchester 30th Annual Birthday Dinner on Friday 7 February 2020 held at the Palace Hotel in Manchester

The 9 Lives Committee members were delighted to support the Forever Manchester 30th Annual Birthday Dinner on Friday 7 February 2020 held at the Palace Hotel in Manchester


10th Anniversary of Nine Lives

Throughout 2019, 9 St John Street Chambers are celebrating a decade of our Nine Lives Community Fund. We want to raise more than ever before and to reach more people across Greater Manchester.

9 St John Street Chambers are delighted to be celebrating a decade of its charitable fund throughout the month of November. We are delighted to highlight the work of our fantastic partners and beneficiaries starting with Forever Manchester. Click here to view our flyer.

To donate right now, please visit our JustGiving page.


Wood Street Mission

Wood Street Mission Logo

“Over the recent years, the team have kindly supported the Wood Street Mission and our work supporting and helping struggling families across Manchester and Salford.
We feel very grateful that the team have chosen to collect toys and gifts for our families as part of our Christmas Appeal for several years now, for us to distribute and ensure that local children can have a happy Christmas like every child deserves.
Without the support of the local business community, including that of Nine St John Street Chambers, Wood Street Mission would be unable to make a difference to the lives of so many local families caught up in the poverty trap.
All involved at Wood Street Mission are thankful to have Chambers team on board championing our cause.
We look forward to many more years of working together.” 

Steph Edgar
Fundraising Lead


Barnabus

Barnabus logo

Barnabus is a frontline Manchester Homeless Charity providing a lifeline to rough sleepers and people with lived experience of homelessness.

We are blessed to have a great relationship with 9 SJS extending five years and we’re still in touch with some of the staff who continue to personally support us by running in the 10K every year or donate items to us.
9SJS have such compassion for their city and community.
Their Nine Lives Community Fund and their commitment to helping charities and communities locally is nothing short of astounding.
We are enormously thankful and blessed by their ongoing support.”

Carol Price
Fundraising Manager


Forever Manchester

Forever_Manchester.png

The Nine Lives Community Fund is proud to be associated with Forever Manchester the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester, which worked in partnership with chambers to establish the Fund.