Michelle Bailey-Centre Manager
Michelle has been involved with the community of Hulme and Moss Side for a number of years. Her background includes working for local companies and DJ'ing on local radio, and assisting with staging events. These include Moss Side Carnival, St Wilfrid's fun days, and other events organised by Firmstart and local organisations. Michelle has worked for Firmstart for twelve years, helping to successfully provide office space at the St Wilfrid's and the Cornbrook Centres and participating in the regeneration of the area by organising business support events and promoting the commercial and social developments in the area. Michelle is an accomplished and qualified Business Administrator, managing the main office servicing the Firmstart team and the tenants of St Wilfrid's Centre. Michelle also organises and arranges all functions at the Centre, ranging from meetings and conferences, to exhibitions for Firmstart and other local organisations. Michelle has completed a Project Management Course and Counselling Course and is currently on her third year of a Btec Certificate in Photography.
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John Nancollis - Managing Director
Originally from Merseyside, John found himself in Manchester in the early eighties after a brief period of foreign travel and work, which followed psychology studies at Lancaster University. Development work with 'The Site' project (for youth and unemployed) in Manchester City Centre led him to meet promotors of The Churches' Work Scheme in Moss Side, from which Firmstart was established in 1986. Present responsibilities include oversight, development, and property and financial management. Other positions include directorships at Wesley Community Furniture and Arcspace Manchester, and John has property interests here and there. John's interests are many and varied but travel, music and the environment are favourites. Recycling. And cycling. (now !)
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Adam Mylchreest - Project Admin
Hello, I am Adam from Stretford, Manchester. I currently live in Urmston, I was born in 1985. Originally I left school and started an NVQ in motor mechanic's, I finished the course and worked in a few garages, after a year or two I decided that I wanted a change so I started work in building. I learnt many aspects of building from drainage all the way up to roofing. Unfortunatly the business I worked for ceased trading due to the recession. My interests include football, building and fixing computers, playing with my two beautiful little girls Leah and Amie, and driving my car.
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A number of staff members were recruited under The Future Job Fund. In 2010 the Government produced a scheme called Future Job Fund, it was a national scheme designed to provide work experience to unemployed 18 - 24 year olds (or in certain unemployment 'hotspots', .. all age groups. Firmstart has benefitted from a number of staff working under this scheme, the main criteria for placement within it being that the work would be of social benefit. The scheme which commenced early in 2010, was an early casualty of the new coalition government which was formed in the May 2010 General Election. Placements under future jobs fund will cease mid 2011.