Here is some news about a new project we are working on at SPARC, an important new project helping men with depression.
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/despair-tortured-demons-chris-platt-14580097
Category: Uncategorized
Champions Again!
Some more amazing news about our Football Team SPARC United.
We are really pleased to announce our football team, currently on a winning streak have won “The Good Mood” 5 a side tournament in Huddersfield, Yorkshire on Wednesday 14th March, we played four games against other mental health organisations and won all four.
Report & Accounts 2016/17
A bit late here, but here is a copy of our 2017 Report & Accounts as a PDF which has been available for a while as a printed document, the front section tells you all about SPARC and what has been going on, the back section is full of our financial figures. SPARC 2016/17 Report and Accounts
SPARC UNITED – Semi Finals
We are chuffed to bits to announce our football team SPARC UNITED are through to the semi-finals of the FA Peoples Cup – Adult Male Premiership Disability League.
The game will be held at Powerleague Manchester Central on the 25th March at 2pm.
Men Who Experience Mental Distress
SPARC is pleased to announce that as from April we will be developing a new project aimed at supporting men who experience mental distress. This project is being made possible with support from the Equity Foundation.
We will report on developments in the future.
Happy New Year
Hi all here at SPARC would like to wish all our friends and supporters a very happy and healthy 2018. We enjoyed a lovely festive season with the highlight being our party on the 19th December featuring a music set from our regular musicians and the ever energetic Kevs disco.
Now we have a busy year planned ahead and we will kick off next week with the reopening of our cafe and our 11 week IT course begins next Tuesday along with all our regular activities such as music, art, textiles. Watch out for more news of featured groups in the coming weeks.
Support from the Business Sector.
I am pleased to announce that we have today received a donation of £500 from Aquarium Software Ltd who have raised money for SPARC through a series of events throughout the year.
Statement from Aquarium Charities Co-ordinator
‘We have been incredibly proud to be able to fundraise for such a worthy cause and we look forward to continuing to do so next year, with an increased drive and hopefully even more success!’
And the winners are…………..
SPARC United
As part of World Mental Health day Nick (team member of SPARC United) brought together a few SPARC United players and entered the Burton Albion football tournament held in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. This was a whole day event having to be at the train station at 8.00am with tickets costing £54.00. They played 6 games in total: 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, and they returned champions ‘again’. 
Lets look at the SPARC football group!
Each Friday at 1:45pm till 4:00pm come rain or shine down at Power League off Didsbury Road, between 8 – 14 members turn up for a friendly game of football.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s competitive in a friendly and safe manner.
It is a stimulating way to keep fit and healthy. Exercise is a great way to take your mind away from all types of mental stress/worries, freeing you up for a few hours.
Our Friday football group has grown not only in numbers but in confidence over the past few years, so much so that some of the players have asked for more competitive games. Thus SPARC joined the East Cheshire Ability Counts League, becoming ‘SPARC United’ and winning the championship in our inaugural season.
Cheshire East Premiership
League Table
| POS | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | SPARC United | 21 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 54 |
| 2 | Stockport CP Tigers | 21 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 32 | 49 |
| 3 | Manchester City Amps | 21 | 8 | 1 | 12 | -15 | 25 |
| 4 | Stockport County FC | 21 | 3 | 0 | 18 | -30 | 9 |
| 5 | Stalybridge Celtic Blues | 12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | -27 | 3 |
The team are now entering themselves into more tournaments (and winning) which is great. They are a credit to SPARC and we are very proud of their performance and the way they support and encourage each person to participate at their own individual level.
More photos and info to follow………………
Lets look at the SPARC IT Course!
The SPARC IT Course has now been running for many years with the expert guidance from 2 of our fabulous volunteers. The course offers individuals the opportunity to learn at their own pace and to focus on your own personal interests. The course runs for 11 weeks each term and priority for places is given to new people however there is the opportunity to do more than 1 course. This terms course begins next Tuesday and is now full however if you would like to be considered for any future courses then please speak to a member of staff or ring the office.