Partisan Players
Partisan Players meet for their first session on Sunday 28th September in the Partisan Office, 2-5.30pm.
We'll be doing play readings (reading out loud through a script and having a chat about it afterwards) We will also have a general discussion on future plans and purpose of the group. Beginners super welcome and encouraged to join! No previous experience necessary!
A Zine for Radical Manchester
Partisan Collective and Cooperation Manchester buddy up to collate a zine resource in time for The World Transformed to be published and shared with visitors and local alike. The zine is a living, ever-evolving record of alternative, radical, DIY spaces in Manchester and forms a testament of action in our city as well as a guide for people to get involved.
This is the inaugural idea-finding and collaborative brainstorming session as part of the project. If you are interested in getting involved email info@partisancollective.net
Please note: Due to refurbishments this event will not take place at the Salutation Pub but at Sandbar instead. For access information and to confirm your attendance please email lisa@partisancollective.org
Hope Without Hope Book Talk
Matt Broomfield introduces his new book ‘Hope without hope: Rojava and revolutionary commitment’, kindly supported by the Manchester Pride Library.
The militants of Rojava, and the autonomous society they've built, teach us how to kindle hope for the tireless fight against oppression.Drawing on three years living and working in Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan), journalist Matt Broomfield argues the militant Kurdish movement can help the Western left relearn its commitment to hope in hopeless times. The bloodshed and chaos of the Syrian Civil War have paradoxically produced our generation's most significant revolution. Firsthand observations from the heart of Rojava's movement inform Broomfield's critical engagement with its theory and practice and, inevitably, its compromises and contradictions. In the face of crises set to define the coming century--proxy conflict, resource competition, state collapse, climate catastrophe--the Kurdish movement has produced an unexpected, utopian response: an autonomous society organized outside of the nation-state, run by direct democracy and along feminist and ecological principles, surviving despite overwhelming military opposition.
The revolutionary movement of Rojava and its people shed light on struggle, strategy, and endurance--how and why to fight for revolution in the face of nearly impossible odds. Hope Without Hope carries on the long tradition of history, absurdist philosophy, and radical thought that has studied how anti-fascist and anti-colonial movements answer defeat and repression with a revolutionary faith in transformation. Only by understanding this history can we pursue the steadfast work of organizing for long-term revolutionary change in our seemingly hopeless age.
RISO Club Planning Meeting
This is the first planning session to decide how we will run RISO Club in our new space. It’s a good chance for inducted members to come see the space and learn more about how to access the building during core open hours. We will talk about future projects and how RISO Club can help other Clubs and Working Groups with print projects.
Partisan Reading Group
The next Partisan Political Reading Group session will be on the 7th September 3-5pm at Bridge 5 Mill.
We will be discussing the Rojavan revolution and Matt Broomfield’s new book ‘Hope without hope: Rojava and revolutionary commitment’, as well as other texts including works by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan that were kindly provided by the Pride Library.
On Monday 8th, Matt will be doing a book talk with Partisan at B5M 7-9pm.
Don't worry if you don't feel like an 'expert' - we'll be learning about the revolution together from the beginning :). No silly questions, no prior knowledge assumed!
For the full reading list join the WhatsApp community or email us!
info@partisancollective.net
Film Club
Join the Partisan Cinema team on Thursday 28th August to watch a film, see how the projector looks in Bridge 5 Mill and chat about our big plans in our new space!
Partisan members only / BYOB / screening starts at 7pm
Alternative f*ck the pride parade members social
Enjoy a chilled social with your pals at Partisan over pride weekend! This event is members only.
Partisan Football - Beginners special!
Special edition of our weekly football session - all about welcoming newbies! We’ll be doing drills and having a go at a game. If you’ve never kicked a ball before, or haven’t for a while, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a go!
Every Friday, 6.30 - 7.30pm. It’s pay to play (£5 a session or whatever you can afford).
If you’re already in our WhatsApp community, just join the ‘Partisan Football’ chat and say hello.
Partisan Reading Group
All welcome! If you have any questions, please email info@partisancollective.net <3 Please join the Reading Group via the Partisan WhatsApp in advance.
Intro to our space
Come for a chilled afternoon learning about Partisan, our new space, and how you can get involved!
Folk Club
Partisan Folk Club is a place for sharing and learning folk songs.
Everyone is welcome to sing or bring and instrument, or just sit back and enjoy the music.
General Meeting
oin us to discuss next steps for our programming at our new home Bridge 5 Mill!
We’re super excited for this new chapter and would love to see lots of old and new faces at this in-person meeting. Help us shape Partisan’s future! The organisation is carried by its membership - so don’t be shy and get your voice heard. It’s a perfect place to learn new things and inspire others with your skills. Curious ahead and want to know more? Email us info@partisancollective.net.
This is a members’ general meeting and signing up for membership is encouraged but likewise you’re super welcome to just test the waters and see if it’s your cup of tea before signing up. We’re looking forward to see you there!
Tuesday 29th July 2025
7 - 8.30pm (with social afterwards)
Bridge 5 Mill, 22A Beswick St, Manchester M4 7HR
RISO Club
Want to learn about RISO printing and or get more confident in using Partisan’s EZ model? Come along to this refresher group session. Let Lisa know if you want to join so we can plan accordingly and allocate time slots. lisa@partisancollective.org
Runs every second Tuesday and fourth Monday of the month.
Until we move this will be at the Working Class Movement Library annex, 6 - 7.30pm.
Partisan Football
Do you want to play very casual, very fun 5-a-side football on a Friday evening? Join us!
We’re very keen for newbies/complete beginners - if you’ve never played football before, or haven’t for a long time, we provide a fun and supportive environment to give it a go!
Mixed gender, mixed ability but the vibe very much favours newbies to develop their football skills!
We usually do a drill followed by 45min of playing time.
Every Friday, 6.30 - 7.30pm. It’s pay to play (£5 a session or whatever you can afford).
If you’re already in our WhatsApp community, just join the ‘Partisan Football’ chat and say hello. If you’re not yet here’s a join link or if have any questions just send us an email info@partisancollective.net
Join Link for Partisan WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/I52tqlRJjjw88r06Gw3mpT
Partisan Football
Do you want to play very casual, very fun 5-a-side football on a Friday evening? Join us!
We’re very keen for newbies/complete beginners - if you’ve never played football before, or haven’t for a long time, we provide a fun and supportive environment to give it a go!
Mixed gender, mixed ability but the vibe very much favours newbies to develop their football skills!
We usually do a drill followed by 45min of playing time.
Every Friday, 6.30 - 7.30pm. It’s pay to play (£5 a session or whatever you can afford).
If you’re already in our WhatsApp community, just join the ‘Partisan Football’ chat and say hello. If you’re not yet here’s a join link or if have any questions just send us an email info@partisancollective.net
Join Link for Partisan WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/I52tqlRJjjw88r06Gw3mpT
Reading Group
Reading Group Focus Friendship (Session 2): Let’s read about friendship and explore what it means to us and how we can understand it better.
All welcome! If you have any questions, please email info@partisancollective.net <3 Please join the Reading Group via the Partisan WhatsApp in advance. We’ll let people know there in which part of HOME we’re gathering.
Join Link for Partisan WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/I52tqlRJjjw88r06Gw3mpT
Meeting at HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN
Sunday 13th July 2025
3 - 5pm
Required (and accessible) reading: Sophie K Rosa column ‘How do I make Friends in the Cold Heart of the Capitalist Machine’
https://novaramedia.com/2023/12/13/how-do-i-make-friends-in-the-cold-heart-of-the-capitalist-machine/
Optional reading:
Leah Claire Allen and John S. Garrison, Against friendship, p227-247 in Queer Kinship: Race, Sex, Belonging, Form (this engages in part with Foucault's Friendship as a Way of Life)
Elizabeth Fraser, Mary Wollstonecraft on Politics and Friendship, 16 pages
Aragorn! Against Friendship (v short online article) https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/aragorn-against-friendship
Derrida on the Politics of Friendship, summaries here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGKuEgVj3GI&ab_channel=EssensBookSummaries and https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/blogs/news/4882-the-politics-of-friendship?_pos=1&_psq=friendship&_ss=e&_v=1.0
Partisan Football
Do you want to play very casual, very fun 5-a-side football on a Friday evening? Join us!
We’re very keen for newbies/complete beginners - if you’ve never played football before, or haven’t for a long time, we provide a fun and supportive environment to give it a go!
Mixed gender, mixed ability but the vibe very much favours newbies to develop their football skills!
We usually do a drill followed by 45min of playing time.
Every Friday, 6.30 - 7.30pm. It’s pay to play (£5 a session or whatever you can afford).
If you’re already in our WhatsApp community, just join the ‘Partisan Football’ chat and say hello. If you’re not yet here’s a join link or if have any questions just send us an email info@partisancollective.net
Join Link for Partisan WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/I52tqlRJjjw88r06Gw3mpT
RISO Club
Want to learn about RISO printing and or get more confident in using Partisan’s EZ model? Come along to this refresher group session. Let Lisa know if you want to join so we can plan accordingly and allocate time slots. lisa@partisancollective.org
Runs every second Tuesday and fourth Monday of the month.
Until we move this will be at the Working Class Movement Library annex, 6 - 7.30pm.
Partisan Football
Do you want to play very casual, very fun 5-a-side football on a Friday evening? Join us!
We’re very keen for newbies/complete beginners - if you’ve never played football before, or haven’t for a long time, we provide a fun and supportive environment to give it a go!
Mixed gender, mixed ability but the vibe very much favours newbies to develop their football skills!
We usually do a drill followed by 45min of playing time.
Every Friday, 6.30 - 7.30pm. It’s pay to play (£5 a session or whatever you can afford).
If you’re already in our WhatsApp community, just join the ‘Partisan Football’ chat and say hello. If you’re not yet here’s a join link or if have any questions just send us an email info@partisancollective.net
Join Link for Partisan WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/I52tqlRJjjw88r06Gw3mpT
Communications Working Group – June Meeting
Join our Communications Working Group for an online meeting to discuss this month’s priorities. Visit our WhatsApp group for more info including login details.
General Meeting
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
HUGE UPDATE! WE MIGHT HAVE A NEW HOME!!
Join us on 20th May to look around our possible new home - Bridge 5 Mill!
Partisan members have been working behind the scenes to find the right home for our collective, and we think this might be it, but we want to invite all members to have a look and decide collectively.
Bridge 5 Mill, 22A Beswick Street, M4 7HR
Tuesday 20th May
Look around from 6pm
Meeting: 6:30-8:30pm
Now is a really exciting time to become a Partisan member, or rejoin us. If you haven’t already, become a member and be part of our next chapter. This way you can have your say at our general meeting, and be sure you’re supporting making this next step a reality.
Access info - B5M has a lift which is currently being repaired, with expected completion date in the next few months. If you would like to join us in person, the room we have booked is down three steps or we can move the meeting to the outside space which is physically accessible but has no toilet access. Alternatively we will provide a zoom link to join to all members via email, and can do video tours of the space ahead of the meeting for anyone who would like one.
Communications Working Group – May Meeting
Join our Communications Working Group for an online meeting to discuss this month’s priorities. Visit our WhatsApp group for more info including login details.
Communications Working Group – April Meeting
Join our Communications Working Group for an online meeting to discuss this month’s priorities. Visit our WhatsApp group for more info including login details.
CANCELLED! - Exclusive Author Chat - Partisan Political Reading Group
APOLOGIES BUT THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED - IT WILL BE RESCHEDULED, HOPEFULLY IN MAY OR AT THE BEGINNING OF JUNE
Partisan Political Reading group are hosting an exclusive chat with ME O’Brien and Eman Abdelhadi, the author of Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune 2052-2072.
Past and future reading group attendees all welcome.
4pm at the WCML Annex
Sunday 20th April
Partisan Members Social
You’re invited to our next members social on *Saturday 5th April, 4-6pm* at the Working Class Movement Library (annex building).
We will be playing board games (and table tennis if anyone feels sporty!), sharing snacks and drinks, and getting to know each other in a very relaxed way. If you’re a newer member it’s also a great chance to find out more about Partisan and what you can get involved in. And it should also just be some lovely irl fun 🤞
Please bring any board games you’d like to share, that will be super helpful 🎲
Any questions or access requests, message us. Hopefully see you there!
Communications Working Group – March Meeting
Join our Communications Working Group for an online meeting to discuss this month’s priorities. Visit our WhatsApp group for more info including login details.
Partisan Folk Club
Partisan Folk Club is a place for sharing and learning folk songs.
Everyone is welcome to sing or bring an instrument, or just sit back and enjoy the music.
It’s free, and you can bring your own booze, soft drinks, snacks and food.
Next session:
📅 Thursday 20 March
⏰ 7pm
📍 @wcmlibrary
Communications Working Group – February Meeting
Join our Communications Working Group for an online meeting to discuss this month’s priorities. Visit our WhatsApp group for more info including login details.