Live Well in Stockport Fund launches

The Live Well in Stockport fund has launched, and will invest £450,000 into the heart of Stockport communities, to support residents to live healthy, happy lives.

Live Well, Greater Manchester’s city-region vision, is about communities leading the way, with public services supporting them. Rather than services deciding what people need from the top down, local people are encouraged and supported to shape and create their own solutions. The aim is to make everyday help available in every neighbourhood. 

In Stockport, Live Well is focused on helping communities to thrive. It promotes neighbourhood support services as the first place people turn to for help, so issues can be addressed early, and more serious health problems can be prevented. 

The Live Well in Stockport Fund, facilitated by Sector 3 and funded through Stockport Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, is designed to help make this vision a reality. It is part of the wider One Stockport: One Future vision and supports voluntary, community, faith-based and social enterprise organisations to deliver local activity that improves health and wellbeing, reduces inequalities and helps people live happy, independent lives in their communities. Crucially, it has been co-designed with voluntary and community organisations, ensuring that it reflects the experience, insight and priorities of the sector as well as the needs of residents. 

Jo McGrath, Chief Executive of Sector 3 said:

“We are proud to deliver this fund and even more so to introduce two-year funding (subject to reporting), directly responding to organisations’ needs. This approach will provide greater security for residents accessing services and strengthen financial stability for funded organisations. It also represents a meaningful step toward embedding community organisations in longer-term commissioning conversations, recognising their expertise and positioning them as genuine partners in shaping local services, not just short-term delivery agents.”

Cllr Dan Oliver , Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection said:

“The Live Well in Stockport Fund is a key step in delivering our ambition for Stockport to be a place where everyone can live happy, healthy and connected lives. By investing directly in our voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector, we are recognising the vital role they play in providing early help, preventing crisis, and strengthening communities. This fund will support local organisations to build on what already works, reach those facing the greatest challenges, and empower residents to shape solutions in their own neighbourhoods. It is a strong example of how we are working in partnership to deliver our Live Well ambitions while strengthening the long-term sustainability and impact of our VCFSE sector.”

The fund builds on last year’s Live Well Pilot Fund, facilitated by Sector 3 and supported by NHS Greater Manchester, which funded 27 community programmes, benefitting 277 residents. The pilot gave organisations the opportunity to test new ideas and provided valuable feedback from the sector to shape how the fund works. 

Feedback from recipients of the Live Well Pilot Fund was positive: Steve Flyn from BOOST CIC, said:

“Thanks for the support given for this particular project which really has had a transformational effect not just on the participants, but on the way that BOOST now designs and develops its offer.” 

Jen Samani, Make Build Grow, said:

“We have gained more volunteers as a result of this project (of all generations) as people have really appreciated sharing their skills and having that opportunity to connect through that way.” 

Following feedback from voluntary & community organisations, Sector 3 and Stockport Council have made the  decision to commit to two-year funding for successful projects, a vital step forward in offering more stability for voluntary & community organisations and service users. 

How much is available?

The Live Well in Stockport Fund is broken down into three tiers, funding a minimum of 30 recipients: 

Tier 1:£1,000-£5,000
Tier 2: £5,000 – £15,000 per year
Tier 3: £15,000 – £30,000 per year 

Using insight and feedback from previous funds, Stockport VCFSE Alliance and more, the fund’s priorities have been identified as: 

1. Meeting basic needs with dignity – For example Community Food Projects, Social Supermarkets, White good provisions and more 

2. Keeping People Well and Connected – For example social action projects, youth-voice projects, neighbourhood wellbeing cafes, cultural connection projects and more 

3. Neighbourhood Approach to Tackling Health Inequalities – For example green social prescribing, community advice hubs, local signposting and advocacy services  

4. Strengthening Community Power and Capacity – For example youth-led pilot programme, test and learn models, new baby and toddler groups 

5. Joined-Up Support that Enables People to Prepare for, Access, and Work, Well – For example employer meet and greets, confidence building activities and more 

Applicants must select one priority to focus on. 

How to apply

The fund will open on Monday 8th June for applications and close at midnight, Sunday 5th July.  

Applications are to be made via the online application form, which is available in English, Polish, Farsi or Urdu (based on Stockport’s communities), and has an inbuilt reader.  For any alternative application methods, applicants are advised to contact Sector 3.  

Applications can be made via the Live Well in Stockport Fund webpage.