Stockport community enjoys festival supporting Together Trust

The family-friendly and accessible Join Together Festival returned to Cheadle, welcoming over 1,500 local people and families while raising money for Stockport charity, Together Trust.

The Join Together Festival is a yearly tradition aimed at fostering community spirit and raising funds for the not-for-profit organisation’s life-changing services across the North West.

The festival has been running annually with the very first Together Trust fete in Cheadle taking place back on 23 July 1921. This year’s Join Together Festival 2026 raised over £19,000 for Together Trust.

The 2026 festival was jam packed with different activities including, animal petting, archery, axe throwing, an
adaptive gaming marquee, multiple play areas and arts and crafts. On top of that there were lots of delicious food and drink stalls, a selection of funfair rides, and a market zone with local makers.

Strawberry Radio entertained the crowds on the main stage along with other performers, including the amazing Vox Pop choir and the Together Trust’s very own ex-student James who returned this year to sing some crowd pleasers.

The event is always designed with accessibility in mind, which includes scheduling in a quiet hour, changing facilities for adults as well as children, ear defenders available and sensory activities for those who preferred a more tranquil setting.

Also, in attendance this year was the Stockport Mayor, Cllr Mark Hunter and Mayoress Rachel Hunter.

The festival’s success was due to the commitment of 56 volunteers who completed 302 hours of volunteering and
support from our corporate volunteers, from companies such as Bupa, 10Architects, Mitie, Barclays and Vernon Building Society. The festival was also supported by sponsorships and donations from high-profile corporates including Jonathan Alcock Funeral Directors, Options Great Hire, The Village Hotel Cheadle, BMindful, Azets accountants in Stockport, Magair, Stockport Council flexibility award, Primark Manchester, Tesco, L’Oreal, and Swizzels Sweets.

Zoe H, festival organiser from Together Trust, said:

“This year’s Join Together Festival was my first year organising this event and it was exciting to get stuck into such an event for the Together Trust. This is a community event through and through and highlights what the Trust aims to offer, embracing our community’s individual personalities but in the form of a family fun day!”