Stockport community groups urged to access available financial support

Stockport Council are urging local community groups to take up the offer of financial support from Forever Manchester and the National Lottery Community Fund to support their response to the impact of COVID-19.

These unprecedented times are having an impact on voluntary and social sector organisations across Greater Manchester and grassroots community groups are responding with kindness and compassion, coming together to help those most affected.

Forever Manchester is working with the UK Community Foundations to raise money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester and are offering awards of up to £5,000 for community groups in the city region.

The Forever Manchester Community Support Fund is seeking to help fund organisations who are supporting their communities during these unprecedented times. To apply an organisation needs to be a constituted community group with its own bank account and relevant safeguarding policies in place and be based in the Greater Manchester borough where help is offered.

Local community groups can also apply for support from the National Lottery Community Fund. The fund helps to distribute money raised by players of the National Lottery to fund a wide range and projects and activities. They are currently prioritising their funding for organisations that are supporting people who are at high risk from COVID-19 and organisations supporting communities most likely to face increased demand and challenges because of COVID-19.

Alongside its usual funding the National Lottery Community Fund is distributing £310m of government funding across the country, targeted at organisations responding to the COVID-19 emergency.

Stockport Council know that funding applications can be time consuming, difficult to navigate and often overwhelming. To support the voluntary sector during these uncertain times, Stockport Council working with Sector 3 and Stockport Homes to help groups write the funding bids for community projects.

Cllr Amanda Peers, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods at Stockport Council, said:

Our community groups and voluntary organisations have shown exactly why they are so valuable during the COVID-19 crisis, their rapid response has meant that vulnerable residents in Stockport have been supported from the very beginning of the lockdown situation.  

“We know they will continue to play a key role in shaping the future as lock down is relaxed, we want to make sure that funding is available to help them to continue to offer that vital support during the very challenging times we are all facing now and in the future, this funding will enable us to do that.” 

Nick Massey, Chief Executive of Forever Manchester said:

Local groups understand how they can best help their communities at this time and we are doing everything we can to support them through it.

“I would encourage any community group that might need some extra money to help those most at need to have a look at the funding that is available from Forever Manchester.    

“We don’t want to limit the type of request that can be made so just let us know what you want to do and how it supports your community and we will consider the application. Local community organisations can have a massive impact on the communities they serve during these difficult times and we want to do everything we can to support them.”

More information and details on how to apply for funding on the Forever Manchester website here.

Voluntary organisations, social enterprises and community groups can find more information and details on how to apply for the National Lottery Community Fund on their website.