During the Covid-19 crisis Stockport Council has been working more closely than ever with the volunteers and community groups who have responded to provide support.
Support has been provided in the form of grants from Stockport Local Fund, practical help for organisations to find and apply for other sources of funding for community projects, coordinating volunteers and matching them up with community organisations that need help, and promotion for local charities who can’t fundraise independently at this time.
Councillor Amanda Peers, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods said:
I’m incredibly proud and humbled by the amazing response from the Voluntary and Community Sector in Stockport, from small community groups to long standing charities, everyone has come together to support the most vulnerable members of our community and those in greatest need. In National Volunteer Week we would like to thank all those members of the public for their enthusiasm and commitment to supporting Stockport residents. We have had more than 600 new volunteers come forward locally to support their communities since the start of the crisis. You’re all truly amazing!
“We’re doing all we can to help this work and have awarded more than £100,000 in Stockport Local Fund grants that are helping community organisations to support more vulnerable people during the crisis. We can also help organisations find and apply for other sources of funding for community projects and encourage anyone needing this support to attend our online workshop next week.
“Our ‘Stockport Local’ approach is all about working with our partners and our voluntary, community and social enterprise sector and whether we are making welfare calls to shielded residents or matching volunteers with organisations that need them, it really feels like we are one big team. Stockport – we’re in this together!”
Stockport Council is providing funding for community projects through Stockport Local Fund and can is hosting a virtual workshop on the funding support available. There are also grants of up to £1000 available for groups and organisations working with vulnerable residents of the borough.
To offer your time as a volunteer sign up at Coronavirus Watch.
If your organisation needs volunteers, use Stockport Council’s Request volunteer support form.
The Keep Stockport Caring fundraising website provides a portal to donate to local charities.
The Stockport Council website also have information to find help for vulnerable people.