Stockport extends VCFSE Work & Skills Fund for community-led employment support model

Stockport’s VCFSE Work & Skills Fund (also known as the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer) has been confirmed for a second year of funding.

Delivered through local VCFSE organisations, who are already trusted in their communities, the programme focuses on working with individuals at their own pace, rather than expecting them to fit into a standard system. It’s helping people who are often missed by traditional employment support, including those facing challenges around mental health, isolation, or caring responsibilities. Instead of focusing only on job outcomes, it starts with confidence, connection and building a sense of purpose.

Impact on Stockport residents from the first year has seen:

• A group of women who were experiencing low self-esteem and isolation, coming together to create and run a community café, building skills and confidence along the way
• Young people reframing their lived experience into strengths that employers can recognise
• Participants who have gone from volunteering to paid roles through the programme itself

Building on a strong first year, the funding will allow six local organisations to continue and expand their work supporting residents who face the biggest barriers to employment.

Funded through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), via Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC), and administered by Sector 3, the programme first ran from November 2025 to 31 March 2026.

A programme designed to remove barriers to work

The fund is part of Stockport’s Live Well initiative and focuses on creating fairer access to employment. It brings together community organisations, employers and public services to:

• Tackle inequalities in access to work
• Help employers adopt more inclusive recruitment and workplace practices
• Build stronger partnerships between businesses and community organisations
• Increase opportunities for residents facing the greatest barriers to employment

Stockport’s approach has been recognised across Greater Manchester and beyond for its joined-up approach, connecting the dots cross-sector, with Sector 3 having been commissioned to share learning from this model
across the region.

A report by Voluntary Sector North West highlighted the importance of this approach:

‘The Stockport model shows what is achievable: sustained, values led, relationship-based engagement infrastructure connected to but not dependent on any single programme. What made it effective was not the programme funding but the sustained investment in relationship-building over time, the values-led approach that prioritised trust before transaction, and a funded lead role with time to maintain the connections.’

John Hannen from Voluntary Sector North West said:

“We were really impressed with the work led by Sector 3 in Stockport. This collective approach created shared learning and real time problem solving and shows what could be achieved elsewhere.”

Jo McGrath, CEO at Sector 3, said:

“The Trailblazer (Work & Skills Fund) has shown that progress happens when support is built around real lives.

“VCFSE organisations are trusted and rooted in their communities. By bringing together local partners, employers and public services, this programme is not just changing individual outcomes, but also challenging how systems work.”

The extension of funding will protect and build on this progress. It will give organisations the stability to support more participants and to deepen their impact. Second-year funding will enable:

• Expansion of successful projects to reach more residents
• Stronger relationships between employers and community organisations
• More inclusive workplaces across Stockport

Some programmes are already seeing wider, longer-term impact. Stockport charity, Signpost for Carers created and delivered Think Carer, Carer Champion Workplace Training focused on removing barriers for unpaid carers and improving inclusive recruitment, accessibility, trauma informed practices, mental health, and/or flexible job design.

Since the programme, Signpost for Carers have seen a reported increased visibility of carers, employers able to identify carers in their workforce (one organisation immediately identified five such employees, and individualised conversations held with them to better understand their circumstances and how to better support them). This work is making carers more visible in the workplace and helping employers better support them.

A long-term investment in Stockport

The fund is a key part of Stockport’s Live Well vision: a joined-up approach that helps residents to live well and thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.

By continuing this funding into a second year, Stockport is investing in long-term change, supporting individuals, strengthening communities and building a more inclusive local economy.