Vernon awards £4,000 to local Community Stars

Stockport’s mutual, Vernon Building Society, has awarded its first round of Community Stars funding of 2023 to local non-profit organisations.

The building society has awarded £4,000 to 11 local charities and non-profits. The winners were voted for by colleagues of the Society which has six community-focused branches across the borough.

Walthew House and Mentell (pictured) were awarded the joint top prizes of £650 each.

Sarah Mollitt, funding and income generation manager at Walthew House, said:

“We are very grateful for the award from our friends at the Vernon, as the funds will make such a difference to the blind and deaf people we support across Stockport.

“Our charity relies on donations to be able to offer our weekly youth club, social and sporting groups, specialist counselling, and advocacy services, so we would like to thank everyone at the Vernon for choosing us to receive this special award.”

Helen Barton, business community volunteer, at Mentell, added:

“As a charity founded in Stockport, to be recognised and supported by the Vernon Building Society is just wonderful. Mentell provides circles for men aged 18+ to talk in a safe and confidential space, free from advice and judgment.

“Monies received will enable the circles to take place, training new facilitators to hold those safe spaces and raise awareness of men’s mental health and the support available to men within the community.”

The latest Community Stars winners are:

• Walthew House – £650
• Mentell – £650
• Re-dish £500
• Coffee, Chill and Spill – £500
• Supportability – £400
• Seashell Trust – 400
• Feeding the Community Stockport CIO – £300
• Beyond Bea – £300
• Bare Necessities Toiletry Bank – £100
• Brinnington Big Social – £100
• Reddish Scorpions – £100

Steve Fletcher, CEO of Vernon Building Society, said:

“We know members value these awards, which we’ve been making for over a decade to more than 100 local good causes.

“We are also aware the people of Stockport and East Cheshire choose to save with the Vernon because of the type of contribution our branches make to their local high streets and communities.

“We want to reach as many of the amazing non-profit groups as possible across the borough, from large established charities to smaller grassroots organisations. Our Community Stars scheme runs throughout the year, so it’s not too late to nominate your favourite group or charity.”

To enter the awards, local groups only need to apply once to be in with a chance of being awarded a portion of the fund throughout the year.

Additional information and details of how to apply can be found on the Vernon website.