Throughout the year, our Trustees award grants from our two core funds. The 'Stronger Communities Fund' (SCF), where we provide funding to groups making positive differences in their communities, and the 'Manchester's Rising Stars Fund' (MRSF) where we award grants supporting ambitious young Mancunians from disadvantage in their next steps to success.
We awarded 4 SCF grants in February 2025 (no MRSF grants last month due to new criteria launch in January) which came to a total of £15,480! Here is the full list of the fantastic local community groups we supported, and we look forward to sharing further details about them with you as their projects develop.
Stronger Communities Fund
Withington Civic Society (Old Moat, Withington)
About: Withington Civic Society is a registered charity that has been active since 1978, working to protect, improve, and celebrate the built and natural environment of Old Moat, Withington, Ladybarn, and South Fallowfield. The society organises community events, tree planting, litter picks, and campaigns to enhance the local area. They also focus on preserving local heritage, such as the historic Withington Trough, which has been a part of the community since 1876.
Award: £3,500 - to support the Restoration of the Withington Trough project. The trough, located at the corner of Copson Street and Old Moat Lane, will be restored and repaired, ensuring its structural stability and preserving it for future generations. The surrounding area will also be enhanced with seating, planters, and a community noticeboard, creating a welcoming space for residents and visitors. This project will benefit the entire community by celebrating local heritage and improving the public space.
Brink Productions (Moss Side)
About: Brink Productions is a registered charity that provides creative outlets for young people through arts, music, and dance. Their mission is to give young people a platform to express themselves, build confidence, and develop life skills. Brink works with young people from marginalised backgrounds, including the global majority, those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and those at risk of exclusion or involvement in negative behaviours. Their projects focus on inclusion, empowerment, and personal development.
Award: £3,980 - to support weekly dance sessions at the Powerhouse Centre in Moss Side. These non-competitive sessions provide a safe and creative space for young people to express themselves, build confidence, and improve their mental and emotional well-being. The sessions also promote physical fitness and social connections, particularly for young people who may lack stable support networks. The funding will ensure the continuation of these sessions, which currently engage 20-25 young people weekly.
We are really grateful to We Love Manchester for funding our dance sessions. Thanks to you we can continue dancing throughout the year. Your support means the world to us. Thank you so much.
Equal Education Chances (Higher Blackley)
About: Equal Education Chances (EEC) is a grassroots organisation that supports migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and those with no recourse to public funds, particularly from African and Caribbean communities. Their mission is to bridge the gap between migrants and the support services available to them, focusing on youth development, SEND support, immigration advocacy, food banks, and skills development. EEC works to empower young people and families, particularly those facing stigma or exclusion due to disabilities or neurodiversity.
Award: £4,000 - to fund the Faith and Neurodiversity project, which aims to create inclusive spaces for children with autism and other sensory processing needs within faith-based settings. The project will deliver workshops and provide sensory resources like noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, and inclusive books in mosques, temples, and churches across Manchester. This initiative will help families feel less isolated and ensure that children with disabilities can engage comfortably in faith-based activities.
Our Space Youth Club (Benchill, Wythenshawe)
About: Our Space Youth Club is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that provides a safe and inclusive space for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities. The club offers a range of activities, including arts and crafts, board games, gaming, and group games, as well as monthly trips such as inclusive swimming and cycling sessions. Their mission is to ensure that children with SEND have opportunities to socialise, learn, and have fun in a supportive environment.
Award: £4,000 - to fund a residential trip to Ghyll Head for 10 families, including children with SEND and their parents. The two-night trip will take place during the May half term and will include outdoor activities like canoeing, rock climbing, and ghyll scrambling. This project provides an opportunity for children who may not otherwise have access to such experiences due to their disabilities, while also building family confidence and creating lasting memories.
We are over the moon that we have been granted this grant, it will make a difference to a number of children and their families. We believe every child should be given an opportunity to experience a PGL trip. with this grant it will give these children with SEND needs the opportunity to experience it within the safety of their family.
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