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 8 SCF and 6 MRSF grants in October 2024 which came to a huge total of £33,844! Here is the full list of the fantastic local projects and young people we supported, and we look forward to sharing further details about them with you as the projects develop and our Rising Stars' ambitions grow.
Stronger Communities Fund
UK Yoga CIC
About: UK Yoga CIC is dedicated to enhancing holistic health through yoga and mindfulness practices. They aim to equip educators in Central and North Manchester with tools to improve student wellbeing effectively.
Project: The "Empowering Educators for Holistic Student Wellbeing" project will train teachers in 12 Manchester primary schools in mindfulness, yoga techniques, and outdoor learning. The grant covers outdoor learning materials, course delivery, and travel costs.
Award: £4,000
Location: Central and North Manchester
"We are incredibly grateful to We Love MCR Charity for awarding this vital funding to UK Yoga CIC. This support will enable us to significantly expand our holistic health programs in Manchester schools, focusing on the well-being of both educators and students."
Chrysalis
About: Chrysalis was established over 30 years ago in Moss Side, initially addressing teenage pregnancy concerns. They now support community mental health through various programs including food banks and digital inclusion.
Project: The funding will support music and dancing sessions for older people in Moss Side who live alone or in shared accommodation. The grant covers publicity, volunteer expenses, administration, and refreshments.
Award: £2,060
Location: Moss Side
ALL FM
About: ALL FM is a community radio station that trains vulnerable Manchester communities in radio production and live broadcast, offering them a platform on ALL FM 96.9.
Project: "OP FM" will provide radio training sessions for 28 older people aged 60+, teaching them all aspects of radio production and culminating in live shows. The grant covers trainer costs, coordination, refreshments, and equipment.
Award: £3,960
Location: Levenshulme.
"The award will make a huge difference in helping us engage and train older people whose voices aren't being heard."
Focus and Fly CIC
About: Focus and Fly CIC provides well-being and personal development courses for unpaid carers and vulnerable adults in Wythenshawe.
Project: The funding will support a 10-week self-development course for unpaid carers, including access to a specialist gym. The grant covers course delivery, gym passes, and room hire.
Award: £4,000
Location: Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe
"Connections will be made and stresses alleviated...and most importantly, time will be given to those who selflessly give so much of theirs away."
Ladybarn Community Hub
About: Ladybarn Community Hub supports over 500 local residents monthly in Fallowfield, Withington, and Ladybarn, offering various services including choirs, LGBTQIA+ coffee mornings, and advice services.
Project: The grant will expand their older people's service to engage isolated individuals from LGBTQ+, South Asian, Afro-Caribbean, and refugee communities. Funding covers staffing, administration, and materials for exercise, arts, and social sessions.
Award: £4,000
Location: Ladybarn
Peoplescape Theatre
About: Peoplescape Theatre uses drama for learning, engagement, and developing social skills and self-confidence. They create theatre experiences for all ages, prioritising those with less opportunity to engage with the arts.
Project: The funding will expand their performance offerings for children aged 0-4 and their families in local community settings. The grant covers rehearsals, performances, resource development, and project management.
Award: £3,992
Location: East Didsbury
Disability Opportunities in Sport UK CIC (DOSportUK)
About: DOSportUK CIC uses sport and physical activity to improve the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of people with disabilities, particularly those with learning disabilities and/or autism.
Project: The grant will support new sports sessions for young people aged 5-10, focusing on basketball and cricket. Funding covers court costs, administration, marketing, and coaching.
Award: £2,100
Location: Ardwick
Christian Restoration Manchester
About: CRM is a Christian charity in Blackley, North Manchester, offering various community outreach projects including advice, support groups, and community football.
Project: The funding will support music sessions for young people, covering trainer costs and musical instruments. The grant includes costs for a music trainer, instruments, and publicity.
Award: £4,000
Location: Higher Blackley.
Manchester's Rising Stars Fund
Noorun, 18, Whalley Range
Ambition: To become a doctor and successful researcher. Noorun is currently studying medicine at university.
Award: £440 - for medical textbooks and study aids. Noorun has previously received support from us for a laptop and other study materials.
Noorun's dedication to her studies is commendable. Her hard work and commitment have secured her a place in medical school, despite facing financial challenges. We Love MCR Charity is proud to continue supporting her journey and we believe she will make significant contributions to the medical field in the future.
"All the resources the charity has supported me with, starting with the laptop I am emailing you from, has been crucial to my academic progress. I have not only used it for my studies but also to attend my Oxford interviews virtually and participate in numerous programs, including research programs such as the Nuffield research placement."
Teejan, 17, Moss Side
Ambition: To establish and own his own cybersecurity firm. Teejan is currently studying A-Levels in Physics, Maths, and Computer Science at Loreto.
Award: £1,143 - for a standard laptop and insurance.
Teejan's passion for technology and programming is inspiring. He's already teaching himself advanced skills like Python and creating programs in Visual Studio. His ambition extends beyond business, as he hopes to use his future success to provide technology access to less fortunate individuals globally.
"Thank you, We Love MCR and trustees! This award will have a huge impact on my studies and future career in cybersecurity. With my own laptop, I can now focus fully on my programming projects, coursework, and learning new languages, boosting my skills and helping me pursue my ambitions without limits."
Obaid, 18, Longsight
Ambition: To become a professional boxer and world champion in his weight class. Obaid is currently training intensively at Longsight Boxing Club.
Award: £720 - for 12 months of training fees.
Obaid's dedication to boxing is remarkable. He trains daily, demonstrating unwavering commitment to his craft. His coach believes in his potential, stating that Obaid will be going professional next year. This is Obaid's second award from the Manchester's Rising Stars Fund, showing his continued progress and determination.
Ibrahim, 17, Fallowfield
Ambition: To pursue a career in accounting and finance. Ibrahim is currently studying A-Level Philosophy, Ethics, Business, and BTEC Criminology at Trinity Sixth Form, aiming for top grades to secure a place at the University of Manchester.
Award: £1,143 - for a laptop to support his studies. Coming from a large family with limited resources, Ibrahim currently relies on school and library computers to complete his work.
Ibrahim's dedication to his studies is impressive, balancing multiple subjects while aspiring to own his own business in the future. As a potential first-generation university student from a low-income household, Ibrahim's determination to excel academically is commendable. We Love MCR Charity is excited to support Ibrahim's journey and believes this award will be a catalyst for his success in pursuing finance at university and beyond.
"I believe this award will be a catalyst for my own success in the upcoming future in pursuing finance at university. Thank you so much."
Laiba, 19, Rusholme
Ambition: To become a corporate lawyer and a professional podcaster. Laiba has secured a place at the University of Manchester to study Law and Politics.
Award: £1,143 - for a laptop to support her university studies. As a young carer from a low-income background, Laiba lacks the financial means to purchase a laptop herself.
Laiba's has already gained practical experience through internships, including two weeks at MMU and five months at United Solicitors. Despite her responsibilities as a young carer, Laiba has achieved impressive A-level results and secured a place at university. We Love MCR Charity is thrilled to support Laiba's journey and believes this laptop will be instrumental in helping her pursue her ambitious goals.
"Thank you, We Love MCR, for your support and the generous gift of a laptop. Your commitment to helping young people like me pursue our ambitions is truly inspiring. With this laptop, I will be able to focus on my university studies and complete the necessary applications to pursue my career in law."
Afshin, 17, Fallowfield
Ambition: To become a financial analyst. Afshin is currently studying BTEC courses in business and IT, while also learning data analysis and statistics in his spare time to enhance his analytical skills.
Award: £1,143 - for a standard laptop and insurance.
Afshin's dedication to his career goals is impressive in light of challenging circumstances. He remains focused on his ambition to become a respected professional in the financial industry and his proactive approach to learning additional skills demonstrates his commitment. We Love MCR Charity is proud to support Afshin's journey.
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