Following the award of £650,000 funding from the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG) in January 2021, Stockport Council and representatives from Stockport’s voluntary and community sector have been working together to develop Stockport’s community champions scheme.
The scheme will encourage local people and organisations to improve access to the latest and most accurate information about Covid-19. It will also focus on supporting community activity designed to improve the health and wellbeing Stockport residents, particularly where this has been impacted by the pandemic.
At the heart of the scheme is the desire to create a strong network of community champions across the borough, with a shared focus on health and wellbeing, but through a wide variety of community activities.
As part of the scheme, small and medium sized funding grants are available to voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, to help support the continued work they are doing in keeping communities safe from coronavirus. It can be a new idea or to support existing work, with priorities focusing on reducing isolation, promoting health and wellbeing, and helping communities recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Grants of up to £1,000 can be obtained by applying to Sector3 (Stockport Community Champions Fund — Sector 3 – Stockport in Synergy (sector3sk.org). Grants of up to £5,000 and grants of £20,000 for larger projects can be obtained from the Stockport Local Fund – Stockport Council.
“Local people and organisations have been fundamental part of helping communities through the tough times brought about by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Jennifer Connolly, Director of Public Health for Stockport Council.
“We are so pleased to be able to invite applications for the Community Champions funding, to support organisations and people in Stockport. If you are an individual or organisation that plays a key role in helping people in the community to support each other, please do get in touch, or apply for one of the funding opportunities. If you have an idea you think would meet the criteria, our team would be happy to discuss this with you”.
For more information about the Community Champions in Stockport, including funding available please contact community.champions@stockport.
