The SKylight Community Fund supports projects which make a difference to the lives of Stockport Homes’ customers and the wider community.
With an annual budget of £50,000, local groups and grassroots organisations can apply for up to £2,000 to support projects and activities that benefit their local area.
Between April 2023 and April 2024, the SKylight Community Fund Customer Panel awarded the full pot of £50,000 to 33 local groups in Stockport:
ROUND 1
ROUND 2
ROUND 3 April 2023 September 2023 February 2024
£21,704.82 £13,678.18 £14,617.00
54 bids were submitted to the fund, totalling £85,159, marking an increase from the previous year’s 44 applications amounting to £64,609. The average amount awarded per project was £1,477, a figure consistent with the previous year’s average.
How the fund was awarded by area
Victoria
£14,128.80
Heatons & Reddish
£12,597.80
Marple
£9,561.50
Central Stockport
£9,051.80
Stepping Hill
£2,720.10
Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme
£1,940.00
Cheadle
£0.00
The fund’s objectives align with supporting groups and projects falling within at least one of six designated categories:
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Early Essentials Stockport
Awarded £1,256.50
Early Essentials Stockport were awarded £1,256.50 to support first-time mothers and their families. Delivering cooking sessions to families and creating weaning packs to provide them with the means to make and store baby food, along with nutritional advice and guidance.
YOUNG PEOPLE
Marple Youth Project
Awarded £1,883
Marple Youth Project were awarded £1,883 to purchase equipment to kickstart their podcast with, and for, young people to discuss issues that are important to them, including: living with SEND, bullying, mental health and future aspirations.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Seeding the Change
Awarded £2,000
Seeding the Change were awarded £2,000 to purchase a polytunnel that would allow their allotment project to run through the winter months, hosting art sessions, floristry sessions, and social events.
Some of the groups and activities made possible by the fund
YOUNG PEOPLE
Make Build Grow
Awarded £1,517.60
Make Build Grow were awarded £1,517.60 to deliver ‘Do it 4 Yourself’, a project working with care-experience young people to develop their DIY, home maintenance and furniture upcycling skills. The funds were used to purchase the tools and equipment needed for the project.
EMPLOYMENT & SKILLS
St Marks Church
Awarded £1,924
St Marks Church were awarded £1,924 to deliver CAP (Church Action on Poverty) Life Skills sessions over 8 weeks; supporting practical skills to live on a low income.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Refugee Community Togetherness Group
Awarded £1,950
Refugee Community Togetherness Group were awarded £1,950.00 to deliver their Community Skills Exchange Project, led by members of the community with sessions including: cookery, digital skills, DIY and music.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
FAME (Family Association Mottram Estate)
Awarded £2,000
FAME (Family Association Mottram Estate) were awarded £2,000 to deliver ‘A Summer of Fun!” activities including a trip to Blackpool Zoo and a Coronation themed ‘Big Lunch’ event bringing local residents together.
Some of the groups and activities made possible by the fund
EMPLOYMENT & SKILLS
OWLS (Ongoing Women’s Local Support)
Awarded £2,000
OWLS (Ongoing Women’s Local Support) were awarded £2,000 to train two volunteers as VOICE trainers, which would enable them to deliver the 10-week programme for women in Stockport.
Oldham Drive Social Learning Group
Awarded £832
Oldham Drive Social Learning Group were awarded £832.00 to fund room hire and insurance costs to support the running of their ‘Silver Surfers’ Computer Group.
OLDER PEOPLE
Cheadle Heath Community Association
Awarded £2,000
Cheadle Heath Community Association were awarded £2,000 to run their ‘Senior Shindig’ in June 2024. The fund went towards food, entertainment and decorations with the event providing a fun and welcoming get together and helping to reduce social isolation.
Community Fund Case Studies
BOOST Wellbeing CIC Get Onside Mental Wellbeing Football
BOOST provide safe social spaces for people to get active, connect with others, build skills, and improve mental wellbeing.
When applying for the fund, BOOST told us that they believe sport - football in particular - can help to build social connections essential for our wellbeing.
In April 2023, the Skylight Community Fund awarded BOOST £1,750 to deliver their ‘Get Onside’ mental wellbeing football classes at Stockport Sports Village in Woodley. The fund contributed to the cost of the pitch and equipment and was delivered in partnership with Stockport Town Football Club and Life Leisure.
Since starting the sessions in early 2023, the football group has grown to 60 residents who have benefitted from the free wellbeing sessions. Starting
with only six to seven players per session, this has now risen to around 20 on average, with the most-attended session benefitting 31 people!
Sessions are mixed in gender and age, with players ranging from 16 to 67 years old! The sessions have also supported those in primary and secondary care, as well as people with physical disabilities and additional needs.
BOOST have received excellent feedback from participants, highlighting the importance of the sessions in not just building physical wellbeing, but social inclusion and self-esteem:
It makes me feel better after stressful days at work. I do feel better after physical exercise and meeting up with other participants […] I enjoy the banter and support and encouragement”
It is a fantastic way to meet new people, have fun and keep fit. The games are not competitive, everyone encourages each other and is very friendly. I look forward to it every week, and it is a great way to put aside any niggles that life throws my way for an hour!” “
Watch the video
Community Fund Case Studies
TRENTS Community Over 55s Christmas Party
TRENTS Community is a local community group for those who are over the age of 55. In November 2023, the SKylight Community Fund awarded the group £590 to deliver their annual Christmas Party.
The get-together aims to reduce social isolation among the senior community and encourage residents to venture outside their homes to celebrate the festive season as a community.
The fund contributed to the cost of a two-course meal at The Finger Post, Offerton, and a singing duo for entertainment. Every attendee was also given a Christmas present to take away.
The event was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended.
Just to say thank you once again for the funding you granted us.
Yesterday was a really lovely afternoon with the entertainment, meal and
All the thanks and happy people said it all […] An afternoon that no-one felt lonely
SKylight Community Fund Customer Panel
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Eligible bids are put forward to our SKylight Community Fund Customer Panel who ultimately decide how the fund is spent. Panel members bring skills and experience from their own community work.
You could be our next Community Fund Panel Member. We are currently looking for..
• People aged 18+
• Who live in Stockport and have experience in volunteering in their local community.
• Have a genuine interest in community work in Stockport.
• That are happy to take part in a minimum of two panel meetings per year, either online or in person
• Are willing to attend training that will support you in your role.
Email us at customer.engagement@stockporthomes.org for more information or register your interest using our online form.
Panel Spotlight
Nicola Firth
Why did you decide to join the panel?
After three decades of living in Stockport and dealing with various life challenges, I wanted to do something to support to the community that is my home.
When did you join the panel?
I joined the Skylight Community Panel in December 2022 and what an uplifting experience and privilege it is!!
Tell us more about your experience on the panel..
As a member of the funding panel, I’m honoured to be responsible for evaluating applications from various community groups and organisations at grassroots level. It is truly heartwarming to witness the dedication of so many residents who are selflessly working to improve our districts and positively impact the lives of our residents.
Beyond the tangible impact, serving on the panel is personally empowering. Skylight provided training to support me in the role and the staff, particularly Louise and Jackelyn, are dedicated to assisting the panel to make informed decisions by, for example, asking the grant applicants for further information. They also do an exceptional job of coordinating the bids received, recording the panel’s comments, and communicating the decisions.
I have also learned so much from other panel members who share their experiences, thoughts, and opinions openly so the panel as a whole can make a well-balanced decision. This has helped me gain a deeper understanding of the diverse needs and aspirations within our society.
Overall, serving on Skylight’s Community Fund panel has reaffirmed my belief in the power of collective action and reminded me of the incredible strength and resilience inherent within our community. I look forward to continuing this journey of service and advocacy, knowing that together we can truly make a difference and transform lives.
Our Funding the Future is an annual event which provides a great opportunity for local groups and organisations to meet with a range of funders. 70 local groups attended the event in 2022 with some taking part in ‘Ready, Steady, Bid’ accessing support from our Customer Engagement Officers to develop and submit their bid to the SKylight Community Fund on the day.
Funding the Future will take place on Friday 20th September 2024 - 10am - 2pm
If you would like to attend then please contact our Funding Officer, Mark Rogers, to reserve your place at funding.info@stockporthomes.org
If you would like to talk to us about the SKylight Community Fund, please contact the Customer Engagement Team at community.fund@stockporthomes.org
If you’re ready to make your application, please go to www.sk-y-light.org/community-fund/ for more information and to find out when the fund is next accepting bids
Sector 3 are the charity infrastructure support network for voluntary, community and faith-based groups, social enterprises and charitable organisations in Stockport. For more information visit www.sector3sk.org
