A trailblazing partnership: New Stockport Fund Unites VCFSE and Private Sector to Address Employment Inequality

The Stockport VCFSE Work and Skills Fund is part of the Greater Manchester Economic Inactivity Trailblazer Programme.

This £100,000 fund will provide grants of up to £25,000 to incorporated, not-for-profit VCFSE organisations in Stockport.

The fund plays an important role in Stockport’s Live Well initiative, joining up public, private and VCFSE sectors to support residents to ‘live well’. It is part of a wider commitment to making Stockport a place where everyone can thrive, regardless of background or circumstance.

The programme will:

·       Tackle inequalities in access to work.

·       Strengthen employer knowledge and capacity to adopt inclusive recruitment and retention practices.

·       Build sustainable cross-sector partnerships between businesses and VCFSEs.

·       Increase opportunities for Stockport residents facing the greatest barriers to employment.

·       The fund is “trailblazing” in nature. It is designed to help organisations test new approaches or build on existing work to support inclusive employment locally.

Sector 3, in partnership with Stockport Council, is proud to announce the launch of the Stockport VCFSE Work and Skills Fund, a new initiative designed to address systemic barriers to employment and promote inclusive economic participation across the borough.

This targeted fund will support incorporated Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to deliver innovative projects that help to reduce the employment inequalities gap. Whether through supported volunteering, employer engagement, or inclusive recruitment practices, the fund aims to create fairer pathways into employment for those who are often excluded from traditional opportunities.

 Councillor Micheala Meikle, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Skills at Stockport Council, said:   

“Stockport has always been a place where innovation and partnership go hand in hand.   

This new Work and Skills Fund is a fantastic example of how our voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector can work alongside local businesses to break down barriers to employment.   

By supporting new ideas and building on what works, we’re making Stockport a fairer, more inclusive place to live and work.   

I’m proud that we’re leading the way in Greater Manchester, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this fund will have for our residents and communities.” 

Victoria Shaw, Chief Operations Officer of Sector 3 says

“We are proud to deepen our partnership with Stockport Council’s Economy, Work & Skills Team, championing a bold and innovative approach to tackling unemployment. By fostering stronger collaboration between the voluntary, community, faith, social enterprise (VCFSE) sector and the private sector, we are unlocking new opportunities to address employment inequalities and ultimately reduce unemployment. This cross-sector partnership reflects a shared commitment to inclusive growth and demonstrates the transformative potential of working together to create fairer, healthier communities.”

Key priorities for the fund include:

·       Targeted support for people facing systemic barriers to employment, including disabled people, ethnically diverse, and those with lived experience of trauma or long-term unemployment.

·       Supported volunteering pathways that reduce barriers to participation—covering expenses and offering wraparound support to help individuals gain confidence, skills, and community connection.

·       Training for employers on inclusive recruitment, accessibility, trauma-informed practices, mental health at work, and flexible job design.

·       Toolkits and resources to help businesses adapt recruitment, induction, and retention practices to be more inclusive.

·       Employer engagement pilots that build trusted relationships across sectors and support businesses to implement inclusive practices.

·       Promotion of fair and flexible job opportunities for people who have historically been excluded from the labour market.

By investing in the VCFSE sector, the fund recognises the vital role community organisations play in connecting employment and skills support with health, wellbeing, and social inclusion.

Applications are now open, with grants of up to £25,000 per year available for eligible organisations. Collaborative bids are encouraged, and support is available from Sector 3 for those looking to apply.

For more information and to apply, visit: sector3sk.org/stockport-vcfse-work-and-skills

The Context

The relationship between work and health is undeniable and increasingly urgent. Evidence shows that unemployment and poor-quality jobs are significant contributors to both physical and mental health inequalities.

People who are unemployed face a much higher risk of mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety, as well as increased rates of cardiovascular disease. They are also more likely to experience health-harming behaviours and, tragically, a greater risk of suicide.

According to The Health Foundation, unemployed individuals are nearly six times more likely to report poor health compared to those in work.