Strengthening Local Impact: New Funding to Support Youth-Focused Organisations in Stockport
Sector 3 and the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit Launch New Mini-Grants Programme
Sector 3 are proud to announce the launch of a new Mini-Grants programme, funded by the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (GM VRU) through its Community Led Approaches Programme. This initiative is designed to support and strengthen the valuable work already being carried out by voluntary, community, faith-based, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations in Adswood and Bridgehall.
The Mini-Grants will run alongside the Stockport Community VRU Alliance in Adswood & Bridgehall, with a clear focus: to support local organisations to continue delivering impactful services and activities for young people aged 10 to 25.
Michael Phipps, GM VCSE Sector Violence Reduction Strategic Lead (Senior)
“We are excited to continue to support local grass roots groups deliver vital work in their community. These funds help to build on a successful first year and we are looking forward to seeing some high quality applications that showcase how they can support local young people and families in Adswood and Bridgehall.”
Victoria Shaw, Chief Operations Officer at Sector 3 says
“The VRU Mini Grants fund brings an opportunity for local groups to bring local resident's ideas to life, as part of the community approach to violence reduction, along with meeting emerging needs. The fund will be open all year round and will complement the second year of the Alliance in Adswood and Bridgehall.”
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to VCFSE organisations that have actively worked in Adswood and/or Bridgehall within the last 12 months.
Funding Available
A total of £20,000 is available over the next 12 months as a rolling fund. Organisations can apply for grants of up to £1,500, with the opportunity to apply twice during the funding period (24th September 2025 – 25th September 2026).
What Will Be Funded?
Projects must align with one or more of the following priorities:
Reducing serious violence and anti-social behaviour
Increasing feelings of safety and community connectedness
Improving aspirations, confidence, emotional resilience, and mental wellbeing
Providing positive role models for young people
An independent panel will assess applications every two months. The first deadline is Thursday 27th November 2025. Please check the webpage for details of upcoming deadlines.
What is the Violence Reduction Unit?
Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (GM VRU) is a team of subject leads and experts from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Greater Manchester National Probation Service, Public Health, NHS, Education, Community Voluntary Sector, Victim’s Voice, Youth Justice and Local Authorities, addressing the underlying causes of violence and working together with communities to prevent it.
The community-led approach to violence reduction means the violence reduction unit works closely with communities to understand the strengths, challenges, and needs of the community and determine how local investments will be made with communities at the heart of decision making.