Stockport’s Community approach brings Brighter Futures for Young People & Families in Adswood & Bridgehall
AdsBridge Youth Connection (formally the Stockport Community Alliance) is proud to mark its first year delivering community-led youth support in Adswood and Bridgehall.
Achievements include:
169 sessions delivered
313 individuals supported
Relationships with schools, police, and local stakeholders strengthened
Trauma-sensitive safe spaces created for vulnerable youth
Cross-estate friendships encouraged and community cohesion has improved
“Two months ago I didn’t know what Chloe was going to do after the summer. Now she has direction and something to feel excited about.” — Parent
“I’m proud of my daughter and myself for being able to recognise our emotions. I really liked how you guided me without feeling judged.” — Parent
SGT Gareth Davies, Stockport Police says:
“The partnership work in Adswood and Bridgehall has been significantly strengthened through events like the Stockport County Community Trust Family Funday. Being invited to take part offered a fantastic opportunity to engage positively with young people and their families. These moments of connection are vital—they help shift public perception, allowing people to see us not just as officers, but as active members of the community.
Such events promote trust and lay the foundation for long-term relationships. They also highlight the importance of collaborative efforts and community-led initiatives. Funding from the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) Community Led Alliance has played a key role in supporting this work, helping build safer, more connected neighbourhoods.”
Sally McFerran-Davenport, Stockports VRU Alliance Facilitaor says:
“We know that community‑led activity works because the people who live in a place know what it needs. When ideas come from the community, action is more relevant, more trusted and more likely to last. We’re looking forward to seeing what the Alliance can achieve together in year two, as well as the new projects that will grow from the VRU Mini Grants.”
Why Adswood & Bridgehall?
The two neighbourhoods were identified as priority areas due to high levels of deprivation, youth vulnerability, and limited access to safe, inclusive spaces. With an average Index of Multiple Deprivation score of 36.66 (compared to the national average of 21.67), these communities face significant challenges. Adsbridge Youth Connection was formed to respond with compassion, creativity, and collaboration, as part of the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction programme, seeking targeted community driven solutions to violence and anti-social behaviour.
Over the past 12 months, the Alliance; comprising of local Stockport community organisations PIE (Pursuing Individual Excellence), Stockport County Community Trust, TLC (Talk Listen Change); and recent new members, R Time; has delivered over 300 sessions, engaged hundreds of young people and families, and built a foundation of trust, safety, and opportunity.
Highlights
A Collaborative approach: The alliance approach has created a unified, holistic support system, amplifying positive outcomes for vulnerable youth and families across Adswood and Bridgehall, setting a strong foundation for future growth and deeper impact.
Co-ordinated multi-agency delivery: enabled members to deliver joint events offering diverse, tailored activities that boost youth engagement and empowerment
Strong referral pathways: created between partners, such as between Make a Difference and TLC, ensured families accessed trauma-informed support and domestic abuse services seamlessly
Strengthened Community Trust: The Alliance rebuilt relationships between young people, families, schools, and local police, creating safer and more inclusive environments
Maximised Use of Community Spaces: Shared use of underutilised venues expanded access to sports, creative, and social action projects, making activities more accessible and visible
Enhanced Strategic Collaboration: Shared calendars, resource pooling, and regular attendance at each other’s sessions improved communication and alignment across partners, strengthening impact
Capacity Building and Sustainability: Joint funding bids and appointment of a dedicated facilitator are laying the groundwork for sustainable, long-term delivery.
Looking Ahead to Year Two
The Alliance will continue to build on their delivery, learning from their first year of activity and adapting programmes based on participant feedback. Year 2 will see the introduction of a discreet bursary to remove financial barriers, expand school engagement, and deepen collaboration through shared calendars and joint funding bids. With a dedicated facilitator now in place, the Alliance is able to scale its impact and continue empowering Stockport’s youth.
The newly launched Stockport VRU Mini-grants paves the way for other local organisations with the insight, relationships and experience of working in Adswood & Bridgehall to supplement the work of the Alliance with further activity.
To find out more about the work of Adsbridge Youth Connection please visit www.sector3sk.org/ adsbridge-youth-connection
Impact on the ground:
Stockport County Community Trust
Focused on universal youth work, the Trust delivered 88 sessions including:
62 football engagement sessions across Adswood and Bridgehall
12 social action workshops where young people designed community improvement projects
13 additional football sessions and a family funday attended by 110 people
These sessions helped young people form friendships across estate boundaries, build confidence, and engage in positive activities. Coaches built strong rapport, steering youth away from risky behaviours like off-road biking and encouraging participation in grassroots football clubs
Quote: “Bertie has additional needs and struggles with confidence. The coaches made him feel safe and valued—he even invited them to watch his match, and they came. He was thrilled.” — Parent
PIE: Pursuing Individual Excellence
PIE led three major programmes around education and skills development:
Step Up: A transition programme supporting 17 young people moving from primary to secondary school. Activities included bowling, Blackpool trips, rock climbing, and crafting. 146 total attendances, with strong parental involvement.
Peer Mentors: Follow-on leadership training for Step Up graduates. 11 young people planned and hosted a family event for the next cohort, gaining budgeting, planning, and facilitation skills.
Moving On: A 10-day programme for SEMH and NEET youth disengaged from education. Activities included animal therapy, business workshops, and creative sessions. Several participants re-engaged with education or secured places on vocational courses.
Quote: “Two months ago I didn’t know what Chloe was going to do after the summer. Now she has direction and something to feel excited about.” — Parent
Quote: “I loved planning the event! We got to order the food and spend the money—it felt special when the kids loved the activities we planned.” — Peer Mentor
TLC: Talk Listen Change
TLC delivered the RESPECT Young People’s Programme, a 15-week trauma-informed intervention for families affected by domestic abuse. Their dual approach supported both young people and caregivers through:
One-on-one emotional regulation sessions
Parent support groups
Tailored strategies for rebuilding trust and communication
They achieved an 88.6% engagement rate across 44 sessions, with one family reporting a complete end to daily violence at home.
Quote: “I’m proud of my daughter and myself for being able to recognise our emotions. I really liked how you guided me without feeling judged.” — Parent
Quote: “We now have film nights and game nights together. It feels like we’re a family again.” — Young Person