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Sector 3 Impact Report 2025/26
Strengthening Stockport’s VCFSE Sector
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Financial sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges facing organisations, with many groups reporting difficulty accessing funding and limited capacity to develop strong funding applications.
In 2025/26 we directed over £2.5m into Stockport’s VCFSE sector, double the amount from the previous year.
Supported organisations to bring in £418k through funding support and guidance
Unlocked new partnerships and funding opportunities with Stockport Council’s Economy, Work & Skills Team
Invested over £500,000 into upskilling the sector
Secured over £30k in sponsorships
Bought over £75k of goods/services within the sector
Created a platform for VCFSE’s to generate unrestricted income via the Proper Good Pop Up Shop
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Limited organisational capacity, compounded by competing responsibilities and a declining volunteer pool, is creating significant challenges for Voluntary & Community organisations.
In 2025/26 we:
Delivered 52 training sessions, benefitting 44 organisations - driven by the skills needs of our sector
Saw a 22% increase in volunteer applications through Stockport Volunteer Hub, with help of Stockport Rocks! Volunteer Awards and the Volunteer Hub team
911 volunteers registered on the hub, an 8% increase YoY
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Community organisations told us they want stronger community representation in decision-making and better collaboration between organisations.
In 25/26 we:
Successfully advocated for, and instigated, the Stockport Youth Advisory Group, securing buy-in and representation from Stockport Council and other key stakeholders. This is a pivotal turning point in positively influencing the reporting structure for Youth Services in Stockport with a view to increasing the standard of delivery and meeting the needs of young people locally.
Created the VRU Mini Grants scheme following a desire for Adswood & Bridgehall based organisations not already part of Stockport VRU, to be paid for their valuable contribution to it’s success
Advocated for local community organisations to be paid to gather insights about the health inequalities their communities face, via the NHS Community Voice Programme
Sector 3 Impact Report 2024/5
How have we been supporting Stockport’s VCFSE sector to build resilient communities?
Read the full report below or take a look at the highlights:
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In 2024/5 we directed £1,070,419 into the sector:
Supported organisations to bring in £271,096.48 through funding support and guidance
Secured £101,382 of grants for the sector including Kao SEED Fund and NHS Covid Awareness Fund
Invested £500,000 into upskilling the sector
Supported Social Entrepreneurs to access £93,000 in Social Invements
Secured £29,000 in sponsorships
Bought £75,941 of goods/services within the sector
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64 training sessions delivered, informed by the needs of our sector, often led by those with lived experience
111% reported increase in confidence levels
847 volunteers registered on the hub, 32% under the age of 25
1,1312 volunteer applications made through the hub
Delivered Stockport’s first borough-wide Volunteer Awards, celebrating over 200 volunteers
29 matches with local businesses wanting to give back
48 Proper Good Social Enterprise cohort members supported
Supported 34 emerging Social Enterprises
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Launched the Stockport VCFSE Alliance - a platform to open dialogue between key decision makers and community leaders
Created the Stockport Independent Funding Panel - a pool of volunteers bringing lived experience into funding decisions
Case Studies
Real life examples of our support in action, showcasing our role in supporting a resilient Voluntary, Community & Faith based and Social Enterprise sector in Stockport.
Encouraging sustainable income generation
"Support from Clare and Charlotte over the last six months has been valuable beyond words - I was on the brink of giving up entirely and they helped me to develop a realistic business plan, kickstarted it by commissioning my organisation to deliver a series of workshops that has now been picked up elsewhere, and generally encouraged and supported me through a tricky patch.
It wouldn't be exaggerating to say that Talk About Money CIC wouldn't exist without Sector 3's support."
May, Talk About Money CIC
With support from the team at Sector 3, and through a lot of her own hardwork, May has now created a series of insightful and valuable financial coaching sessions, catering towards need. The series has now been commissioned by Manchester Library and the Business & Intellectual Property Centre, Manchester.
Protecting our infrastructure, one party at a time
“It makes you realise how much people do... for free.”
For a second year in a row, back by popular demand, Stockport Rocks! lit up Stockport County celebrating volunteers from all across the borough.
Investing in Age Friendly Services Through Partnership
We worked with Stockport Age Friendly Network to distribute funding for vaccine awareness among their members, ensuring vulnerable residents were prioritised.
“Thanks to funding from Sector3, Age UK Stockport has been able to continue delivering the Meadows Early Onset Dementia Group, a vital service supporting people living with dementia in a growing and ageing Stockport population.
The sessions provide Age UK Stockport with valuable learning about how best to support people living with dementia through physical activity and social wellbeing. This learning is helping to shape future services that are adaptable, inclusive, and dementia aware.
Without this funding, the Meadows Early Onset Dementia Group would not be able to continue. We are extremely grateful to Sector3 for their support, which is helping to future-proof dementia-friendly wellbeing services across Stockport.”
Sector3
Impact Report 2021
Dear Colleagues & Supporters,
I’m delighted to share with you Sector 3’s first impact report.
It's packed with numbers, anecdotes and real life examples of the impact Sector 3 has had on the third sector in Stockport during our first 18 months in service.
By championing the voice of the sector, investing in Social Action and bolstering the sustainability of the sector; we are building a resilient future for the sector to thrive in.
A sector which will support vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities, for everyone in Stockport.
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the Sector 3 team, trustees, funders and supporters for working so hard to support our sector through an unprecedented period. Still lots to do but we are up for the challenge!
With Very Best Wishes,
Jo & the Sector3 Team
