Stockport Violence Reduction Unit -
Mini Grants

• VCFSE (Voluntary, Community & Faith based, Social Enterprise)’s actively delivering services and activities to support young people (10 to 25 years) in Adswood and Bridgehall. 

• Applicants must have worked within Adswood and/or Bridgehall in the last 12 months. 

• If Stockport VCFSE organisations are planning to use third parties to deliver elements of their activities, these third parties must be Stockport based and be able to evidence their ongoing and active work within borough. 

• Applications are welcomed by all voluntary sector groups, including faith-based groups. 

A total of £20,000 is available as a rolling fund over the next 12 months. 

Grants of up to £1,500 are available to groups of any VCFSE organisations who have worked and delivered support to children and young people in Adswood and Bridgehall in the last 12 months. 

Organisations can apply twice within the 12-month period, 24th September 2025-25th September 2026. Each grant (up to £1500) must have been spent in full before organisations are eligible to apply for the second grant (up to £1500). 

Priorities:  

1. A reduction in serious violence and anti-social behaviour.   

2. An increased feeling of safety and connectedness with the local community.   

3. Improved aspirations, confidence, self-belief, emotional resilience and mental wellbeing.   

4. An increase in positive role models for young people 

Projects must meet at least one of the priorities, and achieve one or more of the below outcomes for young people and the community of Adswood & Bridgehall:  

• A reduction in serious violence and anti-social behaviour.  

• An increased feeling of safety and connectedness with the local community.  

• Improved aspirations, confidence, self-belief, emotional resilience and mental wellbeing.  

• An increase in positive role models for young people. 

Examples of this can include:  

Project Proposal: Art Therapy Workshops for NEET and SEND Young People 

This project aims to deliver a 4 week programme of Art Therapy workshops tailored specifically for young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 

Project Title: Adventure Confidence: Reaching and Empowering Young People Through Outdoor Challenge  

The focus is on engaging young people aged 14–18 who are disengaged from education, at risk of exclusion, facing social challenges, or struggling with low confidence and limited opportunities.  

Project Title: Roots & Resilience: Nature-Based Wellbeing for Young People in Bridgehall & Adswood 

This project will provide a nature-based wellbeing programme focused on foraging, outdoor learning, and environmental action, specifically for young people in Bridgehall and Adswood. Inspire young people to care for their local green spaces. 

Proposal: Empowering Young People Aged 16–25 Through Mentorship and Skills Development 

This proposal outlines a program aimed at supporting young people aged 16 to 25 who are not currently in education, employment, or training (NEET). 

Organisations who are already actively part of the Violence Reduction Unit Alliance are not eligible to apply for additional funding. Separate organisations may apply for funding to support activities planned by VRU partner organisations. These activities must complement existing plans and must not replace or duplicate activities. They must also fit with the areas of focus. 

Organisations who are not based or actively delivering services or support to young people in Adswood and Bridgehall within the last two years are ineligible to apply. 

Applications will be submitted through a Microsoft Form available in English, Urdu, Polish & Arabic. There is an Inbuilt Reader for accessibility purposes. If you would like the application in a different format or require an additional language, please let us know.  

The application form can be downlaoded as a word document if preferred, here.

An independent panel, consisting of Sector 3, the Violence Reduction Unit Alliance Facilitator, Violence Reduction lead organisation, and an independent representative,  will assess applications against the defined criteria every second month.  

Applications will be closed for panel decision on the following dates (the next round will open immediately after):  

• Thursday 27th November 2025 

• Thursday 29th January 2026 

• Thursday 26th March 2026 

• Thursday 28th May 2026 

• Thursday 30th July 2026 (last round, applications will not be open after this date) 

There will be a maximum of 3 successful applications per round, however, the panel does reserve the right to roll successful slots to the next round if there have not been enough applications submitted in that period.  

Successful applicants will be required to complete a due diligence form that includes basic Organisation and Project information, and:  

• Safeguarding Policy from the last 12 months  

• Risk Assessments of Project  

• Public Liability Insurance 

• Health & Safety  

• DBS for all employees and volunteers  

• Basic level hygiene (if cooking classes etc) 

Sector 3 can assist in obtaining any of the above documentation. Please email info@sector3sk.org or call 0161 5322150 if you require assistance.  

Once Due Diligence is completed and a Grant Agreement is signed, Sector 3 will transfer funds (approx. 2 weeks after success email).  

Applications will be closed for panel decision on the following dates (the next round will open immediately after):  

• Thursday 27th November 2025 

• Thursday 29th January 2026 

• Thursday 26th March 2026 

• Thursday 28th May 2026 

• Thursday 30th July 2026 (last round, applications will not be open after this date) 

If your application is successful, you will be required to submit a case study with participation numbers, in any format, that can be used for an impact report. Sector 3 will provide a template that you are welcome to use. 

If you’d like to view the full application questions you can download the form in a word document here.