Unheard Voices
Leadership Programme


A practical pathway to upskill a fresh wave of community leaders in Stockport 

A Seat at the Table

Created to ensure real life lived experience continues to shape fair, informed decisions that improve the everyday lives of Stockport residents; this programme upskills local residents into future leaders, able to represent their communities and drive forward an inclusive Stockport.

This is a programme with tangible outcomes – visibility on boards and in meetings and a seat at the table. It is not just about being in the room, but being heard. 

By investing in local leaders, we can ensure that decisions are informed by community knowledge, lived experience and the voices of those who are often least heard. 

Three young people holding various tools, tending to a courtyard garden

About the Programme

Delivered by Sector 3 and supported by a range of expert delivery partners, with endorsement from Stockport Council, this programme will develop a new generation of leaders from across Stockport's voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector. 

This is not a leadership programme where participants complete a course and receive a certificate. This programme is about creating genuine pathways into influence, representation and decision making. 

  • Unheard Voices is designed to create real opportunities for influence. 

    Participants who successfully complete the programme will be offered opportunities to: 

    • Represent the VCFSE sector on strategic boards and partnerships across Stockport  

    • Join the VCFSE Alliance and contribute to borough wide discussions  

    • Attend regional Greater Manchester leadership and engagement opportunities  

    • Contribute to consultations, system change programmes and strategic developments  

    • Build relationships with senior leaders across the public, voluntary and community sectors  

    • Become advocates for their communities and the wider VCFSE sector  

    We want participants to leave the programme with the confidence, skills, networks and opportunities needed to influence decisions that affect local people. 

  • Participants will take part in a structured leadership development journey over a period of 12 months. (Sept 26 – Aug 27) 

    The programme will combine practical learning, mentoring, peer support and direct exposure to decision making environments. 

    Areas of development are expected to include: 

    • Understanding how decisions are made within local government and public services  

    • Understanding strategic partnerships, governance and accountability  

    • The role of the VCFSE sector in shaping local priorities  

    • Public speaking and presentation skills  

    • Confidence building and personal leadership development  

    • Influencing and negotiation skills  

    • Networking and relationship building  

    • Pitching ideas to senior decision makers  

    • Working with data, insight and evidence to influence change  

    • Community engagement and co production  

    • Media and communications skills  

    • Chairing meetings and facilitating discussions  

    • Systems leadership and working across organisational boundaries  

    • Understanding power, representation and VCFSE leadership  

    • Developing a personal leadership vision and action plan  

    Each participant will also be matched with a senior mentor from Sector 3, Stockport Council or another strategic partner who will provide one to one support throughout the programme. 

  • Applications are open to Stockport residents who are: 
     

    • Aged 18+

    • Volunteers 

    • Trustees 

    • VCFSE employees 

    • People with lived experience 

    • People who play a prominent role in their community 


    10 places are available on the programme. 

  • To apply, we want to hear from you. 

    Tell us what you would do with your voice if you had the chance to be heard by local decision makers in Stockport. 

    We are not looking for polished applications or previous leadership experience. We are looking for people with passion, commitment to their communities and a desire to make a difference. 

    The Unheard Voices VCFSE Leadership Programme is an investment in the future leadership of Stockport and a commitment to ensuring that community voices help shape the decisions that affect local people. 

  • Applications Live: Monday 27th July

    Programme Information Session: Wednesday 5th August

    Applications Close: Sunday 23rd August

    Shortlisting applications: 24th August – 4th September

    Application Interviews: w/c 7th September

    Successful Applicants Notified: w/c  14th September

Apply for Unheard Voices here

Information Session

Register for the Unheard Voices Information Session here