Stockport’s Labour-led Council is taking an innovative lead in helping community projects, through the launch of a Community Investment Fund. The Council is now asking for residents and community groups to come forward with any project ideas which bring communities together, prevent loneliness or encourage active lifestyles- to be backed by investments of anything from £200 to £10,000 per idea.
The fund is being launched in pilot form for its first phase, backed by an initial £25,000 to be awarded projects with the best bids, with the first phase lasting until next spring.
Councillor David Sedgwick, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance, said: “If you are part of a local community group or organisation, or even if you and some friends or neighbours have an idea on how to make your community stronger, then we want to hear from you and help turn that idea into reality by working with you.
“We know that there’s a wealth of knowledge and expertise in our communities that make a real difference so this is a really exciting time for anyone who wants to help their area.
“Alongside this investment we’ll be developing a set of online tools that will help you get all the support and advice you need so we can bring your community closer together.”
Councillor Wendy Wild, Deputy Leader of Stockport Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Stockport has passionate communities across the Borough that have a long history of developing ideas that benefit local people and local places.
“Over the years we’ve seen everything from art groups supporting those living with mental health conditions to dementia friendly cafes and drops-ins for those who suffer from isolation.
“It’s these kind of ideas and activities that we would like to invest in and I’m delighted that we are using this learning phase of the fund to try and help those who have a need to improve their health and wellbeing across Stockport.”
If you have some great ideas and want to find out more then please visit the Stockport MBC website for further details: https://www.stockport.gov.uk/community-investment-fund
If you run an activity or a local group in Stockport and want to be the first to hear about Community Investment Fund opportunities then please register your group on Stockport Local (www.stockport.gov.uk/groups), the Council’s community information directory, to receive information on when phase two of the fund goes live in the new year.