Strong Foundations Community Grant Awardees Announced

Pre COVID we started on a journey of local giving in the Manchester area with social enterprise Semble and are delighted to introduce our awardees.

Back in February, following the launch of our Strong Foundations Grant, we saw nearly 100 community groups in Manchester and Salford apply for our community grant. With so many high-quality applications, competition was tough.

A panel of judges including Sir Robert McAlpine’s Contract Manager Paul Quinn and Director of People & Infrastructure, Karen Brookes scored the nominations against a set of criteria including whether the project increases community cohesion as well as boosting wellbeing.

We’re delighted to announce our awardees and wish them every success with their projects.

We’d also like to thank all those that made an application and we look forward to seeing the progress of our Strong Foundations Grant projects.

Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing more information over on our Instagram and Twitter pages so please make sure you’re following us!

Introducing our awardees

The Boiler House

Based in Hulme, this group runs workshops and courses to bring the community together, boost skills and employability and address social isolation.

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Bridgewater Community Garden

Funds will help to improve a garden that brings together several local communities of which a large percentage are low-income families providing a place of beauty and enjoyment.

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Don't Walk Past

Voluntary organisation that covers the city centre who aim is to increase number of events including handing hot meals, clothing and essential supplies to those in need.

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Emmanus Salford

Helping previously homeless residents gain practical gardening experience leading to aspirational training, opportunities & employability.

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Friends of Lightoaks Park

Making the community garden more accessible to wheelchair users so that they fully enjoy it and enjoy activities such as nature workshops, bird box making and painting.

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Lions Barber Collective

Providing a series of training workshops for barbers to talk to their clients to tackle men’s mental health problems.

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Manchester Histories

Three disabled artists were commissioned to express their voices at Manchester Histories DigiFest celebrating disabled people’s rights. Their aim was to reach disabled audiences and provide the artists with new digital skills, enabling them to improve their creative practice.

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Moodswings

Supporting people with mental health difficulties and emotional distress. The funding will be used to develop Moodswings’ community café and reach more people.

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Odd Arts

Working with vulnerable groups to raise awareness of vulnerabilities and tackle knife crime and social exclusion through art and theatre. Also supporting community with creative boxes throughout lockdown.

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