December's Awards!

Throughout the year, our Trustees award grants from our two core funds. The 'Stronger Communities Fund' (SCF), where we provide funding to groups making positive differences in their communities, and the 'Manchester's Rising Stars Fund' (MRSF) where we award grants supporting ambitious young Mancunians from disadvantage in their next steps to success. 

In our final awards of 2025, we have awarded £40,478 through our Stronger communities fund, awarding 12 groups.  We have also awarded 5 young people through our Manchester’s rising stars fund over £11,000!  Here is the full list of the fantastic local community groups and ambitious young Mancs we supported, and we look forward to sharing further details about them with you as their projects develop. 

Stronger Communities Fund Awards: 

Easy Come, Easy grow Manchester  

Easy Come, Easy Grow Mcr are a resident-led social enterprise on a mission to clean up and green up Newton Heath. As one of Manchester’s most deprived areas, The areas often faces challenges around access to fresh food and green spaces. They offer workshops on sustainability, nature, and growing your own food, they aim to teach people how to grow their own food in an area classed as a food desert and help alleviate some of the pressures of the cost of living.  They pride themselves on being accessible, inclusive, and eco-friendly.   

Easy come, Easy grow have been awarded £3990 to transform a local alleyway into a vibrant community space where residents can come together, connect, and celebrate the rich diversity of Newton Heath. The area is a hotspot for fly tipping and will benefit the 49 houses that surround the alleyway and residents further afield. 

We are over the moon to receive this award. This funding will help us continue to create greener, safer and more welcoming spaces, reduce fly-tipping, and bring neighbours together. This support will show what we can achieve when we work collectively and help build pride and connection in our community!

Walking Mum’s club 

Walking Mum’s Club CIC (WMC) was created to make early parenthood less lonely and more supported. WMC's vision is for every mum in Manchester to feel connected, confident and informed, whatever her background or income. They believe that when parents are healthy and happy, families and communities are stronger too. They currently run 9 weekly walks across the city including Alexandra Park, Whitworth Park, Platt Fields, Wythenshawe, Debdale and Miles Platting. The walks are gentle and pram friendly, designed for all fitness levels and stages of recovery. 

WMC have been awarded £3500 support the walks with room hire and costs for external professionals to visit and support. 

‘Thank you so much for supporting Walking Mums Club. This funding honestly means so much to us and to the mums we walk with each week. It will help us run more sessions, reach parents who are feeling really isolated and make sure our Mama Leaders have the tools and confidence they need. We see every day how much a simple walk can lift a mum who feels lonely or unsure where to turn. Your support helps us keep showing up for families across Manchester, and it really will make such a difference. Thank you again!'

Creative confidence 

Creative Confidence is a community interest company that delivers mental health workshop that inspire and engage, building confidence through creativity. They use performing arts as tool to enable individuals to increase their confidence and develop social interactions within their local community.  The sessions are aimed at supporting individuals with low level mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, loneliness/isolation, long term health conditions, caring responsibilities and unemployment.   

They have been awarded £4000 to deliver creative confidence sessions in North Manchester.  

‘We would like to say a huge thank you to We Love Manchester for your incredible support. Your generosity helps Creative Confidence continue delivering vibrant and exciting workshops across North Manchester—spreading positivity and bringing people together through game-show hosting, Makaton signing, rapping, performance poetry, and more’ 

Click safe club 

ClickSafe Club CIC is an education technology and community organisation empowering young people through STEM, digital skills, and online safety. They envision a future where every child and young person has the tools, confidence, and opportunity to thrive in a technology-driven world. By combining STEM education with digital innovation and hands-on learning, they prepare the next generation with the skills and mindset needed for future careers, leadership, and lifelong impact. 

Clicksafe club have been awarded £3600 to deliver STEM tots stay and play in south Manchester. 

'Thank you so much for this award. Your support will make a meaningful difference to young children and families in Moss Side by helping us launch our STEM Tots Stay & Play programme. This funding allows us to create a safe, joyful and inspiring space where 2–4-year-olds can explore early STEM through play, build confidence, and learn alongside their parents and carers to discover STEM and give parents the confidence and tools to support their children learning science at home.' 

Water Adventure centre

Water Adventure Centre (WAC) is a Manchester-based charity with a mission to use their unique blend of canoeing, youth, and play work to empower children and young people who face the greatest barriers in our communities. Their work builds confidence, self-esteem, and essential life skills, helping young people improve their lives and thrive in a supportive environment.   

WAC have been awarded £3000 to deliver youth sessions at Newton Heath and Chorlton water park. 

'Thank you so much to everyone at We Love MCR! Your incredible support means the world to us. This funding will help us bring our youth and play projects to life. Delivering free water activities to young people in Manchester who might never have had the chance to experience outdoor sports. Your generosity isn’t just a donation; it’s an investment in hope, confidence, and opportunity. Because of you, we can create safe, fun, and inclusive spaces where young people can thrive, discover new passions, and build memories that last a lifetime. From all of us at WAC, the biggest thank you! Your belief in what we do inspires us every day and helps turn our vision into reality. Once again, thank you for being part of this journey with us!'  

Family unit Trust 

Family Unit Trust (FUT) are a grassroots, lived-experience charity based in Miles Platting. They support children, young people, women, and families affected by cancer, hardship, and social isolation. They provide numerous support sessions to support this community including youth sessions, women connect sessions, a foodbank, wellbeing and dance sessions and cancer advocacy and support.   

Family Unit trust have been awarded £3500 to deliver dance and wellbeing sessions for families affected by cancer. 

'We are incredibly grateful to We Love MCR for this award. It will make a meaningful difference to Safe Spaces where Children and Families Rebuild Confidence and Connection, enabling us to support families facing loneliness and isolation alongside the challenges of cancer, poverty, and ongoing hardship. This funding will help us create safe, welcoming spaces where children and families can rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships, and feel less alone during difficult times. Knowing that our work is recognised and supported gives both our team and the families we serve renewed hope and reassurance. Thank you for believing in our project and for helping us build stronger, more connected communities across Manchester. '

Jelly Tots play group 

Jelly Tots play group is a completely non-religious, parent-led community group that operates on a non-profit basis and open to all families in the local area. Meeting every Monday and Thursday from 9:00-11:30am during term time, Jelly Tots creates a warm, welcoming space where babies and pre-school children (0-4 years) can play, explore, and develop crucial social and developmental skills together. Equally important, it provides parents, guardians, grandparents, and childminders with vital opportunities to build friendships, share experiences, and combat the isolation that can affect families during the early years of parenting. 

Jelly Tots have been awarded £2890 to update and replace some much loved toys and support with their running costs. 

'Thank you so much MCR charity for your grant support for Jelly Tots! Your generosity will make a significant impact on not just the lives of the children and their development - extending the of knowledge through play, but their parents and carers by increasing the sense of community; fighting isolation and strengthening community cohesion.'   

Mandem Meet up 

Mandem Meetup is a grassroots charity promoting, correcting and improving the conversation around men’s mental health and wellbeing. They aim to provide an open, inclusive community for all those who identify as a man, integrating a range of social, holistic and more ‘traditional’ forms of clinical support, ranging from psycho-social interventions and recreational activities, to practical advice and guidance, as well as peer to peer talking circles. They recognise how many men struggle with isolation, pressure, and silence around mental health and they've grown into a grassroots movement creating spaces where men can talk, heal, and belong. 

Mandem meet up have been awarded £3000 to deliver talking circles in Old Moat and Withington 

'We at Mandem Meetup are absolutely buzzing to receive this award from the Lord Mayor’s Charity. Our work in Withington and Old Moat is gaining momentum and this allows us to continue supporting lads that are often underserved. Big ups to everyone involved, big ups the Trustees and we’re looking forward to creating a wonderful relationship with the charity and welcoming all as part of our ever-growing community. Come as you are, you’re welcome here.' 

Live Well with Parkinson's 

Parkinson’s UK are a charity that supports every Parkinson’s journey. Their one mission is to make life with Parkinson’s better, today. Campaigning for better health and care services. Funding research into ground breaking new treatments - The North Manchester group deliver activities and support for people with Parkinson's, their carers and friend in the local area.   

The group have been awarded £3983 to deliver their living well dancing sessions to sufferers of Parkinson's in north Manchester

'We are so uplifted since receiving the news of our successful funding bid. Thanks to We Love Manchester charity we can breathe out now, safe in the knowledge that we can keep meeting every week, to dance, talk and support each other well into 2026' 

Happy Mondays Task force 

The Inspired Taskforce began as a small but determined initiative focused on addressing growing challenges faced by older residents in communities. As neighbourhoods became less age-friendly, their mission was clear: “Creating a better world for older people”.  They aim to deliver impactful community projects and support services for older residents. They do this through social groups, advocacy, education, and care, running activities six out of seven days a week, offering a wide range of sessions from chair-based dance exercise classes to book clubs, and digital skills sessions to Sunday lunches 

They have been awarded £4000 to deliver 2 years of weekly creative workshops. 

'We would like to express our sincere gratitude for this award, which will make a real difference to our Happy Mondays programme. As an independent charity, working closely with people over 50, we see every day how important creativity and social connection are for wellbeing. This funding allows us to offer free craft activities, removing financial barriers and ensuring that everyone has the chance to take part, feel included, and enjoy something positive each week'

Tyme for everyone Arts and Crafts 

Thyme for everyone Arts and crafts group aim to bring together members of the community in a supportive and inclusive environment.  They are a small arts and crafts group for over 50s based at an extra care scheme in Burnage who have been running for two years. The participants are predominantly from 60-90 years and most have disabilities including ill mental health, cognitive impairment/dementia, mobility and dexterity complaints, incontinence and other concerns. They state having a social and creative outlet has the effect of lowering risk for certain health conditions such as cognitive decline, depression, anxiety and stress. 

They have been awarded £2600 to deliver sessions and expand their membership 

Greater Manchester Ethiopian Community Association 

The Greater Manchester Ethiopian Community Association (GMECA) work to support, unite, and empower Ethiopians and other migrants across Greater Manchester. Their current work is focused in Manchester with a long-term vision to reach communities across the region. GMECA exists to reduce isolation, celebrate culture, and create opportunities for belonging and integration. Their work is rooted in the lived experience of our trustees and volunteers, many of whom have personally faced the challenges of settling in a new country and building community from the ground up. 

The GMECA have been awarded £3000 to deliver women's dancing sessions to the refugee community in Hulme.

Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund Awards 

A, 15 from Gorton and Abbey Hey, has ambitions to work in construction.  He has been awarded £1820 for tutoring for his GCSE’s so he can reach his full potential.

'Thank you for helping me in my education and pushing me further. This will help me pass my GCSE’s and have a better chance at college and in my future '

M, 17, from Higher Blackley, is a young artist with ambitions to produce and release his own music.  He has been awarded £2500 for music recording equipment to support these ambitions.  

'Thank you We Love MCR charity for providing me the equipment i need to further my career. This will have a big impact on my creation of musical work and will help me in years to come'

Blake, 24 from Chorlton wants to be an illustrator.  He has been awarded £1599 for a specialist laptop to support his work.  

'This award has provided me with the right tools to create pieces of artwork and enables me to express my personality and strengths in a creative way. I am so grateful to receive this award and would not be able to pursue my interests in this area without this.'

Patryck, 16 from Harpurhey, has ambitions to play volleyball for England.  He has been awarded £500 some new equipment and towards travel to his training. 

'I just want to say thank you to the We Love MCR Charity and all those involved with it for giving me an opportunity that makes it possible for me to be on the same footing as other athletes, and because of this I can keep playing the sport I love!'

Eden, 22 from Moston has ambitions to be an opera singer.  This is Eden’s third award from the fund, supporting him to complete his masters at RNCM. 

'I cannot thank We Love Manchester Charity enough for the unwavering support through my journey so far as a musician. This is my third award from the Rising Star Fund after a drop in funding and I am completely humbled by the generosity of everyone at WLMC - not just of money, time too!'