We Love MCR Charity latest grants! April 2025

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.

We awarded 5 SCF grants and 1 MRSF grant in April 2025 which came to a total of £12,921! 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

• String of Hearts CIC (Central Manchester)

About: An intergenerational music project pairing 50 housebound older adults with young musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). Over 12 weeks, musicians conduct fortnightly home visits for singing, storytelling, and collaborative songwriting. The project combats isolation while bridging generational gaps, with participants describing the sessions as “a burst of joy in quiet lives.”

Award: £4,000 to deliver musical home visits for 50 older adults in central Manchester from April 2025 to March 2026. The grant covers musician training, travel, and instruments, ensuring isolated individuals receive personalised, creative support in their homes.

“Music isn’t just sound—it’s connection. This grant lets us bring harmony to those who need it most.”

– String of Hearts Team

• The Inspirational Women (Ancoats and Beswick)

About: This dynamic group creates safe spaces for BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) women in Beswick who face isolation. Their six-month project (June–December 2025) includes weekly peer support groups, skill-building workshops (confidence, communication, budgeting), and cultural celebrations to foster belonging. Collaborating with local volunteers and BAME organisations, they tailor activities to participants’ cultural needs, ensuring accessibility and relevance.

Award: £1,500 to support 12 sessions for up to 40 women, focusing on mental health, creative activities, and practical skills. The grant also funds one-to-one mentoring for 15 women facing barriers like unemployment or mental health challenges, helping them navigate these obstacles. Running from June to December 2025, this project will empower participants to build confidence and lasting social connections.

“Your generosity allows us to nurture women’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These workshops aren’t just classes—they’re lifelines where women become family.”

– Chizzy Ijeh, The Inspirational Women

• 4 Avenues Residents Association (Levenshulme)

About: A green-thumbed initiative to unite neighbours through the 4 Avenues Sunflower Celebration. The project distributes 100 sunflower-growing kits to households, culminating in a summer solstice street party on 21 June 2025. Residents will enjoy a traffic-free picnic, sunflower competitions, and live music—all while greening their streets and strengthening bonds.

Award: £578 to fund sunflower kits (seeds, pots, soil) and event costs for the summer solstice celebration. Running from March to June 2025, this project encourages urban greening and neighbourly bonding, transforming streets into vibrant, connected spaces.

“Sunflowers are just the start. This project is about nurturing pride in our streets and the people who call them home.”

– 4 Avenues Residents Association

• The Beautiful Minds - Embracing Ageing (Moston)

About: A weekly coffee morning combatting loneliness among 20+ seniors in Moston. Activities include social time over tea/coffee, health talks led by retired professionals, arts and crafts, and group walks. The group’s warm, intergenerational ethos helps seniors feel valued and connected, with many participants describing it as their “highlight of the week.”

Award: £1,600 to expand bi-weekly coffee mornings to weekly sessions until September 2025. The funding covers venue hire, activity materials, and capped volunteer travel expenses, ensuring more seniors can enjoy games, dancing, health discussions, and light exercise in a welcoming environment.

“This award means more laughter, more friendships, and more seniors feeling seen. Thank you for helping us turn coffee into community!”

– The Beautiful Minds Team

• Smithy’s Bereavement Group (Harpurhey)

About: A lifeline for 40+ members weekly, this group supports people navigating grief through bi-weekly meetings, crafting sessions, and peer support. Founded by Wendy Smith after her own loss, the group creates an “upbeat yet empathetic” space where members form lasting friendships and rebuild their lives.

Award: £1,600 to cover room hire at Holy Trinity Hall and crafting materials for six months. This ensures continuity for the group, which currently supports over 40 attendees weekly and has a waiting list of 60+ people seeking solace and community.

“Losing someone can feel like the world stops. This funding lets us remind our members that they’re not alone—and that joy is still possible.”

– Wendy Smith, Founder

Manchester's Rising Stars Fund

• Nauman, 19 , Longsight

Ambition: To become a full-time videographer and photographer. Nauman, a graduate of Loreto Sixth Form College with A Levels in Media, Photography, and Graphics, has already built a thriving freelance business. Starting with just his phone and free editing tools, he now offers professional services in weddings, events, and product photography. Despite earning and reinvesting in his craft, Nauman has had to turn down high-profile opportunities due to outdated equipment. His ultimate goal? To level up his work, charge competitive rates, and transition into full-time creative work.

Award: £3,643 – for a professional camera, lens, and SD card. This upgrade will allow Nauman to accept larger projects, produce higher-quality content, and grow his portfolio. With this equipment expected to last 7+ years, the grant is a long-term investment in his future. This is Nauman’s second We Love MCR grant, following a 2023 award for a laptop and camera that launched his business.

Nauman’s drive and resilience shine through in everything he does. From balancing part-time work to support his family to relentlessly pursuing his passion, he embodies the spirit of Manchester’s Rising Stars. We’re thrilled to support his journey again and can’t wait to see his business soar!

“We Love MCR has been a life-changing charity for me. Their support helped me start my career, and now they’re empowering me to reach the next level. This award will let me take on bigger projects and finally chase my dream full-time.”

Nauman in action!

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