Each month, our Trustees come together to award grants from our two core funds. The 'Stronger Communities Fund' (SCF), where we seek applications from community groups looking to make a difference in their area, and the 'Manchester's Rising Stars Fund' (MRSF) where we award grants supporting ambitious young Mancunians.
After September's bumper month, we awarded 2 SCF and 3 MRSF grants in October which came to the total of £8,920! Here is the full list of those fantastic local initiatives and young people we supported, and we look forward to sharing further details about them with you as the projects and Rising Stars' ambitions develop.
Stronger Communities Fund
Project: A youth engagement project where young people aged 8-15years old take part in a wide range of activities including multi-sports, arts, crafts and cookery on an open access basis.
Award: £4,000
Location: The sessions take place in West Gorton and Longsight two evenings a week.
We are delighted to receive this funding from We Love MCR. The funding will make a big difference to young people's lives during this hard time especially with the cost of living crisis. We will be able to provide a safe warm place, regular sessions for young people to attend, and a hot meal/snacks.
We also encourage parents to attend to provide support with information and guidance where it is needed. Young people can socialise with their peers, playing sports, arts and crafts, baking and many more initiatives to support their mental health and wellbeing. Our plan is to hopefully take them out of the environment on a 3 day educational residential in the New Year. As day to day living is very hard we are more than grateful for the funding and support.
Project: They want to build on the success and popularity of women's football, by creating girls only sessions for 7-15 year olds without the pressure of the team environment. Our funding will ensure the sessions can last for another 6 months.
Award: £1,600
Location: Harpurhey
We are truly grateful to be selected as a beneficiary of this Fund, we hope that it will help us bring communities together. We want to bridge the gap for young girls to get actively involved in football without the pressures of joining a team - a fun, friendly environment to enjoy playing football!
Manchester's Rising Stars Fund
Tapi, 16
Ambition: To attend university studying creative media after his current Creative Media college course, and develop his craft as a social media creator where he creates videos covering motivation, life skills and his experiences growing up as a young Black man in Manchester. Awarded: £1,135 For: A reliable laptop that will cover both his current needs and right up to university level.
"Thank you to the Manchester's Rising Stars Fund, I appreciate this so much. Now I can really take my skills to the max, and being gifted with this laptop means I can learn from my errors and continue to develop."
Lydia, 20
Ambition: To study dentistry at university. She is currently studying a pre-science and engineering course at The Manchester College after arriving to Manchester as a war refugee. Awarded: £1,050 For: A laptop of Lydia's choosing that is fast and efficient, speeding up her learning and opening up new avenues for her.
I am writing to express my appreciation to you for granting me a laptop. This award will help me in my ambition as everything is done through a laptop in education, and without one it is such a hassle. Thank you so much again.
Mike*, 17
Ambition: To study Computer Science at university Awarded: £1,135 For: A reliable laptop that will cover both his current needs and right up to university level.
I want to thank We Love MCR Charity, for accepting my application and for this reward. This reward will help me in my studies in both my A-levels and when I go to university. Once again, thank you and I really appreciate this as it will help me in pursuing my ambitions.