In this session, you'll be more informed of how to stay on top of all aspects of managing grants, through our toolkit, which includes: a 12 month funding plan; a Grant Projection plan; a Data Collection plan; a template budget; and a Monitoring and Evaluation Calendar.

Register for the Grant Management Toolkit here.

Book in a 30 minute on to one support session here

A heritage project can provide a wealth of opportunities for organisations and communities, such as developing new skills, improving wellbeing and creating better places to live work and play. Therefore, National Lottery Heritage Fund want to work with community, voluntary and cultural organisations to explore the potential that a heritage project might hold for them and how they might secure our funding to make it happen.

This event is for groups and organisations working in Stockport, particularly those interested in culture and heritage. You can watch this explainer video to find out more.

Join us on the day to:  

• Find out more about what we can fund, how to apply and how to get support. 

• Hear how Sector 3 can support you on your journey 

• Get an insight into Stockport Archives vast collection 

• Workshop ideas you might have. 

• Meet members of your local Engagement Team from the Heritage Fund. 

• Connect with other local organisations to build your networks. 

We are always happy to see groups and organisations who are new to our funding.  This event is the perfect opportunity to find out if the Heritage Fund is the right funder for your next project. 

Light refreshments will be served.

Register for ‘Unlocking Community Benefit through Heritage’ here

The GM Business Growth Hub , in Partnership with Sector 3, is inviting all Stockport VCFSE organisations to an all-inclusive Skills Development Marketplace.

Network directly with skills development advisors and receive tailored upskilling plans for your organisation and team at no cost to you.

Register for the marketplace here

Running a voluntary group, charity, or Community Interest Company (CIC) comes with important responsibilities—but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own! Our session will give you the knowledge and confidence to lead successfully.

Clare and Charlotte's workshop will walk you through:

✅ Your key legal duties and responsibilities

✅ Best practices for governance and financial oversight

✅ How to avoid common pitfalls and protect yourself legally

✅ Practical tips for running an effective and compliant organisation

Register for ‘Board Responsibilities Workshop’ here.

Register for this Meet the Funder here

Discover, learn, and celebrate our connection to nature at this free community event – and share your thoughts on climate along the way.

Register here

Book in a 30 minute on to one support session here

Kerri Swindells is a Funding Officer in the Greater Manchester Team working in Tameside and Stockport. Kerri will be available for a 15 minute chat from 11am - 1pm in our offices at Merseyway Innovation Centre to chat about available funding programmes, answer any questions, and talk through the National Lottery Community Fund's new strategy and funding priorities.

Book a 15 minute slot here

Are you a volunteer working in a Stockport-based VCFSE? Do you want to learn more about reporting on your impact to funders and stakeholders? Do you want to share best practice with other organisations and learn from peers? This is a session for you! Kell Degnen from Marbury Road Edible Garden will facilitate this session, talking you through a resource that they have built at the Garden to track their impact to share with funders, stakeholders, for themselves and on social media.You’ll receive a copy of this and have the chance to tailor it in the session to your organisation.

Sounds like you? Sign up here.

A new opportunity for Stockport's VCFSE sector to find out about new funds, share information and network.

Register for the Income Club meeting here.

Book a 30 minute slot to discuss support needs for your voluntary,c ommunity, faith based group, social enterprise or charity in Stockport.

This interactive workshop aims to help you improve your confidence and increase your chances of successful funding bids, through:

• Knowledge of key funding terms

• Better understanding of funding eligibility and criteria

• Knowledge on how to answer key questions for every bid

• Top tips to put into practice

Register for ‘Intro to bidwriting’ here

Kerri Swindells is a Funding Officer in the Greater Manchester Team working in Tameside and Stockport. Kerri will be here to tell you more about the Funds on offer, how to apply and answer any questions. Kerri will also be able to outline and talk through the National Lottery Community Fund's new strategy and funding priorities.

Register for the Meet the Funder here.

Free for people working / volunteering in the VCFSE sector in Greater Manchester

Register here

GM Moving has been working with Merseyside Sports Partnership on a joint ambition to advance gender equality in sport, physical activity and movement across the twin-city regions.

This event is open to everyone—from grassroots organisers to strategic leaders, from local champions to national influencers.

The two-hour interactive event will provide:

-An update on plans for Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to jointly sign the IWG Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration

-An opportunity to hear from colleagues about She Inspires, Right to the Streets and Girls on the Go to celebrate brilliant work already happening across the two city regions.

-A better understanding for all partners on the challenges through data and insights, and an exploration of the systemic and cultural conditions shaping the women and girls work.

-Mobilisation of the collective energy, leadership and action across sectors and communities using the opportunity of the IWG being in the UK as a catalyst for change.

Register for this event here

Thinking of setting up a group and not sure what the difference between a CIC, CIO, or incorporated group is?

This is a 2-hour workshop which will run through the different types of VCFSE structures, the steps needed to set up, and the essentials needed to run your group. The team at The Vernon Building Society and Foundation will then join us to answer any questions for the last 30 minutes, for example, on how to open a bank account with them, the grants they offer, and accessing their spaces for free.

Register for ‘Choosing a VCFSE group structure’ here

An opportunity to go through your Stockport VCFSE Work & Skills Fund applications with the Sector 3 team before the deadline

Register here.

Run by Jo and Simone, Sector 3, this interactive Social Enterprise Health Check Workshop is designed to help you take a step back and reflect on how your organisation is doing. Whether you're just getting started or already established, this session will guide you through a structured organisational check-up covering areas such as:

• Structure and governance

• Financial planning and sustainability

• Key policies and safeguarding

• Measuring impact

• Community connections and visibility

• Training and development needs

You’ll leave with a better understanding of what’s going well, where support might be needed, and what actions you can take next.

Register for the Social Enterprise Health Check workshop here.

Book in a 30 minute on to one support session here

A space for you to share concerns and challenges about your community organisation with peers.

Please email john.clarke@sector3sk.org to book

Do you facilitate peersupport sessions in Greater Manchester? Join this online Q&A session to learn how to support peers affected by suicide.

The Q&A will be led by a peer group facilitator from ‘START’, which brings together suicide attempt survivors, those experiencing or have experienced suicidal thoughts and/or ideation.

Monday 29 September, 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Online

Register for this Meet the Funder session here.

Emergencies like floods, wildfires, civil disorder and pandemics don’t affect everyone in the same way. Communities already facing inequality experience the greatest impact but their voices are often missing from emergency planning.

Salford CVS, on behalf of 10GM, is running a series of focus groups to hear directly from VCFSE organisations about what’s needed to make emergency preparedness more inclusive.

They want to understand:

-What’s worked well in the past, and what hasn’t

-What support your communities need in emergencies

-What’s missing from current planning

-What barriers exist that prevent your community from accessing help or being heard

-How trusted local organisations like yours can play a bigger role in emergency response

-How we can work together to build something better

Your insights will help shape:

-A toolkit for VCSEF organisations to embed emergency preparedness into their everyday work

-A toolkit for Local Resilience Forums to better understand and engage with communities of identity

Focus Group Dates - please contact Jesse.Noon@salfordcvs.co.uk to book a place

Participants will receive a £25 voucher

This practical workshop is designed especially for Stockport's VCFSE organisations who want to explore the potential of selling second-hand goods online.

Kaylie and Charlotte will help you to:

• Learn the pros and cons of platforms like eBay, Vinted, Facebook Marketplace, Depop and EtsyDiscover what sells best (and where!)

• Get top tips on photography, promotion and marketing your causeFind out how selling preloved items can support your journey to becoming more sustainable and carbon-consciousMake the most of volunteer time, manage messaging and logistics, and keep your sanity while doing it!

Whether you're looking to raise funds, reduce waste, or raise awareness of your cause, this workshop will leave you full of ideas and feeling equipped to take the next step.

Register for ‘From Preloved to Profit’ here

Book in a 30 minute on to one support session here

Since June 2017, the Mayor of Greater Manchester has hosted Question Time events. Partnered with key regional media, the Mayor's Question Time aims to highlight and answer questions on local issues, posted by members of the public. This is your opportunity to have a voice on the concerns that matter to you.

The next Mayor's Question Time event is on Thursday 18 September. The event will take place at Edgeley Park. 7pm arrival for a 7:30pm start. 

The host for the event will be confirmed closer to the time, and will shortlist questions submitted by the public before the event. However, you will be able to raise your hand over the course of the evening and the host may choose to come to you to ask a question.

Connect with local Stockport organisations and find volunteer opportunities that match your interests and skills. Whether you're an animal lover, a green champion, or a mentor-in-the-making, there's something for everyone.

Book in a 30 minute on to one support session here

As Stockport's charity infrastructure support organisation, we provide fully-funded advice, guidance and networking across the borough.

Our office is based in the town centre, and even though as a team we visit different groups, events and meetings across Stockport, this session is specifically for groups and organisations based in / working in the Heatons.

We'll be based at The Heatons Centre for the afternoon so please come and see us to chat through any concerns, ideas or feedback you have regarding your community group.

Book a 30 minute slot with the Sector 3 team to discuss anything related to:

• Funding (bidwriting, which funds to apply for and more)

• Fundraising

• Trading & generating a sustainable income

• Governance

• Volunteer Management & Recruitment

• Organisation structure

• Marketing

• Impact reporting

And more