As Greater Manchester’s Community Foundation, Forever Manchester is the only charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester. Benoit Properties started working with Forever Manchester in October 2021 as we wanted to fund projects closer to home, reinvest in the local Manchester community, and help those less fortunate.
Funding and supporting more than 1,000 community projects every year through grants and awards, Forever Manchester has poured over £57 million into local communities. It has been supporting community activity since 1989 and benefitted an estimable 1.2 million people who care enough to act.
Matt Lavin, Director:
It’s great to see the real-world impact some of these charities have on the local community and how they enrich lives. As a charity worker myself who benefitted from local funding during my youth, I know how much of a positive impact it can have.
Here are some of the community projects we have helped fund over the last couple of months, benefitting over three-hundred Greater Manchester residents.
Better We CIC, based in Longsight Manchester, aim to help those in need by providing help and advice on health, finance or language. To tackle the cost of living crisis, they requested funding for room hire, two computers, and equipment to help provide a free service to include advice and support on ways to manage financial pressures.
Chrysalis Manchester promote the welfare of people in Moss Side, providing employment and housing support as well as working with young people. They also run a foodbank and provide both a space to relieve isolation and a lunch club. The group requested funding to run 10 lunch sessions, encouraging people to cook the food together.
My Coldhurst is a resident’s association, based in Oldham, supporting its local community with a range of activities which include litter picking sessions, summer holiday activities and, during the pandemic, delivery of food parcels. They also host football sessions to tackle anti-social activity and to give young people a positive outlet. My Coldhurst requested funding to cover pitch fees and coaching costs for 15 sessions.
String of Hearts CIC connects older adults through music-making to help reduce isolation. They deliver regular music sessions and music phone calls to help users express themselves and explore their creative side. Their latest project is to build community cohesion and improve wellbeing in the wider area for Old Trafford residents. They requested funding for facilitators and artists, to deliver 10 sessions in the community.
West End Tiny Tots are a voluntary toddler group for families and carers based in Ashton-under-Lyne. They promote a safe and friendly place for children to play and socialise, offering a wide range of toys and equipment, whilst the adults chat over a brew and share parenting advice and support. The voluntary group requested funding for venue hire to cover 36 sessions.
Whether you’re a company or an individual, you can support local people to do extraordinary things by joining the Forever Manchester movement. Find out more and get involved.
