From hands-on tech sessions for families and young people, to greener community spaces, support for care-experienced young adults and a major popular event returning in the town centre, 38 projects across Stockport are set to spring into life thanks to a £909,526 funding boost.
The investment, through Stockport Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration Flexible Grant (EDRFG), will back grassroots organisations and local ideas that bring people together, open up new opportunities and make neighbourhoods even better places to live, learn, work and visit.
It means residents will soon see projects taking shape across the borough, including:
Family Tech 2026–27 – delivering hands-on digital workshops and events in libraries and community venues across areas including Brinnington and Offerton, helping young people and families build skills and confidence in coding, robotics and creative technology.
Digital Ready: Care Leavers Hub – supporting care-experienced young people aged 18–25 to build digital skills, confidence and pathways into employment and independent living.
Lancashire Hill creative community space – transforming an underused area into a greener, more welcoming space with new planting, community artwork and activities designed with local residents.
Stockport Spectacular Sunday Christmas event – bringing free live performances, music and family-friendly activities into Stockport town centre, helping boost footfall and create a vibrant experience for residents and visitors. The event attracted over 50,000 visitors last year.
Together, the projects will help more people learn new skills, get involved locally, feel less isolated, access support closer to home and enjoy better community spaces right on their doorstep.
The EDRFG is part of the Government’s Integrated Settlement, giving Stockport Council greater flexibility to invest in projects that make a real difference in local neighbourhoods. The funding supports a wide range of activity, from community and cultural programmes to skills development and improvements to local places, helping communities and the local economy to grow.
The funding also supports Stockport’s Live Well approach, helping people find more of the support, activities and opportunities they need within their own communities.
Councillor Micheala Meikle, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Skills, said: “This is brilliant news for Stockport and for the communities that make our borough what it is. More than £900,000 is going straight into local projects that will make a real difference, helping young people build confidence, supporting residents into new opportunities, improving community spaces and bringing people together in every part of the borough.
“What makes this so exciting is the sheer range of ideas being backed. These are projects designed by people who know their communities best, and they show the creativity, care and energy we see right across Stockport.
“We’re proud to back them, and I can’t wait to see the impact they have for residents over the months ahead.”
Helen Middleton, Director at Marple Youth Project CIC, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding, which will enable us to transform an underused space in Lancashire Hill into a vibrant, green and creative community hub. By bringing residents of all ages together to create artwork, grow food and shape their environment, the project will leave a lasting legacy of pride, wellbeing and community connection.”
Victoria Cronquist, Head of Smart Works Greater Manchester, said: “This funding allows us to reach young women in Stockport who face some of the greatest barriers to employment, confidence and wellbeing. By creating an inclusive jobs and opportunities fair followed by tailored workshops, we’re opening up accessible pathways into work and community life. It’s an investment that will help young women feel more connected, more confident and more able to shape their futures.”.