28th August 2025
Community Stars supports local non-profits and we're excited to award the winners of our second Community Stars fund of 2025.
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As a mutual Building Society, we are responsible for giving back to the community we serve. We do this by supporting local charities and not-for-profits that do important work in and around Greater Manchester and Cheshire. That's why Community Stars exists: to celebrate and fund the non-profits that bring our community together. Here are the awardees for the second round of 2025...
Marple Dementia Drop-in meet weekly, providing a relaxed social gathering for people with dementia and their carers. It’s an opportunity for people living with dementia to get together and share experiences and information, support one another, and have fun! The organisation provides a safe and familiar environment in which to relax and chat. They host a range of activities including crafts, exercise classes, bingo, short film screenings, guest speakers, and entertainment.
Find out more here.
Collyhurst and Moston Amateur Boxing Club has a 100 year tradition of providing a space where people can go to train, learn new skills, and make friends, helping to create a positive identity for local young people. Their vision is for boxing clubs around the country to be delivering their boxing and intensive personal support programmes, to challenge and inspire young people to realise their unique potential. They want to increase community participation in healthy recreation through the provision of amateur boxing and non-contact boxing activities for all ages, abilities and for the community. They support local young people to make positive lifestyle choices.
Find out more here.
The Art of Joy Project is a non-profit community organisation focused on mental health and domestic abuse support. They aim to educate and empower individuals to understand their experiences, helping them break the cycle of abuse and avoid future toxic relationships. Their programs, including the Freedom Program, provide a safe space for survivors to learn, grow, and connect with others, supporting their journey towards healing and recovery.
Find out more here.
New Mills Youth and Community Project's mission is to provide a range of affordable, accessible services that benefit individuals, families, and the environment. They help in many different ways including: food and crafts packs for families during school holidays, free period products as part of their commitment to dignity and access for everyone, arts sessions for children, and more.
Find out more here.
Max Trax is a community-led cycle track in Openshaw bringing the community together by reaching out to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. They believe that bringing back old school hubs, youth development, and bringing elders together to defuse isolation is key to building friendships and future success in having a great community filled with care.
Find out more here.
The Safe Space Wellbeing Lab is a community initiative that offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for people to support their mental and emotional wellbeing. They provide creative activities and opportunities to learn new skills in a relaxed, judgment-free setting, aiming to be a safe, all-inclusive space for everyone.
Find out more here.
Friends of Ladybrook Valley are a small group of conservation volunteers who carry out various tasks in a local nature reserve in Bramhall, part of which is designated ancient woodland. They have been operating for 29 years and host local businesses, schools, scouts, guides and other conservation bodies who help them with their tasks.
Find out more here.
Coming Home Project is a grassroots, peer-led initiative supporting women across Greater Manchester as they return home from prison. They focus on delivering intensive support that prevents reoffending, homelessness, and isolation. They offer a trauma-informed 4-day workshop programme, co-designed by women with lived experience, that includes modules on digital inclusion, employability, emotional and financial resilience, and self-advocacy.
Find out more here.
Warrington Foodbank don’t think anyone in the community should have to face going hungry. They provide nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
Find out more here.
Acts of Kindness Heywood Clothing Bank are the only clothing bank based in Heywood, and they proudly support families in need across the wider borough, including Rochdale and Middleton. They receive donations of clothing from members of the public - mainly children’s clothing - and ensure it’s ready to pass on completely free of charge to people in need. They accept both direct referrals and those from social workers, support workers, and local organisations, including homelessness services.
Find out more here.
Poynton Home Education Group run an informal education and social group for 10-16 year olds. The majority of attendees are not in school due to anxiety, finding the school environment difficult due to neurodiversity. They provide opportunities to gain confidence, experience positive community, and try new activities.
Find out more here.
ARC Mindset CIC aims to provide professional coaching services to young people aged 11-25, teachers and youth workers in all school settings, colleges, youth groups, and community groups. The recipients of their coaching programmes benefit from tailored one-to-one support from professional DBS certified coaches to build effective strategies to cope with the demands of life.
Find out more here.
By sharing their time, money, resources and skills, Step Up MCR's small teams supports local projects making a real difference in Manchester communities. With a current focus on the North Manchester wards Ancoats & Beswick and Clayton & Openshaw, they currently support 45 active community-led projects boosting health and wellbeing, increasing learning and providing opportunities to people in communities.
Find out more here.
FikaWelie Mental Health CIC is a community-led organisation providing culturally responsive mental health support to African, Caribbean, and Global Majority communities, while remaining open and accessible to the wider community when needed. Their services include one-to-one wellbeing support, group programmes, and a specialised medicine support service for adults living with severe mental illness.
Find out more here.
Keep your eyes peeled for application details for our next round of Community Stars, coming very soon!