We’re super excited to announce our Community Award Shortlists for our Birthday Party on Friday 6th February 2026. Take a look below to learn more about these incredible community groups! Connecting Communities Award Given in recognition of a person or group of local people who have got together to use their skills and talents to put on activity for their community, connecting neighbours and strengthening communities. Atherton UK Days for Girls Atherton UK Days for Girls was founded by a local group of women determined to tackle period poverty. Initially self-funded, they used their own money to create reusable period packs. Through funding support and connections with other local organisations in Atherton and Hag Fold, the scale of the need became clear. The packs are donated to local food banks, the Salvation Army, and refuges, where they are often gone as soon as they arrive. Seeing the demand firsthand, the group has continued their work ever since, collaborating with local organisations to reach more people and make period poverty a thing of the past. Swinton Hong Kong Community Group Originally set up for those who had just moved to the UK, the Swinton Hong Kong Community Group began as a way for members to connect over games of Mahjong, a traditional Chinese strategy game. When a deaf member joined, the group decided to take a British Sign Language course so they could communicate more easily, a step that also helped them build stronger connections with the wider community. Today, they still enjoy their regular Mahjong games, but they’ve also grown into something more, proudly performing as part of a sign language choir. Proud 2 b Parents Born from a commitment to equity and inclusion, Proud 2 b Parents offers peer support, educational workshops and advocacy programmes for LGBTQI+ parents, carers, and their children. They serve as a vital resource for families navigating the complexities of parenthood in a world that may not always be accepting. With a focus on community, resilience, and social change, Proud 2 b Parents is helping build a future where all families are valued and included. Swinton Little Stars Each week, volunteers at the Family Hub in Swinton Gateway welcome children under five and their families to Stay and Play sessions filled with laughter, fun and creativity. From messy play and crafts to sing-alongs and story time, the sessions make a meaningful difference to families across the area, helping children develop and grow, and bringing the local community closer together. Valley Gardening Group From the heart of the Valley Estate in Swinton, the Valley Gardening group run a community garden where people can connect with nature, develop gardening skills and take part in meaningful projects. The garden offers opportunities to grow plants and vegetables, enjoy fresh air and build friendships – and beyond that, it provides a welcoming environment where people can take pride in nurturing a shared green area that benefits the entire neighbourhood.
This is the Place Award Given in recognition of a group working with their community to improve their local environment and sustainability. Bee Together Community Centre and Garden Bee Together Community Centre and Garden started as a volunteer initiative during the Covid pandemic to reconnect people through nature. Since then, they have turned a previously forgotten space into a vibrant hub, complete with a kitchen garden, orchard, flower beds, and an apiary. With workshops, gardening sessions, and a vegetable garden supporting the local food bank, it offers a space for learning, wellbeing, and community togetherness. Friends of Astley Tots Plot Once an overlooked and underused field in Wigan, Ley Rec, locally known as Tots Plot, has been transformed by Friends of Astley Tots Plot into a vibrant green space for both wildlife and the community. Volunteers have created meadows, ponds, and woodland, while partnerships with local schools and organisations bring a wide range of activities, from sports and skills training to community events. Today, the site is a place where wildlife can flourish, neighbours can connect, and people of all ages can learn, volunteer, and enjoy the outdoors together. Incredible Edible Brandlesholme Incredible Edible Brandlesholme brings the community together through shared gardening, walks, and mindful activities. At their Purbeck Park garden, children discover how food is grown, while residents of all ages take part in weekly walks and seasonal outdoor events. The garden’s harvest is shared with the local foodbank, helping neighbours support each other and nurturing a stronger sense of community throughout Brandlesholme. The Red Lane Growing Project At Red Lane Growing Project, local residents are invited to learn, play, and grow together. Families and volunteers cultivate and cook food, while children take part in games and activities hosted by the group. Sessions hosted by local support groups further enrich the space, and with a dedicated team of volunteers and strong partnerships with the wider community, the project encourages both skill-building and meaningful connections across the neighbourhood.
Healthy Communities Award Given in recognition of a group delivering activities that contribute to strong, healthy communities. Re-dish Re-dish are a small but dedicated charity working to tackle food poverty and improve general health within the community of Reddish. Through a combination of support groups, signposting, a local food bank, and a community garden, Re-dish is a vital service for those experiencing crisis. Whether through access to nutritious food, guidance on health and social services, or opportunities to get involved with their activities, Re-dish acts as a lifeline for individuals and families navigating hardship. Target Community Café Target Community Café provides healthy, three-course meals to the community on a pay-what-you-can-afford basis while offering volunteering opportunities that build skills and prevent people from becoming socially isolated. A key focus of the café is supporting individuals facing challenges, including those in recovery from substance misuse, through tailored volunteering opportunities that allow them to give back, gain experience and engage meaningfully with those around them. By making use of surplus food from supermarkets, the café promotes sustainability as well as supporting local families. Autism Salford Kids Squad Set up by three mums who wanted a calmer, more inclusive space than conventional play sessions for their autistic children, Autism Kids Squad has been bringing families together in Salford since 2023. The group runs smaller, sensory-friendly activities for children up to the age of 16, alongside creative workshops and community events, giving children the chance to play, learn and explore new skills at their own pace. Meanwhile parents can meet others with similar experiences, share advice and feel part of a supportive community. RADAR Founded in 2018, RADAR offer their assistance to asylum seekers and refugees in Rochdale who face housing and financial difficulties. Many arrive with very little and without a safe place to stay, feeling frightened and unsure where to turn – but RADAR provides temporary accomodation, financial support and connections to other services, creating a friendly space where people can feel at ease, cared for, and optimistic about the future.
For Everyone Award Given in recognition of a group running activities that supports equality, diversity and opportunity for everyone. The Quiet Space At The Quiet Space, children with diverse sensory or learning needs can enjoy a calm, peaceful setting tailored just for them. Away from the hustle of larger groups, they can try creative activities, games and quiet play in a gentle but structured environment, while their parents relax and find peer support. The group is a trusted space for its members, where friendships form, self-esteem grows and families feel like they belong. Rethink Rebuild Society Rethink Rebuild Society helps Arabic-speaking refugees and asylum-seekers in Manchester navigate their daily life, access services and settle confidently into their new environment. Through guidance, training and welcoming social spaces, the group helps people feel supported, included and part of a strong community. Village Manchester Football Club Founded in 1996 in response to the discrimination many LGBTQI+ people faced in mainstream sport, Village Manchester Football Club is a welcoming and inclusive football club, where everyone can enjoy football, build friendships, and feel part of a supportive community. Beyond the pitch, VMFC not only brings people together but also advocates for better mental wellbeing, inclusion and equality in football and beyond. Bold St3p CIC Bold St3p C.I.C is a community-focused organisation in Manchester dedicated to supporting mental health and wellbeing. Since 2017, the group has focused on helping people, particularly women and young people from ethnic minority backgrounds, manage stress and anxiety, build confidence and stay motivated through safe, supportive sessions and creative activities.
Forever Futures Award Given in recognition of a group who are sharing their skills and knowledge with others to promote lifelong learning and skills development. All Arts & Media All Arts & Media (ALL FM) is a community radio station in Manchester that uses radio production and broadcasting to engage vulnerable people, including those with disabilities, mental health challenges and members of underrepresented communities. By offering hands-on experience and creative outlets, the group supports those at risk of isolation to gain skills, boost confidence and make friends, while ensuring the voices of underrepresented communities are heard. Swinton Lions Community Sports Foundation The Swinton Lions Community Sports Foundation is a charitable organisation linked to Swinton Lions Rugby League Club, creating inclusive opportunities for people across Greater Manchester. With a focus on women and girls, disability, diversity, education and violence reduction, the foundation engages thousands each year in free coaching and activities that encourage participation, learning and a sense of belonging within the community. Youth Elements CIC Youth Elements is a youth-led social enterprise in Longsight, Manchester, helping children and young people aged 5 to 30 to thrive through their activity programmes. From their Action Van which brings fun activities like arts, sports, and health snacks straight into local neighbourhoods, to the One Drop Youth Stop, a hub where young people can explore their interests, try out new skills and receive mentoring, the group ensure any individual that attends feels valued and heard. Salford Community Upskilling CIC Salford Community Upskilling helps refugees and asylum seekers overcome language and digital barriers to access services, work and education. Through training in digital skills, English and employability, as well as one-on-one support, they help people navigate essential services and build opportunities for brighter futures.
Best Life Award Given in recognition of a group working with children, young people, families or the elderly to support them during their particular life stage. Mature Movers Made up of a group of ladies aged 75-85, Mature Movers have been dancing together for 13 years, meeting weekly for a dance and wellbeing session and bringing joy to the lives of local people through both small and large-scale performances. The sessions are an amazing opportunity for the women who attend to not only remain active and keep their bodies moving, but also to socialise and form strong friendships that ultimately have a positive impact on both their physical and mental health. Family Unit Trust Family Unit Trust provides practical support, advice and essential items to individuals affected by cancer and unexpected illness. Through direct assistance, they help people access the services and equipment they need. Since the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, the group have expanded their services to include the delivery of essential food and goods to vulnerable families, ensuring they have the support they need during challenging times. Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club is a charity led by local firefighters and supported by hard-working volunteers, focused on reducing youth crime and antisocial behaviour in their community. Through the provision of training and mentorship, the club helps build discipline and improve self-esteem, empowering young people to steer away from negative influences. Stretford Children’s Theatre Stretford Children’s Theatre is a community-focused organisation offering affordable drama and choir sessions for children and young people in Streford. Dedicated to nurturing young talent, the group provides a supportive space for children to explore their creativity, build confidence and develop valuable life skills. Through their interactive workshops, participants have the chance to express themselves while gaining experience that will help them in all areas of life.
