From Altrincham to Partington and from Stretford to Sale, community groups in Trafford have been providing a helping hand to support those most affected by Covid-19.

Through our Community Support Fund, Forever Manchester has supported many groups in Trafford that have responded quickly positively and in many different ways to help those that need it most.

Our Sale West Big Local (pictured above) provided a local response hub, partnered others and co-ordinated volunteers in the distribution and delivery of foods and essentials. Friends of Stretford Public Hall, who operated the response hub for Stretford, delivered foodbank parcels, shopping, collected prescriptions, made well-being calls and produced community newsletters.

St John’s Centre supported the co-ordinated response for Old Trafford while The Hideaway took on the role of providing the community support hub for Partington, Carrington and Warburton.

The Trafford South Foodbank utilised their warehouse facilities to supply food parcels for all the emergency response hubs providing support for those in most need across the borough.

In Stretford, Create and Smile established a telephone helpline providing friendly calls, useful information, help and advice to support people with autism, depression and anxiety.

In Sale, BreathChamps set up live social media broadcasts and video presentations to provide information and support for young Asthma sufferers while Chabad Community Care supported more than 250 older people and set up the Corona Squad Delivery Angels to undertake over 900 trips to the shops.

In Timperley, G-Force produced a range of family focused food hampers, cooked meals and easy recipes to encourage basic cooking skills. In Old Trafford, Prosper Life Initiatives provided ethnic foods, toiletries and online sessions to support BAME women and their families.

In Altrincham, Domestic Violence Assist set up additional phonelines and recruited and trained volunteers in response to a 75% increase in referrals. The Trafford Domestic Abuse Services also responded to a large increase in demand by bringing forward their True Colours information and support programme to support those affected.

Groups normally engaged in music, theatre and performing arts activities supported their respective communities in a variety of different ways. Proud and Loud Arts in Stretford set up a series of clinical psychology group sessions to help those shielding or struggling with increased isolation. Seed Studios in Old Trafford took their community wellbeing music workshops online to maintain support for those experiencing mental health issues, emotional distress, and social isolation. And Theatre of the Senses partnered other local groups and produced food parcels to support as many vulnerable individuals and local families as possible.

During these uncertain times, the ability of local community groups and organisations to best help those most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic remains dependant on maintaining support for them.

Forever Manchester has delivered over £2.5 million in funding to support hundreds of community groups and organisations in Greater Manchester that have responded to the impact of Covid-19.

For more information about The Community Support Fund and how you can make a donation to help us continue to support community activity right across Greater Manchester, click the buttons below.

Make a donation Community Support Fund View the list of all groups funded to date

Date added: 23rd November 2020
Last updated: 18th December 2020