Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
We’re proud to be making an impact across Greater Manchester through our partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, funded via the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. So far, we’ve renovated 17 community spaces and supported over 260 local NEET/at risk young people to gain hands‑on experience, skills and accredited qualifications, while contributing to projects that strengthen the places they live in. This build on our ongoing work across Greater Manchester’s grassroots cricket clubs through the Inspiring Generations partnership. More on this here.
Here’s a look at some of our projects so far:
Restocked CIC
Restocked CIC is created a community space in Stockport dedicated to upcycling, skill building and hands‑on learning. Working alongside local young people, we built new stud‑wall workshops for different trades, installed secure tool and materials storage, and repainted the space using vibrant colours donated by Dulux. The new workshops will support furniture restoration and upcycling, reducing waste while supplying essential items to housing association tenants. Restocked CIC will also run upholstery classes, giving young people practical skills, confidence and real experience in a supportive environment.
Get Oldham Working
Get Oldham Working, is a council service supporting local residents into employment, training and wellbeing opportunities. Working alongside 16 local young people – including Ryan, who’s working toward his goal of becoming an electrician – we installed new steel racking, built a dedicated fitting and therapy cubicle to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment and refreshed key rooms through painting and decorating. The improved space will help ensure all visitors feel safe, supported and able to access the full range of services Get Oldham Working provides, while giving young people valuable hands‑on experience and confidence in a real workplace setting.
Denton St. Lawrence Cricket Club
Denton St. Lawrence Cricket Club needed to improve safety and usability around the front viewing area of the clubhouse, where ageing metal railings no longer met safety standards for a one‑metre drop. Delivered as a two‑phase project, we replaced the deteriorating railings with a new, regulation‑compliant barrier and extended it around the full perimeter of the brickwork to increase usable outdoor space for spectators. We also added small tables along the handrail to create a more practical and enjoyable viewing area. These improvements enhance safety, functionality and the overall match‑day experience, supporting the club’s wider goals for community engagement and sustainable venue use.
Sholver and Moorside Community Centre
The community hub, with its large main hall and multiple meeting rooms, is a well‑used venue hosting everything from birthday parties and dance classes to gymnastics sessions and youth groups. It also provides alternative provision for local primary and high school pupils. Here we refreshed the main hall with new colours chosen by the community, supported by 14 volunteers from Dulux Decorator Centre. We also transformed an unused breakroom into a welcoming breakout room for youth groups, complete with a TV and play equipment, while converting the back of the space into much‑needed storage. The improvements have created a brighter, more functional environment that better supports the wide range of activities and young people who rely on the hub.
