Sector News

Hearts & Minds are looking for more over-60s to join their mission to inspire the next generation.

Hearts & Minds are a friendly, creative group of older people who work alongside professional artists and musicians to make fun, thoughtful productions for children each week on a Thursday morning.

The big project
The multi-award-winning children’s podcast Armchair Adventures – a bit like a radio play, full of music, characters, and storytelling. It’s created by Hearts & Minds, inspired by real lives, and enjoyed by children all over the world!

Manchester City Council wants your feedback on the priorities for the Cultural Partnership Grants 2026–2029 funding round! 

A new consultation is now open, giving you the chance to shape how cultural organisations are funded and supported. Your feedback will help make Manchester an even more vibrant, inclusive, and creative place for everyone. 

The Our Manchester Voluntary and Community Sector (OMVCS) fund is operated by The Our Manchester Funds team at Manchester City Council to support the priorities of the 

The We Love MCR Charity is seeking an enthusiastic trustee from the VCSE sector to support its grant-giving work across the city of Manchester. 

Apply to join their committed board of trustees if you have:

The Youth, Play, and Participation Service is pleased to provide advance notice of the upcoming Commissioning process, it is scheduled to launch week beginning 9th June 2025. 

This funding opportunity is for organisations based in Manchester seeking financial support for projects over a three-year period (subject to annual funding approval). This initiative aims to support impactful programmes that align with Council priorities and deliver positive outcomes for children and young people.

Money Advice Referral Tool (MART) is now available as an online, interactive support finder for your borough.

If you regularly work with or support people who live in Manchester and who are struggling financially, you can use the MART to find appropriate advice and services for them. You’ll be prompted to answer just three questions before being shown tailored information on local support available.  

Shared Future CIC are looking for expressions of interest in joining their new Green Participatory Budgeting Organisers project.

Shared Future CIC has funding from the Network For Social Change Charitable Trust (NSCCT) to establish mentoring, advice and support for a new network of Green Participatory Budgeting Organisers.

Shared Future CIC are focussing on England, especially the north for the moment, but open to anyone who want to take their climate policy work to another level.

Funded by the Manchester Local Care Organisation for two years (April 1st 2025-March 31st 2027), Manchester Settlement (Charity based in Openshaw) is inviting written Expression of Interest forms from VCSE organisations specifically in the Ancoats, Beswick, Clayton and Openshaw neighbourhood (Manchester Settlement are looking for new applicants for this position and are not considering any prior submissions).

Greater Manchester Combined Authority is seeking to provide contract funding for the facilitation of the Greater Manchester Race Equality Panel. 

The Race Equality Panel was established in December 2020. The Panel work to promote racial equity, tackle racial discrimination and foster positive relationships between ethnically diverse communities.

As of April 2025, The Youth Alliance is starting its third year of funded delivery, and is looking for a Chair and Vice Chair of the Youth Alliance.

The role of Chair is currently held by Stuart Dunne, CEO of Youth Focus North West, who has been acting as interim Chair whilst the governance and operational foundations of the Youth Alliance GM have been put into place.

With over 160 members, the Youth Alliance is growing and being invited into exciting spaces to champion and advocate for the youth sector across the 10 boroughs.