Grants help strengthen community services across Cheshire East

Cheshire East Council has awarded funding to a range of local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations.

This is being arranged through its new Enabling Communities Grants Programme, helping to strengthen community services, reduce inequalities and improve the health and wellbeing of residents across the borough. 
 
The programme brings together funding from several national streams, including the Household Support Fund, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, UK Rural England Prosperity Fund and the Better Care Fund. All four grant schemes were oversubscribed, highlighting the high level of need across the VCFSE sector. 
 
Councillor Jill Rhodes, Chair of Cheshire East Council’s Adults and Health Committee, said:

“Our Enabling Communities Grants Programme is a powerful example of how we can work alongside the voluntary, community and faith sector to improve the lives of residents across Cheshire East.  
 
“These organisations are at the heart of our communities, providing essential support, tackling inequalities and helping people to live healthier, more independent lives.  
 
“We are proud to support their work, and it is inspiring to see the real‑world impact these grants are already having for local people.” 
 
Three organisations have highlighted how the funding is already transforming their services and improving outcomes for local residents: 
 
Deborah Mills-Burns, partnership manager at Merseyside & Cheshire Armed Forces Community HQ, said:

“Grant from the Cost of Living Community Response Fund has been transformational for Armed Forces Community HQ in Crewe. It has enabled us to create a warm and welcome hub that offers a safe, inclusive space where members of the Armed Forces community can access vital advice, support, and opportunities for training, development and employment.  
 
“This hub not only strengthens individual wellbeing but also helps build a more connected, resilient and supported Armed Forces community across Crewe and Cheshire East.” 
 
Melisa Dickinson, manager at Alsager Community Support, said:

“The Healthy Neighbourhoods Fund grant has made a real difference to us at Alsager Community Support. It has enabled us to strengthen the advice and information centre by employing a centre supervisor, helping us build better processes and support more people from our local community. We are truly grateful to Cheshire East for their continued support.” 
 
Stacey Brady, Programme Manager for fuel poverty and climate change at Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire & Merseyside, said:

“We are delighted to be awarded a grant from the Cost of Living Community Response Fund to help residents across Cheshire East who have been adversely impacted by rising energy costs.  

“Through our Green Doctor service we will provide tailored in-home support with energy efficiency, including the provision of free small energy saving measures to help residents reduce energy costs and stay warm and well.” 
 
Working hand‑in‑hand with community organisations is essential to building resilient neighbourhoods and supporting residents who are facing increasing financial, digital and health pressures. This programme ensures that funding reaches the groups making the biggest difference on the ground. 
 
The council will continue to explore future opportunities to secure external funding and strengthen its partnership with the VCFSE sector. 
 
For more information on community impact through community grant programmes in Cheshire East, go: 

Community grant impact web page