"By supporting local enterprises, we hope to ensure the long-term wellbeing of those that live and work in Stockport."
Collette King, CEO at Equity Housing Group
A social housing provider with properties spanning the UK, Equity Housing Group, has dedicated funds to the Equity Foundation Health and Wellbeing programme, supporting projects that improve life expectancy and reduce health inequalities in Stockport communities. Over the past year, Equity has invested more than £80,000 in a total of 14 projects, with a particular focus on improving mental health amongst high risk cohorts, including young people aged 11-18 and men at risk of isolation.
The Equity Foundation focuses on projects that support the development of the social enterprise sector in the Stockport area. The grants provide awards to community groups and support corporate partners to invest in grassroots projects they otherwise wouldn’t be able to reach.
Over the next 12 months, the funding will support 14 projects, including SAZ Media, a filming and photography service that provides workshops focusing on mental health and wellbeing to the community; Sings4fun, a social enterprise that aims to raise awareness about the value of wellbeing, good health and community interaction through music and song; Stockport Progress and Recovery Centre, a registered mental health charity that provides a range of services for adults that experience mental health problems; Stockport Lads Club, a voluntary youth club providing positive activities for around 150 young people five nights of the week and football provision at the weekend; and Talk, Listen, Change (TLC), a local charity with a mission to enable men of all ages to benefit from healthy and happy relationships.
Collette King, Chief Executive at Equity Housing Group, said:“For five years we have supported Stockport based social enterprises both financially and by providing commercial guidance to ensure the longevity of each business. To support and improve the health and wellbeing of Stockport residents is a key objective of ours and this latest round of grants will address this. By supporting local enterprises, we hope to ensure the long-term wellbeing of those that live and work in Stockport.”
Emily Williams, Manager at TLC, said “We are delighted to receive this funding from Equity Foundation. It means that we can work with young men in Stockport to establish their own ways of sharing strengths and building relationships, equipping them with confidence long into the future.”
Lynn Barrett, Manager at Stockport Progress and Recovery Centre, added: “We are very excited about being provided with the opportunity to put our ideas, hopes and plans into delivering this very important piece of work. We’d like to say a huge thanks to Equity Foundation for their belief in our project.”
