But first, a look back at 2021
As Sector3 enters another year we want to share with you how we're building on our service offering to foster a thriving third sector in Stockport. This year with the help of funds from Stockport Council, Stockport County and the general public we've administered over £72,000 of accessible funding, supporting 38 local VCFSE's and their communities. Our partnership with the Mayors Charity (Sector3 is the chosen partner for 2021) has raised nearly £11,000 and counting - vital funds that will be invested back into the sector. Through our 1:1 advice service we've supported 44 different organisations with guidance on funding, volunteering, company status and more. Over 60 individuals from the sector attended an event from our capacity building programme, furthering their knowledge and skills in preparing funding bids, marketing, digital and more. Working in collaboration with organisations across the borough we launched two thematic networks: Stockport Food Network and the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Network (building on the work of Nexus). Both networks are making great strides in strategic collaboration. We premiered Stockport's first ever Equality Month and Inclusion & Integration Fair, which saw 123 attendees come together to raise the equality agenda. We'll be building on the event this year thanks to feedback from the sector. We also launched the State of the Stockport VCSE sector 2021, a crucial report highlighting the health of our local sector and guidance for its preservation. In response to the sector's struggle to access community space we created a Community Venue database, sharing available space and encouraging spend within the sector.
All of this has been delivered working in collaboration with the sector. It's a word that forms part of our key values and an action we thread through our operational plan. This is how we'll continue to work in 2022.
Speaking of which...
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Your infrastructure support in 2022...
As promised we have some exciting plans coming up. In order to fulfil the demands of a growing sector we have recruited two new roles at Sector3 as follows:
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Operations Manager
Jamie has just started at Sector3. He will be overseeing the day to day operations, managing the delivery team and developing our service offering. He will also be implementing a CRM system that will help us to identify the impact of the sector and demonstrate its crucial role in our society. Jamie joins us from Citizens Advice Manchester where he played a pivotal role in supporting and developing their local advice services. He will be popping up at the next Cross-Sector and VCFSE forums where you'll be able to meet him.
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Engagement & Partnerships Lead
Kirit will be joining us in early February. Working in a full-time capacity, Kirit is looking forward to getting out and about in the community and meeting you all. He will be working with you to identify your support needs so that he can design an inspiring programme to support a thriving third sector.
Kirit brings with him over 25 years' experience of working in the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector, challenging the effects of inequality, poverty and discrimination at a local, regional and national level. He joins us from Voluntary Sector North West.
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Goodbye Simone...
This means that our current Community Engagement Lead, Simone, who has been holding the fort, will be leaving us. Simone has done a sterling job of supporting the sector on behalf of Sector3, running a bi-weekly forum, curating inspiring educational events and sharing her two decades worth of experience through our support service. All in 2 days a week! Simone will be leaving to concentrate on growing her own Social Enterprise, The Goodness Collective. This is not goodbye though. Sector3 will continue to work in close partnership with Simone and The Goodness Collective.
Thank you for your unwavering support Simone.
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Are you getting the best out of Sector3 and its services?
Make sure you're aware of the different ways Sector3 can support you and your organisation. The short, snappy video above communicates our services and how we work. If you haven't seen it please take a look.
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New VCFSE Hub
We are currently in talks with a local organisation to takeover a disused venue. Talks are not yet finalised but we will be offering a hub space in the not so distant future for community use and to host in person training and events. If you are interested in a co-working space please register your interest at info@sector3sk.org
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As ever, thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to supporting communities across Stockport. Please do get in touch with us if you need any support and we will do our best to help or put you in contact with someone who can.
We look forward to a new year working with you!
Jo McGrath and the Sector3 Team
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