Projects

GM VCFSE Infrastructure Development

The Greater Manchester VCFSE Infrastructure Development Programme is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aiming to improve infrastructure support for community activity.

The programme runs until March 2025 and is delivered by the Local Infrastructure Organisations (LIO’s) across Greater Manchester. It focuses on priority areas such as Membership Models and Promotion, Website and Information Strategies, Social Enterprise and Social Investment, Voice and Influence, and Training and Development.

Thrive Trafford is leading on the programme for Trafford and is working with partners to improved signposting of support services for our VCFSEs in Trafford which was identified as part of the Trafford VCFSE Strategy, improvements to the Thrive Trafford website, and the development of social enterprise and social investment activity in the borough.

The programme also supports collaborative working and sharing of best practice between the Greater Manchester LIOs.

Supporting the Social Economy

Thrive Trafford is part of a consortium with 10GM and the other GM borough Local Infrastructure Organisations (LIOs) to deliver the Our Business: Supporting the Social Economy Programme.

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the programme will provide support to social economy organisations to deliver an alternative way of doing business in Greater Manchester

Bespoke specialist support will be offered to social economy organisations such as cooperatives, social enterprises, community businesses and registered charities. Some of the support activities we envisage offering include 1-2-1 information advice and guidance; networking sessions; specialist training courses; and peer mentoring.

For further information and support for social enterprises or to sign up to the Trafford Social Enterprise Network (TSEN) please click here

GM Recruitment Hub

Thrive Trafford is the lead partner for Trafford as part of a Greater Manchester project to create two new hubs.

The GM Recruitment Hub is a job board advertising vacancies in the VCFSE sector in Greater Manchester.

The Hub hosts a variety of roles across Greater Manchester, with jobs across all 10 boroughs – Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan including jobs in fundraising, marketing, campaigning, project management and leadership roles.

You can advertise your jobs on the website for free by clicking here.

GM Workforce Hub

Thrive Trafford is the lead partner for Trafford as part of a Greater Manchester project to create two new hubs.

We are all trying to make Greater Manchester a place where people can be healthy, happy, and live fulfilling lives. The way we run our organisations can make a real difference to the VCFSE sector staff’s health and well-being. Thrive is involved in creating a space to share best practice, collaborate on work, and support each other.

The GM Workforce Hub is a go-to resource for all VCFSE workforce needs in Greater Manchester. Explore HR, recruitment, talent development, diversity and inclusion, leadership, and well-being through networks, learning opportunities, and comprehensive toolkits.

To find out more and access the GM Workforce Hub please click here

State of the VCFSE Sector

Thrive Trafford is keen to understand the size, reach, spread, scale and diversity of the VCFSE sector in Trafford and the social and economic contribution it makes to the borough.

Thrive was part of the State of the Sector 2021 report which highlighted the below and which was used to influence the Trafford VCFSE Strategy.

  • There are an estimated 1,622 voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises making a difference in Trafford
  • 71% of the these are micro-organisations such as Friends of Park Groups and community groups supporting people who may feel socially isolated
  • Over 34,062 volunteers support the VCFSE sector in Trafford, amounting to 170,310 volunteering hours per week
  • The VCFSE contributes an estimated £139 million to Trafford’s economy

The Trafford report can be viewed here.

Planning is underway for a new State of the VCFSE Sector 2024 working in partnership with all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs. For the 2024 report partners are planning for a deeper dive into key areas of importance to the VCFSE sector.

For further information please contract Thrive Director, Chris Hart and watch this space for further information.

Violence Reduction Alliance Facilitator

Thrive Trafford is the lead partner on a new project for Trafford as part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) which aims to address some of the underlying causes of violence and then work together with communities to prevent them.

One of the flagship projects as part of the VRU programme is a community-led violence reduction pilot in each of the 10 GM boroughs focused on young people aged 10-25 and their families. The model aims to involve communities to identify priorities, problem solve and direct investment and interventions accordingly. A key step in developing the programme is the formation of a Local Violence Reduction Alliance – a partnership of organisations and communities.

With funding from the Home Office, Thrive Trafford on behalf of 10GM and the VRU are working in partnership with the Trafford Community Collective to employ a Violence Reduction Alliance Facilitator (VRAF). This role will is helping to establish the Alliance in Trafford supported by local partners including Thrive Trafford, Trafford Community Collective, Trafford Council, and local VCFSE sector organisations.

If you would like to find out more please contact the VRAF via the Trafford Community Collective website.

Fairer Health for All

Thrive has project managed and coordinated a Greater Manchester Build Back Fairer story of change video for Trafford which has showcased the development of the Trafford Community Collective and the beneficial outcomes of the Collective’s journey to help improve health and reduce inequalities.

Thrive commissioned a local media social enterprise Yellow Jigsaw CIC to produce a video which has been promoted through VCFSE and partner networks. The aim of the video along with similar videos produced in other Great Manchester boroughs is to provide best practice learning for professionals across Greater Manchester and made available on the Fairer Health for All Academy website.

The video can also be watched here.

Childhood Obesity Campaign

Thrive Trafford has led on a campaign for Trafford commissioned by NHS Greater Manchester inviting residents to share their thoughts around children’s healthy living, as childhood obesity rates continue to rise across the region.

Thrive has facilitated two focus group sessions with Trafford VCFSEs and parents which were aimed at reaching under represented groups that do not normally engage in consultation, and included people from different demographics and protected characteristics.

Thrive also launched the ‘The Real Picture’ survey which aims to gather thoughts on what lies behind the rise in obesity rates.

The survey will be used to inform a wide range of partners within the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership including NHS GM, local authorities, the voluntary sector and charities, health professionals and beyond.

The engagement which includes the important role of the VCFSE sector will directly influence a new strategic delivery framework to tackle childhood obesity across GM launching in 2024.

Scroll to Top
Skip to content