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Celebrating Community Impact across Cheshire East projects brought to life through the Cheshire East Councils Community Grants programme.
Our grants support the Voluntary Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector through delivering meaninful initatives that strengeth our communities, improve wellbeing and create lasting change. The impact of our Community Grants programme is seen in every corner of Cheshire East. From grassroots initiatives tackling social isolation to innovative youth programmes and vital mental health services, these grants empower local organisations to create lasting change.
Explore below to discover how our community grants are empowering VCFSE organisations and transforming lives across Cheshire East.
You can explore our list of current and previously funded VCFSE provisions on our Grants Funded webpage. For a detailed overview of the impact achieved, view the 2021–2025 Community Grants Impact Report (PDF, 1.6MB).
"This funding will help East Cheshire Hospice and St Luke's provide Hospice vital one-to-one befriending support for people in the last year of life and their carers right across Cheshire East. The service plays an important role in reducing isolation, improving wellbeing and offering much-needed respite. Your support will help us reach more people who need this care, while also strengthening the links between our Hospices; it will help us work more closely together to deliver consistent, compassionate support across the region. We’re extremely grateful for the donation and look forward to sharing with you the difference it makes in our communities."
"This funding will help East Cheshire Hospice and St Luke's provide Hospice vital one-to-one befriending support for people in the last year of life and their carers right across Cheshire East. The service plays an important role in reducing isolation, improving wellbeing and offering much-needed respite.
Your support will help us reach more people who need this care, while also strengthening the links between our Hospices; it will help us work more closely together to deliver consistent, compassionate support across the region.
We’re extremely grateful for the donation and look forward to sharing with you the difference it makes in our communities."
"The Cheshire East Council's Supporting Community Wellbeing grant has been instrumental for Dementia Disco in launching our Poynton Disco, enabling us to cover venue hire, food, equipment, raffle prizes, entertainment and promotion for a full year. It's been a massive success so far, with 6 events held since April and a fantastic 85 people at our last disco, proving the real need for these wonderful evenings!"
"The Cheshire East Council's Supporting Community Wellbeing grant has been instrumental for Dementia Disco in launching our Poynton Disco, enabling us to cover venue hire, food, equipment, raffle prizes, entertainment and promotion for a full year.
It's been a massive success so far, with 6 events held since April and a fantastic 85 people at our last disco, proving the real need for these wonderful evenings!"
"This grant has enabled us to open an affordable Pantry which is providing a safety net for local people, preventing them from requiring the emergency Food Bank. The friendships made at the Pantry enhance social cohesion, reducing isolation and provide people with a hope. Being able to pay a small membership fee and choose the groceries they would like, provides dignity and choice for all Pantry members."
"This grant has enabled us to open an affordable Pantry which is providing a safety net for local people, preventing them from requiring the emergency Food Bank.
The friendships made at the Pantry enhance social cohesion, reducing isolation and provide people with a hope. Being able to pay a small membership fee and choose the groceries they would like, provides dignity and choice for all Pantry members."
"YMCA Cheshire’s supported accommodation project on Gresty Road, Crewe, has installed solar panels on the roof of the building. This has so far generated 900kWh of electricity, all of which helps to reduce the burden of energy bills on the organisation, improve their green energy production, and increase their ability to invest in the community through new activities and engagement programmes. Without the solar panels, the ability to make this additional investment would simply not be there."
"YMCA Cheshire’s supported accommodation project on Gresty Road, Crewe, has installed solar panels on the roof of the building. This has so far generated 900kWh of electricity, all of which helps to reduce the burden of energy bills on the organisation, improve their green energy production, and increase their ability to invest in the community through new activities and engagement programmes.
Without the solar panels, the ability to make this additional investment would simply not be there."
"X came to the Community Pantry 10 weeks ago, during a difficult period in his life. After unexpectedly finding himself between jobs, X faced mounting financial pressure, struggling to cover basic bills and afford everyday essentials. Like many in his situation, X felt the weight of uncertainty. But with the help of the Pantry, he found some much-needed breathing space. Access to affordable food and friendly support gave Ben time to focus on what mattered most: getting back on his feet. “The Pantry helped take away some of the stress, so I could focus on finding work again.” Over the weeks, X continued his job search, and we’re thrilled that his efforts have paid off he has found himself a dream job. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” X says, a reminder to others who might be facing the same challenges he did. We’re incredibly proud of X and wish him every success in this next chapter."
"X came to the Community Pantry 10 weeks ago, during a difficult period in his life. After unexpectedly finding himself between jobs, X faced mounting financial pressure, struggling to cover basic bills and afford everyday essentials. Like many in his situation, X felt the weight of uncertainty. But with the help of the Pantry, he found some much-needed breathing space. Access to affordable food and friendly support gave Ben time to focus on what mattered most: getting back on his feet.
“The Pantry helped take away some of the stress, so I could focus on finding work again.”
Over the weeks, X continued his job search, and we’re thrilled that his efforts have paid off he has found himself a dream job.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” X says, a reminder to others who might be facing the same challenges he did.
We’re incredibly proud of X and wish him every success in this next chapter."
"X began receiving support from meals on wheels a few months ago, following arrangements made by her daughter, who lives out of the area. Prior to accessing the service, X’s diet had become very limited, which was impacting her overall health and wellbeing.The provision of hot meals, alongside the daily welfare check, has provided consistent nutritional support and reassurance. Regular communication has been maintained with X’s daughter, offering her reassurance that her mother is safe, supported, and able to remain living at home.Since engaging with the service, X has gained weight to a healthier level and reports increased strength and overall wellbeing. As a result, she is now managing more of her daily tasks independently."
"X is a carer for their disabled adult child. They attend the fortnightly ADCA carers’ group and has also attended the recent carers’ breaks – a trip on the canal with lunch and a visit to a local garden centre. The carer was recently been diagnosed with mild dementia which is increasingly impacting on them causing concern for their adult child, who lives independently, as to their future support needs and whether they will be met. ADCA’s Carer and Dementia Support Worker is providing the carer with more individual support and advice and has also arranged for another ADCA volunteer to befriend her adult child with regular visits to ease their social isolation. ‘Careers Feedback’ - We absolutely loved the boat trip. We used to go on so many day trips but it’s something we don’t get to do now. Seeing X out on the boat was a small snippet of our old life even if it was just for a few hours."
"X is a carer for their disabled adult child. They attend the fortnightly ADCA carers’ group and has also attended the recent carers’ breaks – a trip on the canal with lunch and a visit to a local garden centre.
The carer was recently been diagnosed with mild dementia which is increasingly impacting on them causing concern for their adult child, who lives independently, as to their future support needs and whether they will be met. ADCA’s Carer and Dementia Support Worker is providing the carer with more individual support and advice and has also arranged for another ADCA volunteer to befriend her adult child with regular visits to ease their social isolation.
‘Careers Feedback’ - We absolutely loved the boat trip. We used to go on so many day trips but it’s something we don’t get to do now. Seeing X out on the boat was a small snippet of our old life even if it was just for a few hours."
"A female aged 60+, who had not ventured out since the COVID-19 pandemic, saw an advert for Wellbeing Wednesdays in Shavington-cum-Gresty and decided to give it a try. Experience: Initially seeking an opportunity to break the isolation, she attended the weekly morning cardio session. The supportive environment and engaging activities led her to become a regular attendee. Encouraged by her positive experience, she has since enrolled in an additional fitness class during the week. She reports a significant improvement in her social life and mental well-being, stating, “Without this class, I think I would still be inside my house on my own. Thank you.” This case highlights how Wellbeing Wednesdays effectively support community well-being, foster connections, and enhance a sense of belonging, demonstrating the program's success in addressing social isolation and improving quality of life."
"A female aged 60+, who had not ventured out since the COVID-19 pandemic, saw an advert for Wellbeing Wednesdays in Shavington-cum-Gresty and decided to give it a try.
Experience: Initially seeking an opportunity to break the isolation, she attended the weekly morning cardio session. The supportive environment and engaging activities led her to become a regular attendee. Encouraged by her positive experience, she has since enrolled in an additional fitness class during the week.
She reports a significant improvement in her social life and mental well-being, stating, “Without this class, I think I would still be inside my house on my own. Thank you.”
This case highlights how Wellbeing Wednesdays effectively support community well-being, foster connections, and enhance a sense of belonging, demonstrating the program's success in addressing social isolation and improving quality of life."
Visit our Community Grants webpage to explore live opportunities and access our Grant Finder tool.
For further information or to request a funding search, contact communitygrants2@cheshireeast.gov.uk.
Page last reviewed: 19 January 2026
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