Oldham

Oldham

Music for All - Community Project Funding

Aims/priorities: The grants programme aims to give a helping hand to projects and initiatives across the UK that are seeking to bring music to their communities. The funding is for groups that need assistance to fulfil their potential in developing truly sustainable music programmes.

Who can apply? Groups, schools and organisations that are bringing music to their communities in the UK can apply.

Priority will be given to applicants who are most in need of help.

A B Charitable Trust

Aims/priorities: The Trust aims to support charities that promote human dignity and defend the human rights of marginalised and excluded people in the UK.

Who can apply? Charities registered and working in the UK can apply.

To be eligible, organisations must:

Theatres Trust

Aims/priorities:  Grants are available for not-for-profit theatres in the UK for capital improvement projects that will improve environmental sustainability. Because the theme for applications is 'Improving Environmental Sustainability' the funding will be given to projects that demonstrate how a small intervention can have a big impact on reducing the theatre's environmental impact, such as:

Elephant Trust

Aims/priorities: The Trust aims to make it possible for artists and those presenting their work to undertake and complete projects when frustrated by lack of funds. It is committed to helping artists and art institutions and galleries that depart from the routine and signal new, distinct and imaginative sets of possibilities.

Who can apply? Funding priority is given to artists in the fine arts and small organisations and galleries within the UK.

RSMP Resettlement Grant Funding

Aims/priorities: The North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership (RSMP) is seeking expressions of interest to deliver two newly funded projects; one to provide qualified immigration advice, and one to provide mental health and wellbeing support for Ukrainians, Hong Kongers and Afghans (CFA) in the North West of England.

The RSMP will be contracting for services to deliver support and will use Expressions of Interest (EOI) to understand what is possible to achieve with the project budget and stated timeframes.

Proper Good investment fund open for business in Greater Manchester

Aims/priorities: We’re delighted to share that the Proper Good investment fund is open for business, supporting charities and social enterprises across Greater Manchester.

Now managed by Key Fund, the Proper Good programme continues to offer social investment and free, tailored business support to develop their ideas and then social investment to help social entrepreneurs start, grow and scale enterprises that make a real difference in their communities.

VCSE Gambling Harms Prevention & Resilience Fund

Aims/Priorities: The Gambling harms prevention grant will be available to all voluntary community and social enterprise organisations working to help prevent gambling related harms. Organisations, funded by OHID, will be fundamental to the delivery of an independent and public health led approach to preventing gambling related harms for the first time. This is part of a wider prevention, treatment and research programme attached to the new levy on gambling operators and focuses on prevention work only (a separate grant is available for treatment or recovery).

Macmillan Care Grants Programme

Aims/priorities: The funding is for community-led projects that challenge the current system and create lasting change for people facing the greatest barriers to care. 

Projects should offer new insights and impact and focus on one of the following three themes:

Barclays Community Sport Fund 2025 to 2027

Aims/priorities: The funding supports community groups and grassroots sports organisations who are working within the most deprived areas of the UK and are making sport more accessible to women and girls, as well as engaging people from other under-represented groups, including people with disabilities, from racially diverse communities and from the LGBTQ+ community. 

Currently, only the Female Coaches for Girls Fund is open for applications, with a deadline of 31 December 2025.

Powering Oldham’s Social Economy

Action Together's support for Social Economy Organisations in Oldham comprises a wide offer of one-to-one coaching and training, along with multiple opportunities for networking in collaborative spaces

Earlier this year we hosted an 8-week 'Social Accelerator Programme' social entrepreneurs, delivered by Mantle. The programme aimed to support the participants to enhance sustainability, diversify income streams, and develop robust business models.
 
Below we share some case studies from participants of the programme, demonstrating it's impact and outcomes.

Case Study | SEE Oldham

SEE Oldham CIC is a small, purposefully designed small independent special school for secondary aged pupils with SEMH needs. The organisation’s mission is to provide a broad and relevant curriculum that equips learners with the resilience, life skills, and knowledge needed to make informed choices about their post-16 education and future employment.

See Oldham approached Action Together for support through the E26 programme, with the ambition to further its community impact by strengthening its business model, improving financial sustainability, and accessing social investment.

SEE Oldham ’s Development Manager, Michelle, participated in the Social Accelerator Programme with Mantle, and following completion of the programme the E26 budget funded further 1:1 consultancy support with Mantle around strengthening the organisation's business model. Key challenges included reviewing the organisation’s legal structure, improving financial planning, and identifying suitable funding and investment opportunities.

Impact
The support enabled the team at SEE Oldham clarify their strategic direction, and improve its financial resilience. The business plan and cashflow forecast work, developed with Mantle’s support, were instrumental in applying for a refinancing loan from Big Issue Invest and a Reach Fund application (outcome pending).

The conversations around legal structure and trading has improved the group’s confidence in making informed decisions around future planning and streamlining. The online finance training complemented this work and enhanced understanding of essential financial management practices, supporting long-term sustainability. 

The support has also led the SEE Oldham team to develop their networks with other local founders, and these relationships have sustained following the completion of the programmes and training, giving them the opportunity to collaborate and draw upon expertise i.e. SEE Oldham plan to work with Inclusive Bytes (another Oldham-based social enterprise) to develop their website and digital platform.

Feedback
"I just wanted to say thank you so much. There was very little editing I had to do to the business plan (it was brilliant), and the cashflow has also helped our application for a refinancing loan from Big Issue Invest – so your input was doubly beneficial to us.

Myself and Leo feel this worked really well as a partnership. To date this experience has been a lot smoother than what we previously experienced when applying for investment – so a massive thank you!"

SEE Oldham logo

Case Study | Shaw & Crompton Meals on Wheels

Shaw & Crompton Meals on Wheels (SCMoW), a newly formed Community Interest Company (CIC), received tailored non-financial support through the E26 Supporting the Social Economy programme. 

SCMoW worked with Action Together’s Capacity Building team to complete the Social Enterprise Diagnostic Tool, a resource which helps to identify key development and priority areas. The need for improved communications and marketing, including website development, was identified as a key priority.

Action Together then connected SCMoW to consultancy support from Inclusive Bytes (an Oldham-based social enterprise), and funded a package of support through the E26 budget.

In April 2025, Inclusive Bytes worked with SMoW to design and develop a new website, secure domain registration, and provide training on website management. The support also included a 12-month consultancy period to ensure sustainability and growth.

Impact
The development of a dedicated website was a transformative step for SCMoW. As a newly established social enterprise, having a professional online platform has significantly enhanced their visibility and credibility within the community.

The support from Inclusive Bytes enabled the creation of a user-friendly, accessible website that not only showcases their services but also communicates their mission and social impact. The 12-month consultancy support ensures that SCMoW can continue to refine and expand their digital capabilities as they grow.

Feedback
“Thanks so much for the policy information and templates, and for funding the consultancy support for our website development. We are off to a really good start with the CIC, and the future is positive. We really appreciate your support, and wanted to show you our new website, it is amazing. More contacts are now coming directly to us, and it is a great to have an online platform to showcase our offer.”

Room full of elderly people seated at tables enjoying cooked meals

Want to know we could help your organisation in Oldham?

You can discover more about the support offer for social enterprises and entrepreneurs in Oldham on our dedicated page: Support for Social Economy Organisations in Oldham | Action Together

Alternatively, if you would like to know how Action Together can support you directly with your enterprising idea, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us: development@actiontogther.org.uk

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