We Love MCR Charity is excited to announce the launch of their ‘Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund’ – a £200,000 fund offering hope and opportunity to determined young Mancunians who need a helping hand to take their next step in education, entrepreneurship, employment, or training.
We Love MCR Charity knows that young Mancunian’s opportunities for study, business and employment have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. But something that hasn’t changed is their ambition and drive. The Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund supports talented young people to overcome the barriers they face, to become the potential rising stars who will help to shape Manchester and become the next generation of achievers. The Fund is unique – it asks young Mancunians what they believe they need to progress on their path to success, and then provides funding to enable them to achieve their ambitions.
The charity encourages young people living or studying in Manchester aged 16-24* to apply for an award up to the value of £2,000. (*up to 30 if the individual has lived experience of homelessness). They believe that the right support, at the right time, can be life changing for young people. The Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund has already supported over 40 young people to take positive steps towards their goals by funding vital equipment, courses and accreditations in a successful pilot scheme.
The Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund was created with the generous support of the Sir Howard Bernstein Endowment Fund.
Marie O’Neill-Steinegger, Grants Manager for We Love MCR Charity says:
“We’ve seen that a grant from the Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund can be life changing for some young people. The commitment today demonstrates our belief in the young people of Manchester, in their ambition and their drive to succeed, whatever the barriers are. The Fund is here to support those young people who might need some financial help to overcome these barriers, to help them become Manchester’s Rising Stars!”
Wythenshawe local Lauren, one of the first beneficiaries of the Fund’s pilot who we funded to support her stay in London during her scholarship to the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, said:
“I cannot begin to explain how much the award from We Love MCR Charity helped me through my time in London. Without the help and support from the Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund I may have been in a position where I couldn’t finish my course.
I will be forever thankful for how We Love MCR backed me. I urge anyone to help such an amazing charity if they are lucky enough to be able to do so – I know I will when I’m able, to return the favour to someone in Manchester who is starting off, just like me.”
A defining feature of this launch is the extensive network of over 20 of Manchester’s dedicated youth organisations that have signed up to the programme as Referral Partners. These partners, including the Manchester College, MCFC’s City In The Community, and the East Manchester Youth and Play Partnership, are helping to identify young people who are in need of support, and encourage them to apply for a grant.
Daniel Cairns from Manchester City Council’s Leaving Care Service, a key partner of the Fund, said:
“I think the Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund is incredible and really does give our young people an opportunity to achieve their goals no matter what that field they may be in. Many of our young people simply don’t have the funds or start-up costs for a business or essential items for other endeavors, and to be supported by We Love MCR Charity gives them a real springboard to success. It means their goals can become realities.”
The Manchester College, the largest further education college in the United Kingdom, told us:
“Becoming a Manchester’s Rising Stars Referral Partner will enhance our offer to our young people who have experienced some form of disadvantage and need tangible support in moving onto their next step in education, employment or training”
For more information about the fund, the full guidance and how to apply please visit their website – https://www.welovemcrcharity.org/ or get in touch with Marie on 07929 823375.
