29 October 25
Community and volunteering

Council awards grant to voice of VCFSE sector in Trafford

Trafford Council has awarded a special Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise organisation (VCFSE) grant to the Trafford Community Collective.

The three-and-a-half year VCFSE Support Grant, totalling £340,000, marks the launch of the Trafford Collective Support Programme and the Trafford Collective as Trafford's Lead Infrastructure Organisation (LIO). It is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the VCFSE sector in Trafford.

The Community Collective is the voice of the VCFSE sector in Trafford and promotes, connects and supports all organisations within that sector. The partnership is built on partnership, trust, shared purpose, and a collective vision for a thriving, inclusive, and connected Trafford.

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: 

“Trafford Council would like to thank Thrive Trafford for their work in borough over the past 14 years. We are excited to be supporting the Trafford Community Collective for the next three and half years to help build on our foundations to grow an ever further thriving and sustainable VCFSE sector.

“With great opportunities such as Live Well and a greater focus on prevention, the VCFSE sector is vital to our ambitions for a Trafford where all our residents, businesses and communities thrive."

As the new lead infrastructure organisation, Trafford Community Collective will lead The Trafford Collective Support Programme — a borough-wide initiative to strengthen, connect, and empower Trafford’s VCFSE sector. It will:  

  • Build capacity and confidence across local organisations through training, leadership development, and peer support.
  • Encourage collaboration on funding, projects, and strategy to unlock new opportunities for our communities.
  • Support grassroots resilience, helping smaller and emerging organisations grow and sustain their impact.
  • Champion equity, inclusion, and representation, ensuring every voice — especially those with lived experience — is heard and valued.
  • Strengthen Trafford’s voice regionally, working in partnership across Greater Manchester to influence policy, share learning, and amplify impact. 

Having this support and infrastructure for the VCFSE Sector will be vital for achieving the Council’s vision for all of our residents to Live Well through great everyday support in every neighbourhood. Critical to Live Well is ensuring a thriving and sustainable VCFSE sector, working in partnership with the Trafford Community Collective. This new era in Trafford will embed a true collaboration to support the sector in Trafford.  

Bernadette Ashcroft, CEO, Trafford Community Collective, said: 

“This achievement is a reflection of the power of people and organisations across Trafford coming together — bravely, creatively, and with shared purpose. Trafford Council’s recognition of the VCFSE sector as a vital strategic partner gives us a unique opportunity to ensure that the voices of our communities are heard and can truly shape positive change across Trafford.”  

To mark this new beginning, Trafford Community Collective invites all Trafford based VCFSE leaders and partners to join them at a celebratory workshop on Wednesday 19 November 2025 from 9am to 2pm at Stretford Public Hall.