In Manchester, Step Together are supporting disadvantaged young people and ex-offenders to develop the personal and practical skills required to build a more positive future. We provide tailored one-to-one support to help individuals into volunteering placements that match their needs and interests.
Set up as a Community Interest Company in 2012, 4 Steps is supported by Manchester City Council and provides information, advice and guidance to people seeking to improve their employment prospects and to VCSE organisations wanting to grow and become more sustainable.
The work of the Proud Trust is life saving and life enhancing for young LGBT people. Some of whom are out and others who will come out soon as well as those who will never want to come out. They have run a community café for the last 3½ years on Sidney Street in Manchester. It is open to everyone, supports young LGBT people, and is an example of the clear inclusiveness of the organisation and helps to demystify common perceptions. The café serves both vegetarian and vegan food as well as offering outside catering services.
Our State of the Sector Survey in 2013 found that there were 3,093 voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in Manchester, with an estimated income of £477 million. The sector employed the equivalent of 12,400 full time staff and 94,300 volunteers gave 370,000 hours, with an estimated value of £332 million. Decision makers took note of the survey results, we know it increased their understanding of the sector. Some of the key facts (3093 organisations, 94,300 volunteers) are now widely quoted by colleagues in the Council, the NHS and other bodies such as Big Lottery Fund.
Next week, over 35 Manchester voluntary sector organisations will be involved in Spirit Story, a week-long campaign to provide a snapshot of how our work makes a difference to people and communities across the city. 
The activities that will be included vary from a youth group to community gardening and a sporting memories group. Even if your organisation isn’t involved, you can follow the stories next week in a number of ways:
Would you like to raise awareness of your organisation? Celebrate your community and the work you do together? Recruit new supporters, volunteers and funds? If so, then we would love for you to hold an event as part of this year's Spirit of Manchester Festival! 
Spirit Story is a week-long campaign taking place from 19-23 September that will document the extraordinary everyday work of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Manchester. Over 30 organisations are now involved but there is still time for your organisation to sign up.
Greater Manchester’s Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner is calling on local people to give up their free time to support young and vulnerable people.
The region’s Appropriate Adult scheme provides support and guidance to young and vulnerable people who have been arrested and h
ave no parent or guardian to call on.
Last week we launched Sprit Story, a week-long campaign taking place in September that will document the extraordinary everyday stories of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Manchester. We have already had a great response so please contact us to make sure your organisation is involved!
Hello all,
It’s Monday 22nd August 2016, we hope you all had a great weekend.
We are delighted to let you know about a new piece of work we have been working on that will be of great benefit to the local community and the organisations we work with. Over the past few months Macc and Volunteer Centre Manchester have developed a brand new system that will enable company staff to take part in Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) and will be piloting the scheme with Manchester City Council.
What is Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV)?