Supporting our communities…from the Foundation upwards

Each year, the Equilibrium Foundation sets out to recognise the brilliant work of organisations  in our community who are also working to makes peoples’ lives better.

In celebration of Equilibrium’s 30 year anniversary this summer, four incredibly deserving Northwest charities were awarded a share of the £30,000 community grant to help them do just that.

• Unlocking potential and changing perceptions.

Downs Syndrome Cheshire holds the vision that people with Down Syndrome can live the life they choose. Down Syndrome Cheshire empowers people to unlock their potential, lead happy and fulfilling lives and they do this by changing perceptions, creating opportunities and educating the wider community.

It all began when parents were looking for support with their children. Currently, the organisation works directly with 3,000 individuals in Cheshire and indirectly with parents, carers, and professionals in health and education throughout the region.

We asked Vicky Irwin, from Down Syndrome Cheshire, about their work and how this funding will help:

“For many of our members, mainstream pathways just aren’t accessible, so this investment means we can continue offering tailored, person-centred support that makes a real difference. We’re thrilled to receive support from the Equilibrium Foundation for our Employability and Life Skills Project.

This funding will directly benefit young people and adults with Down Syndrome across Cheshire, helping them to build confidence, gain independence and move closer to the world of work. Thank you to Equilibrium Foundation for helping us to create a more inclusive future.”

• Nurturing foundations. Supporting aspirations.

Harpurhey, North Manchester, is the second worst ward in England for the effect of long-term deprivation on children and families, including significant health and life chances. It is also the home to the charity Nurturing Foundations, a 100% minority founded and led organisation supporting children, young people and their families to have the aspirations, resilience and skills to flourish and play an active part in civic life.

We asked Robert Sangwa, Head of Programmes at Nurturing Foundations about how this grant will make peoples’ lives better:

“This funding will play a vital role in expanding our initiatives that equip young people with the pathways, skills, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive through education and employment.

“Young people like Charlie, who is one of the 80 people to go through the nurturing foundations pathway.”

These are Charlie’s words:

“I was supported on the Nurturing Foundations Summer Jobs Programme, gaining valuable skills in planning and delivering youth sessions. Along the way, I overcame personal challenges, growing in confidence and resilience with the feedback that my dedication to supporting young people was evident throughout. My highlight was my second-place finish in the Dragons Den style challenge amongst us where I pitched an innovative idea to improve mental health support for young people and the community. I have been empowered to achieve my goals that may have otherwise been out of reach for me”

Robert continues:

“From the 80 people who went through the programme, 65 have gone on to complete job placements. So, you can see how, this award not only strengthens our capacity to serve more people like Charlie but also affirms the value and impact of our mission.”

• RISE UP. To the challenges facing youth employment.

Every young person deserves a pathway to independence and success. This is the deep-rooted belief of the youth employment charity RISE UP. Nationally, almost one million young people are not in education employment or training. RISE UP challenges the system that creates barriers to employment by working with 16–30-year-olds furthest from the labour market. They hear the ambition of the young people who want to work but are too often written off, not shown the road map or are labelled before they are listened to.

This is a charity built on lived experience and bold leadership offering programmes that are co-designed, trauma-informed and rooted in real-world outcomes, not tick-boxes.

Roman Dibden, CEO of RISE UP, says:

“It’s not just the money – it’s knowing that someone believes in what we’re doing and wants to back us. With this support from Equilibrium, we’ll be able to reach more young people and give them a proper shot at building something better for themselves. We’re buzzing to get started.”

• Smart Works for young women. Not a handout, a hand held.

Smart Works Greater Manchester (SWGM) supports unemployed women aged 16-67 to create a route out of poverty. It supports socially disadvantaged women including school leavers, HMP Styal ex-offenders and women on zero hours employment contracts.

Since opening in 2015, from its base in Stockport and Manchester City, Smarts Works has supported 5,500+ women into work and has an impressive job success rate of 63%. In March alone this year, the charity delivered 143 appointments – its busiest month on record.

Louisa Hussey, Fundraising and partnerships manager, explains how the grant will support their work:

“Your support will make a huge difference to the women who walk through our doors; the average client is 37 years old and has applied for over 30 jobs. With your help, we can provide high-quality clothing, one-to-one interview coaching, and the encouragement that restores confidence. These are not small things; they are life changing.

 “Every pound of this life changing gift will ripple outward: into new opportunities, new jobs, and renewed self-belief for the women we serve.

 “Already, we are seeing more women than ever needing our support, and your generosity allows us to book more appointments, provide better clothing options and deliver confidence boosting coaching to them.

 “Thank you for standing alongside us in our mission to empower women into work and transform lives. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and belief in what we do.”