AdsBridge Youth Connection (formally the Stockport Community Alliance) is proud to mark its first year delivering community-led youth support in Adswood and Bridgehall.
The programme facilitator has had an impactful first year as a community-led youth provider. Success this past year has looked like 169 sessions delivered, 313 individuals reached and supported, strengthened relationships with schools, police and stakeholders, the creation of trauma-sensitive safe spaces for vulnerable youth, and increased community cohesion. This positive impact has been felt across the districts due to the multi-agency approach that has led to strong referral pathways and a utilisation of community spaces that has expanded the provision and accessibility of the programme.
SGT Gareth Davies, Stockport Police said:
“The partnership work in Adswood and Bridgehall has been significantly strengthened through events like the Stockport County Community Trust Family Funday. Being invited to take part offered a fantastic opportunity to engage positively with young people and their families. These moments of connection are vital—they help shift public perception, allowing people to see us not just as officers, but as active members of the community.
“Such events promote trust and lay the foundation for long-term relationships. They also highlight the importance of collaborative efforts and community-led initiatives. Funding from the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) Community Led Alliance has played a key role in supporting this work, helping build safer, more connected neighbourhoods.”
Sally McFerran-Davenport, Stockport’s VRU Alliance Facilitator said:
“We know that community‑led activity works because the people who live in a place know what it needs. When ideas come from the community, action is more relevant, more trusted and more likely to last. We’re looking forward to seeing what the Alliance can achieve together in year two, as well as the new projects that will grow from the VRU Mini Grants.”
Looking ahead
As the alliance reflects on the delivery of the previous year and looks to the years ahead, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “The Alliance will continue to build on their delivery, learning from their first year of activity and adapting programmes based on participant feedback. Year 2 will see the introduction of a discreet bursary to remove financial barriers, expand school engagement, and deepen collaboration through shared calendars and joint funding bids. With a dedicated facilitator now in place, the Alliance is able to scale its impact and continue empowering Stockport’s youth.
“The newly launched Stockport VRU Mini Grants paves the way for other local organisations with the insight, relationships and experience of working in Adswood and Bridgehall to supplement the work of the Alliance with further activity.”
Delivery Programmes
Stockport County Community Trust
Stockport County Community Trust delivered 88 sessions across the year, focused on universal youth work that encompassed football engagement sessions, social action workshops where young people designed community improvement projects and family fun days. This type of engagement works to promote community cohesion across estate boundaries and strengthens pathways into diversionary activities that keep young people out of danger.
One parent testified: “Bertie has additional needs and struggles with confidence. The coaches made him feel safe and valued—he even invited them to watch his match, and they came. He was thrilled.”
Pursuing Individual Excellence (PEI) led three major programmes around education and skills development:
Step Up is a transition programme supporting 17 young people moving from primary to secondary school. Some organised activities included bowling, a trip to Blackpool, rock climbing, and crafting. Across the span of the programme there was brilliant engagement with 146 recorded attendances, highlighting the value of this programme in helping young people through the disruption and anxiety of school transitions.
Peer Mentors is a follow-on leadership training for Step Up graduates. In the latest programme, 11 young people planned and hosted a family event for the next cohort of students transitioning from primary to secondary school. This challenged participants with budgeting, planning, and facilitation skill development.
Moving On is a 10-day programme for Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) registered young people. Young people had the opportunity to engage with animal therapy, business workshops, and creative sessions. Several participants re-engaged with education or secured places on vocational courses after this course, which is a fantastic outcome for the programme.
One parent shared: “Two months ago I didn’t know what Chloe was going to do after the summer. Now she has direction and something to feel excited about.”
A peer mentor told us: “I loved planning the event! We got to order the food and spend the money—it felt special when the kids loved the activities we planned.”
Talk Listen Change (TLC)
TLC delivered a 15-week trauma-informed intervention to support young people and carers through periods of disruption due to domestic abuse. This considered support was delivered through on-to-one emotional regulation sessions, parent support groups and personalised strategies for rebuilding trust and communication within family units. This was an immensely effective programme with 88.6% engagement across a total of 44 sessions, with one family reporting a complete end to daily violence at home.
One parent said: “I’m proud of my daughter and myself for being able to recognise our emotions. I really liked how you guided me without feeling judged.”
A young person informed TLC: “We now have film nights and game nights together. It feels like we’re a family again.”
To read more on the fantastic work of Adsbridge Youth Connection, check out Adsbridge Youth Connection — Sector 3 Stockport
Article posted on: 27/02/2026 04:02pm