Are you:
-An active part of your community in Stockport
– Wanting to get involved in the key decisions that affect Stockport residents
-Available to commit 1/2 day a week learning time over the course of 12 months
This fully-funded 12 month programme will provide you with the practical experience, skills and confidence to represent and advocate for real change for your community.
Stockport Volunteer Hub and Sector 3 are proud to launch the Unheard Voices Civic Leadership Programme, a new investment in community leadership across Stockport, funded by Stockport Council.
We know that some of the most valuable insight, experience and ideas already exist within our communities. They are held by volunteers, community leaders, grassroots organisations, people with lived experience and those working every day to support residents across Stockport.
Too often, however, these voices are not represented where decisions are made.
The Unheard Voices Civic Leadership Programme has been designed to change that.
This is not a leadership programme where participants complete a course and receive a certificate. This is a practical programme to create genuine pathways into influence, representation and decision making.
At the end of the programme, participants will have a seat at the table.
If so, then we’d love to have you on the programme.
Participants will take part in a structured leadership development journey over a period of 12 months. (Sept 26 – Aug 27)
The programme will combine practical learning, mentoring, peer support and direct exposure to decision making environments.
Areas of development are expected to include:
Understanding how decisions are made within local government and public services
Understanding strategic partnerships, governance and accountability
The role of the voluntary & community sector in shaping local priorities
Public speaking and presentation skills
Confidence building and personal leadership development
Influencing and negotiation skills
Networking and relationship building
Pitching ideas to senior decision makers
Working with data, insight and evidence to influence change
Community engagement and co production
Media and communications skills
Chairing meetings and facilitating discussions
Systems leadership and working across organisational boundaries
Understanding power, representation and civic leadership
Developing a personal leadership vision and action plan
Each participant will also be matched with a senior mentor from Sector 3, Stockport Council or another strategic partner who will provide one to one support throughout the programme.
The programme is designed to create real opportunities for influence.
Participants who successfully complete the programme will be offered opportunities to:
Represent the VCFSE sector on strategic boards and partnerships across Stockport
Join the VCFSE Alliance and contribute to borough wide discussions
Attend regional Greater Manchester leadership and engagement opportunities
Contribute to consultations, system change programmes and strategic developments
Build relationships with senior leaders across the public, voluntary and community sectors
Become advocates for their communities and the wider VCFSE sector
We want participants to leave the programme with the confidence, skills, networks and opportunities needed to influence decisions that affect local people.
We recognise that many people balance work, volunteering, family and community commitments.
We will endeavour to deliver the programme in a flexible and accessible way. However, participants must be willing to commit fully to the programme.
This will include:
Attendance at all core training sessions
Participation in mentoring sessions
Attendance at networking and leadership events
Active engagement in learning and development opportunities
Participation in placements, observations or strategic meetings where appropriate
The anticipated commitment is approximately 1 to 2 days per month, equivalent to around half a day per week, although participants will be encouraged to continue developing their leadership practice outside of the structured programme.
Applications open on Monday 27 July 2026 and close on Sunday 23 August 2026.
The programme will begin in September 2026.
The application process is simple. All you need to do is answers the question:
Tell us what you would do with your voice if you had the chance to be heard by local decision makers in Stockport.
There are two ways to apply for the Unheard Voices Leadership Programme.
1.Through the Online Application Form below
2.OR you can send us a short video (maximum 2 minutes long).
In the video, we would need you to include the following:
– Your full name
– Date of birth
– Confirmation that you are a Stockport resident
– Answer to the following question:
Tell us what you would do with your voice if you had the chance to be heard by local decision makers in Stockport.
Please send your video to info@sector3sk.org
In your email, please include the contact details of a referee.
Want to find out more before you send in your application?
Or have any questions you’d like answered first?
Pop along to the information session to get all the information you need to
make a decision before applying.
Wednesday 5th August,
10am – 11am
Sector 3 Offices
Everday support, in every neighbourhood.
Apply for funding, volunteer roles and more.
We are temporarily without a home as we wait to move into our new office in the new year.
This means that our old phone number is no longer in use. Please look out for our new number, which we’ll have in the new year.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
We are still contactable via email on support@stockportvolunteerhub.org.uk
