Charities in Rochdale urged to apply for £5,000 Vernon grants before August deadline

Monday, 4 August 2025 12:54

By David Murphy

Rochdale Connections Trust received a £650 Community Stars grant recently from Vernon Building Society

Two grant programmes are now open to Rochdale charities and social enterprises, with Vernon Building Society encouraging applications for funding of up to £5,000 to support vital community work.

Charities, grassroots organisations and social enterprises across Rochdale are being urged to apply for two grant programmes from Vernon Building Society before mid-August.

The Vernon Charitable Foundation has opened its latest round of applications, offering up to £5,000 to registered charities focused on tackling poverty and improving local communities. The application deadline is 29 August 2025.

Since its launch in January 2024, the foundation has distributed £73,500 to 24 charities across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, with past grants funding youth theatre equipment and Scout tents. The scheme forms part of the building society’s centenary legacy.

Chief executive Darren Ditchburn said: “We’re eager to hear from Rochdale charities that are struggling to make ends meet right now. Our application process is simple, and a £5,000 grant could make a real difference.”

Alongside the foundation’s main grant scheme, Vernon is also promoting its Community Stars programme, which provides smaller awards of up to £2,000 to groups that may not be formally registered charities. Applications for Community Stars close at 5pm on 11 August 2025.

Over the past 13 years, the Community Stars programme has distributed more than £140,000 to grassroots projects, supporting initiatives from transport provision and food packs to equipment purchases and venue hire.

Earlier this year, Rochdale Connections Trust received a £650 grant to supply care packs with essentials such as milk, bread and washing up liquid to struggling families over the school holidays.

In Bolton, the Transforming Lives Group used its funding to maintain free sporting activities that support people facing mental health challenges, homelessness or substance addiction.

Ditchburn added: “Whether it's helping families stay warm, supporting people off the streets or simply giving children a safe place to thrive, our funding is about empowering local people to support each other. As a mutual, we invest profits back into our members and our communities.”

In 2025 alone, Vernon staff have already volunteered more than 35 days to local causes, including community garden creation, museum support, and initiatives at charities such as WellSpring and Together Trust.

The building society has also supported financial education for more than 1,400 students this academic year, delivering workshops on tax, pensions, credit scores and student loans at schools including Laurus Ryecroft and Stockport Academy.