SKylight Annual Report 2025-26

SKylight Annual Report Summary 2025-26

Foreword from Marie Gilluley

Chair of SKylight Board

Welcome to SKylight’s seventh annual report. I hope you find it both engaging and informative.

SKylight continues to support some of the most vulnerable households in our local communities through the delivery of a wide range of initiatives. These include services to prevent and address homelessness and rough sleeping, to alleviate food and furniture poverty, and to support people from all backgrounds to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes.

Against a challenging economic backdrop, many residents and communities across Stockport continue to face significant pressures. Ongoing cost‑of‑living challenges and the housing crisis mean that SKylight remains crucial in providing timely help and support to reduce disadvantage, enabling customers to move forward and achieve positive outcomes in their lives.

I hope this report clearly demonstrates the difference that SKylight continues to make. The powerful and personal case studies included illustrate, in a compelling way, the

real impact of SKylight’s work.

SKylight works in close partnership with colleagues at Stockport Council, other housing providers, and a wide range of local and regional partners to identify opportunities to do even more for Stockport residents and to attract additional resources into the borough. I am pleased that this collaborative approach has recently resulted in further funding being secured from the GMCA to continue the Ageing in Place work and from the National Lottery to deliver the Manbassadors programme.

SKylight has just developed its second Business Plan, setting out an ambitious framework for future growth and development, while supporting the delivery of both the Stockport Homes Delivery Plan and Corporate Plan. We are extremely

grateful to all those who help fund our work, including Stockport Council, partner charities, and in particular members of the Stockport Homes Group.

Finally, I would like to pay tribute to Kath Hanna, SKylight Board Member, who sadly passed away in December 2025. Kath was a highly valued member of the Board, bringing over 30 years of experience across the health, care, and support sectors. Her kindness, knowledge, and commitment will be fondly remembered, and her contributions have left a lasting legacy in improving the lives of people in need across Stockport.

Our Board

Welcome to

We are a Charitable Community Benefit Society established in 2018. SKylight has four broad key aims stated in its governing document and activity is structured and prioritised to deliver against these aims.

Our Aims

• Supporting people into employment, relieving poverty, relieving food poverty and developing digital skills.

• Supporting customers in local communities and delivering support services to help people live independently.

• Empowering communities to develop networks of support, including targeted work with people who may experience disadvantage such as people with disabilities, from BAME communities and those with complex needs.

• Working in partnership to reduce demand on statutory services; and supporting the development of the third sector, ensuring additional resources and service are secured.

Economic Inactivity Trailblazer

The Economic Inactivity Trailblazer Paid Placement Programme, launched in September 2025 with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) commissioning Stockport Homes to facilitate 30 six month paid placements at Real Living Wage for Stockport residents aged 18–64 by March 2026. The contract had a focus on priority groups including care-experienced young people, residents with SEND, Armed Forces veterans, and long‑term unemployed individuals with health conditions.

From the programme launch in September 2025 through to March 2026:

37 Stockport residents have been supported into paid placements within a wide range of organisations across the Borough.

The programme has received a total of 130 participant referrals to date. Participants involved in the programme have recorded a total of 162 outcomes across the 37 individuals. These have included, CV creation, interview preparations and completing job applications who have either secured or were referred for a Trailblazer placement.

Stockport Social Supermarket

The SKylight Social Supermarket Programme funded by the National Lottery supports men in Stockport aged 18–65 who are either out of work or engaged in insecure employment, many of whom experience overlapping barriers relating to health, finances, confidence, and access to progression opportunities including training and education. The programme is delivered in partnership with Groundworks Working Wardrobe who deliver the personal styling and interview coaching aspect of the service, creating a unique service delivery model for Stockport.

The Social Supermarket has delivered the following outcomes:

133 men have been referred into the Social Supermarket Programme.

33 participants supported into employment since the start of the programme

3 participants have achieved multiple employment outcomes

27 education and training opportunities accessed

213 referrals made to external services, including: Mental and physical health support

Financial advice and cost‑of‑living support

Your Local Pantry

Housing‑related support

Case Study

Andrew was referred to the Social Supermarket after experiencing over two years of unemployment and homelessness, initially seeking volunteering opportunities and housing support. Low confidence and limited IT skills led to a referral to Starting Point, where he received a mobile phone and data package, improving his ability to communicate and apply for jobs. With tailored support, including interview preparation through the Working Wardrobe and help updating his CV and cover letters, Andrew began pursuing paid roles in cleaning and outdoor work.

Although early trial shifts were unsuccessful, they helped Andrew identify his long‑term goal of becoming a self‑ employed dog walker. He received guidance on self‑ employment while continuing to seek interim work, attended job fairs, and completed a referral to Catch 22’s SIA course. In late 2025, he secured a temporary window cleaning role and continues to work with the Social Supermarket, currently preparing for three upcoming interviews as he moves closer to sustainable employment.

The Motiv8 service funded by the Department of Work & Pensions works with those most removed from the labour market supporting them to make progress in their lives and move towards education, training and employment.

Motiv8 delivery partners work together to provide wrap around support for six months to remove barriers to employment by developing a personal action plan which is unique to a person’s needs. A Motiv8 Keyworker works alongside the participant to overcome their barriers and improve their prospects of accessing training or finding a job.

In Stockport Motiv8 delivered the following outcomes:

Intensive wrap around support for

20 customers

Complex needs role supported

113 customers

7 people started job searching

37 outcomes for money management, health, & employment

9 people completed training or moved into education

Apprenticeships

SKylight continues to undertake significant work to identify roles within Stockport Homes to be transferred to SKylight and form part of a comprehensive apprenticeships programme. This was previously limited to entry-level roles but has since expanded to higher level positions due to the continued growth of apprenticeship qualifications. Levels have ranged from 2 (GCSE) all the way up to 7 (Master’s Degree).

During the last 12 months, 41 colleagues have undertaken an apprenticeship programme covering a wide range of service delivery areas which include:

Furniture Recycling Project

The project collects good quality donated furniture and recycles it to help households experiencing furniture poverty. The project helps alleviate financial hardship through the provision of low or no cost furniture including fridges, washing machines, cookers, beds, and wardrobes. Customers are invited to attend our premises at Hazel Grove and select their own items which are either gifted or offered at low cost.

Furniture was donated by 578 households and 192 void properties

“Helped me get back on my feet after starting with nothing, very helpful.”

Customer of the Furniture Recycling Project

“I would have been without furniture, if not for the help of your service.”

Customer of the Furniture Recycling Project

“They were to kind and helpful with bringing it in and helping set it up and explained everything for me.”

Customer of the Furniture Recycling Project

Furniture was delivered to 578 households in need 74.44 tonnes was diverted from landfill

298 total members across five Your Local Pantry shops

Your Local Pantry (YLP) is a network of community food stores set up to help reduce grocery costs for Stockport residents who are struggling financially. Pantry members pay a weekly membership fee of £5.50, which entitles them to a weekly shop of up to ten items, with a saving of over £780 on their food bill each year. Community volunteers work alongside the staff team to manage the day-to-day running of each Pantry. This includes taking deliveries and storing and rotating stock, completing opening and closing checks and supporting members to conduct their weekly shop.

7,558 pantry visits were made by members during the year

£45,174 of social value generated through 3,197 volunteering hours

£30,978 secured in grants and financial donations

This year marked significant milestonesincluding celebrations for the One Millionth Pantry Member shop, in addition to the network expanding to over 120 pantries, engaging more than 90,000 people as members and providing volunteering opportunities for more than 2,000 people.

Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme (RSAP)

Established in April 2022, The Rough Sleeper Accommodation Project (RSAP) provides capital funds to purchase and renovate one-bedroom, self-contained properties.

This year the service has:

• 6 sustained tenancies through a range of structured intensive support from the project officer.

• 10 customers consistently engaging with intensive support.

• 3 customers made the positive transition from RSAP accommodation into a Stockport Homes tenancy.

GM Housing

First (GMHF)

GMFH supports individuals with the most complex needs and behaviours to access and sustain permanent accommodation. SKylight is currently supporting 15 customers, with often daily levels of intensive support to ensure a smooth transition into accommodation and provide ongoing support for additional needs.

Rough

Sleeper Initiative

The Rough Sleeper Initiative Team responds to reports of rough sleeping, engaging with individuals on the streets and supporting them to access services and move into accommodation.

• The team received 797 reports of rough sleeping, an increase from 690 reports in 2024/25.

• The number of people sleeping rough on a single night in Stockport, was an average of 31 people compared to 21 in 2024/25.

The Rough Sleeper Outreach Worker leads on responding to reports and engaging directly with people sleeping rough. This work is complemented by the Rough Sleeping Navigator, who works in partnership with local organisations, including The Wellspring, to help individuals access support services and progress into appropriate accommodation.

Customers are supported through the A Bed Every Night scheme, alongside additional flats identified through the RSAP, with access to specialist support where needed.

Case Study

In 2023, Grenville secured accommodation through the Rough Sleeper Accommodation Programme (RSAP) after a prolonged period of rough sleeping and repeated stays in temporary housing. Due to complex needs, including neurodiversity, mental ill health, substance misuse, limited literacy, past trauma, and involvement with both mental health services and probation, it was clear that sustaining an independent tenancy would require consistent, tailored support from a Project Officer.

The Project Officer coordinated a multi agency approach, working closely with mental health, health, and substance misuse services to address key barriers to tenancy sustainment, particularly substance use. With structured and trusted support,Grenville completed a motivation programme followed by a detox and rehabilitation course and continues to engage with services. He has also developed positive social connections that support wellbeing. Despite ongoing challenges, Grenville has maintained his tenancy, increased independence, and remains motivated to stay substance free, rebuild family relationships, and contribute through peer support work demonstrating the impact of sustained, person centred support.

Specialist Support Roles

Mental Health & Housing

Support Worker (MHHSW)

Supported 88 people in 2025/26 experiencing a range of issues from low mood through to serious mental illness.

Domestic Abuse Case Officer

Provided direct support to 90 households experiencing domestic abuse and assisted with a wholescale review of policies and procedures across SHG.

Offender Engagement Officer

Supported 18 people through the Accommodation for Ex-Offenders Scheme. Through the Community Accommodation Scheme, 17 people were successfully rehoused into their own private tenancies and six were supported into employment and training.

Migrant Communities Work

10 new households arrived under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and were resettled within the borough, and 17 households were supported to move to private sector accommodation.

Manbassadors

During 2025–26, Skylight successfully launched the Manbassadors Project in Stockport following the award of £60,000 funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. This investment enabled the delivery of a two year Greater Manchester pilot in partnership with Bolton at Home, Salix Homes and Wigan Council, with Stockport identified as a key area for initial development.

The Manbassadors Project aims to engage men of all ages, with a particular focus on those experiencing or at risk of poor mental wellbeing. The approach is rooted in peer to peer support, community presence and informal engagement, recognising that many men are less likely to access traditional services or discuss mental health concerns through formal routes.

23 men accessed direct support

4 events were delivered

5 structured Manbassador activities took place

Over 100 men engaged through activities, events or regular sessions

Working in partnership to support and grow our local Third Sector

SKylight continues to work closely with Sector 3 and Stockport Council to develop a more consistent joined up voice of the Third Sector.

SKylight delivered a range of events which brought together civil society groups and funders. The annual ‘Funding the Future’ conference brought together 75 community groups with local and national funders to access support and bid for grant funding. 21 community group attendees also benefited from smaller ‘Meet the Funder’ coffee table events, ensuring each group had the chance to ask specific questions of the funder.

Highlights include:

• Working directly with local third sector groups, SKylight has contributed to securing £1,146.450 of grant income into the borough in 2025/26.

• SKylight secured £4,452 from Manchester Airport, EEM Frameworks, Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund and Forever Manchester to purchase white goods for the Your Local Pantry network.

SKylight Community Fund

SKylight’s Community Fund provides awards of up to £2,000 for projects and activities which improve and make a genuine difference to people’s lives in the neighbourhoods where SHG manage properties.

29

£50,000 £1,722 successful applications

total funded average award

Funding has been awarded to a wide range of projects including

Men’s Mental Health support groups

A youth led community garden Gardening Clubs

Digital inclusion initiatives SEND and mental health support groups

Reducing social isolation

Creative therapy for young carers

Disability inclusive basketball

Preventative Services

SKylight is a partner in The Prevention Alliance (TPA) delivering early help and prevention support through the Stockport Support Hub and Your Support to improve the wellbeing of Stockport residents.

6,760 referrals to Stockport Support Hub

Advice provided on 5,081 occasions to 3,553 individuals.

935

Foodbank vouchers issued

1,283 Referrals to Your Support

97% of people showed an improvement in their wellbeing when their case was closed

1,304 digital support sessions delivered by TPA as part of the DigiKnow’ alliance this year

Ageing in Place Pathfinder (AIPP)

The AIPP is a GM wide project testing new ways of creating neighbourhoods that support older people to age well, reduce loneliness and improve quality of life.

Led by a Steering Group of residents, a wide range of events and initiatives have been developed including community gardens, allotments and green spaces, supporting healthy eating, physical activity and Warm Spaces provision.

• More than 1,000 residents aged 50+ have engaged over the life of the programme through drop ins, pop ups, walk and talks, tower block visits, community events and informal conversations. Achievements to date:

Investing in our communities

SKylight is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authorities and finances are independently audited with statutory accounts produced each year. Our main source of income is Gift Aid, funding to deliver services by the local authority and through other government contracts, and membership//subscription fees.

The chart below shows how funding was utilised to deliver services in 2025/26. £159,000 £26,000