Community Projects
Creating Projects That Make a Difference
At Academy HQ, our team is dedicated to securing funding and grants to develop meaningful community projects that directly support the most vulnerable individuals and families across Tameside.
These projects are designed to respond to real needs within our local area—promoting health, wellbeing, and connection for those who need it most.
.png)
Feel Good Fridays Initiatives
At Academy HQ, our team is dedicated to securing funding and grants to develop meaningful community projects that directly support the most vulnerable individuals and families across Tameside.
These projects are designed to respond to real needs within our local area—promoting health, wellbeing, and connection for those who need it most.
Past initiatives include:
-
Feel Good Fridays
A two-phase project offering support and wellbeing activities:-
In collaboration with The Wig and Scarf Room, we delivered free and subsidised holistic health sessions for individuals affected by cancer and their families.
-
The second phase focused on young people aged 12–16 facing mental health challenges, providing safe, supportive spaces and practical tools to build resilience.
-
In addition to funded projects, we also host regular fundraising events and community activities at our hub. These events help us continue our work and bring people together in positive, uplifting ways.
Want to get involved?
Keep an eye on our social media channels for the latest updates and upcoming events!
Koku
We're proud to be working in partnership with the creators of the NHS-backed Koku app, Manchester University, and the Feel Good Foundation to deliver a unique project designed to support the physical health of adults aged 55 and over.
As part of this initiative, we’re offering free tablet hire for up to 12 weeks. Each device comes preloaded with the Koku app, which provides fun and easy-to-follow balance and strength exercises you can do from the comfort of your own home. Full training on how to use the app is included. No tech skills needed!
Why take part?
-
Improve strength, mobility, and balance
-
Make exercise engaging and accessible
-
Reduce sedentary behaviour
-
Help prevent falls and build confidence
This is a fantastic opportunity to stay active and independent, and it's completely free to take part.
Want to get involved or learn more?
Get in touch with us today we're here to help you every step of the way!
Winter Warmth and Wellbeing Campaigns
Every year, Academy HQ launches our Winter Warmth Project—an initiative dedicated to supporting the Stalybridge community during the winter months.
As a recognised Warm Welcome Space, our hub provides a safe, welcoming environment where people can stay warm, connect with others, and access free hot drinks, food, and wellbeing activities. We also host a range of taster sessions designed to lift spirits and support mental and physical health during the colder season.
In addition to our in-house support, this year we successfully launched an outreach programme. Delivering warm clothing, blankets, and heating devices directly to individuals and families in the Stalybridge area who needed it most.
Our aim is simple: to reduce isolation, provide warmth, and ensure no one in our community is left behind during winter.
Active Projects
Introducing Digital Spring: Empowering Tameside – 2025
You asked, we listened.
Academy HQ is proud to launch the Digital Spring: Empowering Tameside project for 2025, in partnership with PCRefurb. This exciting initiative will bring you a series of tailored digital workshops based on the topics you’ve told us matter most.
We’re expanding our popular weekly drop-in sessions—currently running at full capacity—and introducing fortnightly specialised workshops. These sessions are designed to provide practical, focused support to meet the wide-ranging digital needs of our community.
Whether you're looking to improve your confidence or learn something new, topics will include:
-
Web safety and online security
-
Online banking basics
-
Using social media confidently
-
CV writing and job search support
Keep an eye out for details about our Welcome Event, where you can drop in, meet the team, and discover how to get involved.
Empowering Tameside through digital confidence - one session at a time.
Help Us Grow Something Amazing!
We’re transforming our outdoor space into a vibrant community garden bursting with flowers, fruits, and vegetables. This exciting project will be a highlight of our summer half-term camps, giving children the chance to get hands-on with nature—learning how to grow their own food, care for the environment, and make healthy lifestyle choices.
We’re looking for donations (tools, seeds, soil, or plants) and volunteers to help bring this green vision to life. Whether you can give a little time, share resources, or know someone who might like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Together, we can plant seeds of knowledge, sustainability, and community spirit.