The Shears Foundation is proud to have supported a diverse range of charities over our 26 year history. Our trustees work hard to select groups that best help us achieve our objectives across all our priority areas. The groups below have been kind enough to share their story for our website. We hope they give you a flavour of what we do and bring alive the impact of The Shears Foundation.

Audience member watching a Frozen Light performance. Photo: JMA Photography
Audience member watching a Frozen Light performance. Photo: JMA Photography

Frozen Light creates and extensively tours high quality multi sensory theatre for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

A group of Youth Leads representatives presenting on "What is youth social action?"
A group of Youth Leads representatives presenting on "What is youth social action?"

Youth Leads UK is an entirely youth-led charity. They are transforming youth representation and leadership for working class young people aged 14-25 in Greater Manchester. They do this through peer-led programmes of volunteering, social action projects, and learning experiences, and by amplifying the voice of young people with key decision makers.

Two volunteers making information packs
Two volunteers making information packs

Haemochromatosis UK support over 14,000 families every year to live well with iron overload disorder. It’s the UK’s most common genetic condition, directly affecting over 380,000 people. Although it is commonplace, the condition is significantly under-diagnosed in the UK.

Two warehouse volunteers handling deliveries
Two warehouse volunteers handling deliveries

EMERGE 3RS mission is to create a society where everyone can have their resource needs met in a way that is environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive and economically responsible. They run FareShare Greater Manchester which leads the fight against food poverty by minimising food waste.

Three Jennyruth Workshops representatives standing in front of a stall
Three Jennyruth Workshops representatives standing in front of a stall

Jennyruth Workshops offers a fun and vibrant workplace experience for adults who have learning disabilities. With tailored support from staff and volunteers, our team of ‘workers’ are involved in all aspects of the business, the focus of which is the production of a range of high quality, hand-crafted products.

Two school pupils playing a keyboard
Two school pupils playing a keyboard

Abram Wilson runs an innovative and award-winning schools programme called Future Sound. Our workshops focus on skills that students simply aren’t offered as part of their in-school music curriculum, including composition, songwriting, performance skills, recording music and building a career in the music industry.

A teacher reading to children
A teacher reading to children
Over the years that The Shears Foundation have been supporting Seven Stories, our learning work has grown beyond our first expectations in its reach and variety.
Four children looking over a farm gate into a building with Solidarity Farm founder John Harrison
Four children looking over a farm gate into a building with Solidarity Farm founder John Harrison
Solidarity Farm is a Community Interest Company located on an organic farm on the edge of the Northumberland national park. It has a pedigree herd of Luing cattle and a flock of sheep, creating an environment where those who may struggle with more formal approaches to education can experience community and belonging.
Whitley Fund for Nature
Whitley Fund for Nature
WFN gives funding, training and recognition to local conservation leaders working in resource-poor, biodiversity-rich countries. We offer three types of grant to enable conservationists to scale up their vital work and make a real and measurable difference to wildlife and local communities.
Maintenance being carried out on one of the GTL's raised beds
Maintenance being carried out on one of the GTL's raised beds

Growing Together Levenshulme is a community of asylum seekers and refugees who come together at a beautiful community garden in Manchester to access and receive a wide variety of support, enjoy therapeutic gardening and craft sessions, and create a beautiful relaxing space to enjoy together.

A group of West End Refugee Service representatives
A group of West End Refugee Service representatives

Each year West End Refugee Service welcomes, helps and empowers over 500 men and women who have fled persecution and supports their integration into the wider community.

A group of Open Country representatives taking part in an outdoor activity
A group of Open Country representatives taking part in an outdoor activity

Based in Yorkshire, Open Country is a charity dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions to access and enjoy the countryside. Our mission is to break down barriers and ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can experience the wonders of nature.