On Wednesday 22 July, we were pleased to attend the GM Mayoral Hustings in Stockport.
Hosted by Sector 3, the hustings provided an opportunity for Stockport’s Voluntary & Community Sector to hear directly from Mayoral candidates on their approach to working with and supporting the charitable and voluntary sector.
In attendance was Geraldine Coggins from the Green Party and Richard Kilpatrick from the Lib Dems.
Introductions from the candidates
Questions put forward to the candidates covered a wide variety of issues affecting the community – including mental health support for veterans, support for immigrants and refugees, housing and affordability, accessing services, devolution, and standardisation of provision across the councils.
Both party representatives spoke about championing diversity and the lack of security that residents feel with the cost-of-living crisis.
In their opening remarks, Geraldine spoke about the need for housing to be about homes, not investments. She also emphasised a need to “invest in prevention services, so people don’t reach crisis.”
Richard continued that, “I understand the long-term lack of guarantee of funding in the sector. My priority is to make Greater Manchester affordable again and that is by addressing 3 key issues: childcare, housing, and the social care crisis.”
Supporting disabled people and children in care
We presented a question of our own for the two candidates:
How are you going to address disability inclusion and work collaboratively with organisations to support disabled people and children in care?
Geraldine spoke to the power of co-design to make sure public areas and services are shaped by disabled people. “I’ve spoken with so many families who have been not just let down but broken by the system,” she said.
“It comes down to co-design with lived experience and listening to people when we design our spaces.” For example, dropped curbs for visually impaired people.
Richard reiterated the power of co-design as well as the importance of meaningful consultation. “Currently, councils work in silos,” he explained. “Power of mandating is key here – we need to make sure there are minimum standards of consultation, so standards are the same whether you live in Stockport, Trafford, etc.”
Richard also spoke about his own experience of social care, with both his parents having worked at day centres and his experience being a carer to his own mum when she had early onset Alzheimer’s – emphasising that disability and health issues can affect anyone.
Geraldine added her own experience and passion for non-profit children’s care: “When I grew up, my parents fostered and I’ve seen the impact that it’s had on people’s lives. I feel extremely strongly against private children’s homes which make around 90% in Trafford.
“People making profits off children at their most vulnerable time – I’m determined to make this a public scandal. Services for vulnerable people are not an opportunity to make a quick buck.”
In response to the candidate’s comments, Styliana Pasiardi, Charity Policy and Campaigns Manager at the Together Trust, shares:
”We’re grateful that both candidates engaged with our question and highlighted the importance of co-design and meaningful consultation. Disabled people, children in care and their families must be at the heart of decisions about the services and support they rely on.
“We also welcome Geraldine’s comments on profit-making in children’s social care, which align with our position. Every child in care deserves the highest standard of care, with decisions driven solely by their needs and wellbeing. Care should never be shaped by profit motives, and public funding should be focused on delivering the best outcomes for children and young people.”
Making your voice heard this election
For information on voting, GMCA have created a handy guide and video below:
As well as Geraldine and Richard, the other candidates for Mayor of Manchester are:
- Bev Craig, Labour
- Marcus Jonathan Farmer, Independent
- Marlon Scott West, Restore
- Phil Eckersley, Conservatives
- Sian Niamh Astley, Reform
You can find out more about each candidate and their statements here. (Note: all candidates were invited to the hustings but not all were available to attend).
Polling stations across Greater Manchester will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday July 30 2026.
