About Stockport Neighbourhood Watch - Stockport Neighbourhood Watch

SNWA HOMEPAGE ABOUT SNWA

Protecting the people of Stockport

Stockport Neighbourhood Watch is a not for profit organisation designed to support and protect residents in our local area. It's our mission to create a safer, stronger and more connected community for the 30,000 people living in Stockport.

We support Stockport Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators as they form a community of local Members willing to look out for their neighbours, building an inclusive and resilient society. Together, we advocate causes that improve the quality of life for Stockport residents and bring neighbours together.

Our community Members take action to prevent crime - and the fear of crime - by protecting themselves, their property and their communities. By working closely with the police and council, we identify and meet the needs of our communities while protecting those who are vulnerable and at risk of harm.

Interested in joining a scheme?

FIND YOUR LOCAL SCHEME

Our Values

Neighbourly

We aspire to be good neighbours

Community-focused

We bring people together

Inclusive

We are welcoming to all people

Proactive

We are active within communities, and relevant within today's world

Trusted

We are dependable, caring, respectable, approachable and supportive

Collaborative

We work as a team, in partnerships and within communities

We have Neighbourhood Watch schemes in the following areas

Meet our Committee Members

Michele Minett

TREASURER

I am a retired Computer Services Management Consultant. My skills were in project management and process engineering. I have been involved with running a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme since 1993, when it was known as Home Watch. I am based in Davenport.

I attended the inaugural meeting of the Stockport Neighbourhood Watch Association and was extremely keen to see it take up the support and coordination role for local schemes which had been missing for some time. This ultimately led to my volunteering my services as Assistant Treasurer and then taking over as Treasurer in January 2020.

Philip Handscomb

CHAIRMAN

I worked as an electronic engineer, mainly as a test engineer in the manufacturing industry, on a contract basis so as a consultant. But I have now taken early retirement. I'm from the South but settled here in Stockport after university.

I'm a keen cyclist. I'm a volunteer in 2 charities, one runs a community boat, named Mary Sunley, on the canal near Poynton where I act as "mate" on the boat trips, the other, Seedstudios, an arts & well-being organisation in Trafford where I am the treasurer.

I started helping out SNWA in January 2023 by updating the weekly crime statistics and was elected to Chairman in April.

Helena Fone

SECRETARY

Hello! I worked for the Govt for over 20 years as HR/IT Manager, Internal Fraud Investigator, Business Consultant and Tax Inspector. I was voluntary Bench Chair at Sale Magistrates Court for 17 years. I retrained as a Psychotherapist and Mindfulness Teacher, specialising in trauma and anxiety. For 10 years I lived on the island of Gozo near Malta and learned a lot from that experience. I've been a volunteer most of my life and ambitiously entering the village of Romiley for the 2026 Britain in Bloom competition. In my spare time I love walking, swimming, baking, learning, gardening, entertaining family and friends.

I'm new to Neighbourhood Watch (becoming a scheme co-ordinator in January 2025) and somehow found myself volunteering to be a Secretary of SNWA in October 2025. I will do my best to bring my knowledge and enthusiasm to the role and already value the support of the Chair and the other SNW Committee members and volunteers.

Sally Gration

Hello! My name is Sally Gration. I am a retired early years teacher.

I have been a coordinator for Stockport NHW (formerly Homewatch) since 1998. I decided to set up a scheme following a burglary at my home. It was a great decision. Originally the residents on our road didn’t know their neighbours. Today we have a wonderful community spirit where we support each other in many ways. I believe this change came about due to us joining NHW. I’d like to see more schemes set up so that others can experience the benefits.

We have over 300 volunteer coordinators all running local schemes - too many to fit on the page!

If you're interested in starting your own scheme, please click here.

If you would like to learn more about the volunteering opportunities with the Stockport Neighbourhood Watch Association, please click here.

Got any questions? Click here to view FAQs