Explore what happens when communities take action and lead everyday local support.

Community action is the heartbeat of our neighbourhoods — where peer support groups, taxi drivers, barbers, neighbours and volunteers are stepping up, connecting and creating change.

This episode is filled with stories of our communities showing up for each other, friendly faces and places for people to turn to without referrals, long waits and fear.

Featuring voices from across the city-region, from our libraries, food banks, music cafés, youth hubs and women-led groups and more, this episode shows how trust, hope, and collaboration are growing healthier, stronger and fairer communities.

This series shares honest, lived experiences. Some content may feel sensitive or challenging. Please listen in a way that feels right for you.

Talking Points:

00:00 - Welcome to the Greater Manchester Live Well Podcast

00:37 - Introduction to the Live Well Vision

01:40 - Meet Your Hosts and Episode Overview

02:56 - Community Action and Everyday Support

04:51 - Spotlight on Elephants Trail

06:33 - Voices from the Community

10:10 - Gorton: A Hub of Collaboration and Support

15:11 - Empowering Women and Building Community

20:36 - Community-Led Support in Action

29:51 - Reflections and Future Directions

32:08 - Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Organisations & groups featured:

GMCA - Tabz O’Brien and Annette Cloherty

Unlimited Potential - Chris Dabbs

Elephants Trail – Paddy, Shannon

Longsight Library – via Elephants Trail

Cutz on the Block – via Elephants Trail

Veterans Allotment in Denton – via Elephants Trail

Smallshaw Hurst Parent group - via Elephant's Trail

The Monastery - Elaine Griffiths

Healthy Me Healthy Communities - Kate

Angels of Hope - Leah Chikamba

Inspirational Women - Chizzy Ijeh

Southway Housing - Miu

Gorton Hub - Michael Kendall Lamb

BFI Active CIC - Shamime Jan

Kelly – Smallshawhurst Pantry

Angels United - Oliver Monk

Class – Community Savers - Sophie King, Susan Anya

Age UK - Keith Carter

Some watching:

Connection, Elephants Trail - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9SfcRoXBwA

Further Reading:

Read the transcript for this episode here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NjNbLNWAw9NWbsjvHb5tjCoJlkBTtcHC?usp=drive_linkre

GM Live Well is Greater Manchester’s commitment to ensuring great everyday support is available in every neighbourhood. It will tackle health, social and economic inequalities by changing how public services work with people and communities to grow opportunities for everyone to Live Well.

GM Live Well will ensure everyone has the support, control, connections and resources to lead a healthy and happy life.

Find out more: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/live-well/

This podcast brings together over 100 voices from across Greater Manchester, add yours to conversations on social media using #GMLiveWell.

Funders:

GM Live Well is a partnership between GMCA, NHS GM 10 GM and partners across the city-region. Movement building and learning, and accelerator work in five boroughs has been funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Credits:

A MIC media Production