Dive into what’s strong in Greater Manchester neighbourhoods – knowledge, skills and experience - and how growing this leads to lasting change.

What has community power got to do with people living a good life?

We’ll discuss how solutions grown with communities lead to better outcomes. Hear from people across Greater Manchester shaping their neighbourhoods and creating spaces where people feel safe, seen and supported.

From neighbourhood councils, mutual aid groups, community organising and grassroots action networks to public services sharing power through participatory approaches, asset-based practice and working in genuine collaboration.

This episode reflects on how public services lead, support and show up differently in work.

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 - Introduction

01:26 - Exploring Community Power

03:34 - Voices from the Community

06:03 - Community Superpowers

08:45 - Community Power in Action

15:21 - Fighting Poverty and Debt

19:55 - Youth Leadership and Participation

24:32 - Legislative Theatre and Policy Change

28:55 - Reflections and Future Directions

32:27 - Conclusion and Call to Action

Organisations & groups featured:

GMCA - Tabz and Annette, Caroline Simpson

Women's Voices - Nadia Siddiqui

Rekindle Supplementary School - Nika Muthra-Shah

Caring and Sharing - Nicky Iginla

Open Agency - Selva Mustafa

Elephants Trail – Paddy, Shannon

Disability Stockport – via Elephants Trail

SAWN - Agatha Phiri

Debt Justice – Richard Dunbar

Anti-Poverty Foundation panel for Rochdale - Jo Barker-Marsh

Young Manchester - Samuel Remi-Akinwale

Youth Focus Northwest Be Counted Project - Madia and Divine

Legislative theater facilitator- Sam Dixon

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology - Liz Kendall MP

Some watching:

Able, Elephants Trail - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUQgsVLRTT0

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