22 Organisations Receive GM=EqAl Micro-grant to Support Communities to Live Well

The grants offered up to £1,000 for small, community-led activities that help communities across Greater Manchester connect, create, and improve wellbeing, ultimately answering the question 'How do we Live Well together?'.

This fund was designed for geographically dispersed and intersectional groups. This means communities that may not be concentrated in any particular geographical area, may not always be visible at a local level but a have significant population across Greater Manchester, or an intersectional community that may have specific needs or experiences, requiring tailored approaches.

We received a significant number of applications, but we are proud to fund 22 community organisations.

Please see below for the full list and a brief description of their activity.

The Beautiful Minds

A programme for older adults and disabled older people in Oldham, offering gentle movement, creative activities and social connection to reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.

CTeen Manchester

Weekly creative, social and wellbeing sessions for Jewish teenagers experiencing isolation, stress or low confidence, giving participants a culturally comfortable and uplifting space to connect and grow.

KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club

A programme of culturally sensitive wellbeing sessions for girls and young women in Bolton, including creative arts, mindfulness and light physical activity to build confidence and strengthen community connection.

Marple Youth Project CIC

A project to create an art trail using artwork created by local children, promoting creativity, connectedness to place, sustainability and improved wellbeing through free, inclusive workshops.

Easy Come, Easy Grow Mcr

Fortnightly coffee mornings for high‑rise residents in Newton Heath, providing a safe indoor space to meet, chat and reduce isolation. Simple activities like board games and creative tasks will help residents socialise, rebuild trust and strengthen community bonds.

Helping Our Kehillah

Their work involves hand‑delivering kosher food boxes to Orthodox Jewish families experiencing hardship, using each visit as an opportunity to assess needs and offer personalised support.

Action 2 Inspire

The project is a series of three culturally inclusive shared meals and storytelling sessions designed for racially marginalised and migrant community members dispersed across Oldham to reduce isolation, celebrate culture and build meaningful connections.

Community Medics CIC

Mobile sessions across Greater Manchester offering LGBTQ+ young people safe, affirming spaces to build confidence, learn life-saving skills and reduce isolation.

Think Cre8tive Group CIC

A pilot of inclusive singing and wellbeing workshops for isolated or marginalised adults in Bolton. Participants will co‑design sessions, use music to reduce stress, and build confidence, connection and emotional resilience.

Beyond Mama (Tameside-based)

A small‑group programme in Tameside helping mothers manage anxiety, overwhelm and self‑doubt through nervous system regulation techniques, reflection, self‑compassion and peer support.

All Ears MHA CIC (Wigan-based)

Sensory‑friendly art and expression sessions for SEND young people who struggle with confidence, communication or emotional regulation. Activities like paint‑throwing and therapeutic art will provide safe ways to express feelings, build resilience and connect with peers.

She Rises Collective

Three practical workshops for Polish migrant women in Salford who understand English but lack confidence to speak in everyday situations. The project builds communication skills, reduces anxiety and supports fuller participation in community life.

Serenity Seekers

Delivery of inclusive, women-led wellbeing activities in Bolton that empower women in recovery, carers, domestic abuse survivors, and those facing health inequalities, particularly from diverse backgrounds, to connect, heal, and build resilience together.

The Mental Marathon

Eight weeks of communal cooking sessions bringing women together to share meals, learn nutrition skills and build confidence. The safe, supportive environment aims to reduce isolation and empower women facing economic hardship or emotional challenges.

Grass Routes Movement CIC

Two wellbeing sessions combining nature walks and reflective journaling for migrant women living in domestic abuse refuges. Using the Five Ways to Wellbeing framework, the project will support healing, confidence and everyday resilience through movement and creativity.

Greater Manchester Neshomo CIO

A  mental health awareness training event for members of the Jewish community, delivered by Project Lilly that aims to reduce stigma, improve understanding, and upskill volunteer befrienders to better support people experiencing mental health difficulties.

Ensemble Arts

An eight‑week warm, creative and social hub for older adults, offering arts, storytelling, winter wellbeing support and care packages. The project tackles loneliness, seasonal stress and social exclusion during the winter months.

Uplift Unite CIC

Six weeks of nature‑based wellbeing sessions using walking, mindfulness, Tai Chi and peer support to help women recovering from domestic abuse or experiencing vulnerability, aiming to build confidence, emotional resilience and supportive friendships.

Itsherstory CIC

A one‑day creative event where up to 50 women will explore identity and community through storytelling, rhythm and rhyme. The project amplifies diverse voices, builds confidence and feeds into a wider programme supporting women’s wellbeing and inclusion.

Social by Design CIC

A series of small, culturally familiar wellbeing gatherings offering shared food, Arabic‑language support and safe social connection for Arabic‑speaking refugees. The project aims to reduce deep isolation and build confidence among people facing language and cultural barriers.

Manchester Titans AFC

Training 28 volunteers in Level 1 Mental Health First Aid to embed wellbeing support across all teams, creating a club‑wide network of mental health advocates benefiting more than 250 players and the wider community.