Co-design in action: Shaping a project to support dispersed communities to Live Well
On Tuesday 30th September, over 30 participants, including GM Eq=Al members and local VCFSE infrastructure organisation colleagues, came together for a co-design session to shape the GM Live Well Inclusion & Wellbeing Partnership pilot fund.
Funded by GMCA and NHS GM, the Inclusion & Wellbeing Partnership fund is being delivered by Greater Manchester Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl) as part of GM Live Well, Greater Manchester's movement for community-led health and wellbeing, to support geographically dispersed communities of identity or experience in Greater Manchester. Led by the principles of participatory grant-making, community-voice and transparency, the fund will act as a pilot to test equitable funding practices that address gaps in mainstream provision.
A portion of the fund has been committed to GM=EqAl members so that, rather than competing for limited funding, the membership, who represent the dispersed and marginalised communities this fund is targeting, will be empowered to think creatively and work together to leverage their own resources alongside the funding, creating impact where it is most needed.
The co-design session on 30th September explored the needs, priorities, challenges and opportunities across four thematic areas that emerged from expressions of intertest (EOIs) that GM=EqAl members submitted ahead of the session. These four areas identified were Neurodivergence, Race, LGBTQ+, and Mental Health.
We are delighted to share that the outcome of the co-design session is that one collaborative project will be developed and delivered, drawing on the strengths of the different EOIs, centred around race inequality and other intersecting characteristics. This projects primary aim will be to improve mental health outcomes for racially marginalised people, while building resilience, capacity and inclusive practice across communities and organisations.
What’s next?
Delivery of this project will take place over4 months, November 2025 through February 2026. It will include a robust evaluation process to determine the funds impact in reaching racially marginalised people, building resilience, and supporting mental wellbeing.
An open small grants programme will open in early 2026, with grants of between £500-£1,000 available for grassroots initiatives working across at least two Greater Manchester boroughs to support the mental wellbeing of geographically dispersed communities.
Wider Community learning events are being planned for the start of 2026 where GM=EqAl members and other stakeholders can sharing knowledge and learning based on the progress and impact of the funding so far.
Thank you to everyone that was able to join the co-design session. Your voices have been heard and will continue to be central to this work.
About GM=EqAl
Greater Manchester Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl) are a coalition of organisations and individuals committed to tackling inequalities of power, resource, health and opportunity in Greater Manchester.
It is funded by the GM VCFSE Accord, a collaboration agreement between the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, NHS GM and the GM voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
