The GM Participation Playbook Launch- Shaping how we Live Well together

Across the UK, trust in institutions is falling and too many communities feel decisions are made about them rather than with them. At the same time, public services and leaders want to work differently, but are often held back by outdated processes.

That’s why Greater Manchester is launching the GM Participation Playbook: Shaping how we Live Well Together – a practical, co-designed guide that brings together tried-and-tested participatory approaches, from citizens’ assemblies and participatory budgeting to co-production and digital democracy. More than just a set of tools, the Playbook is designed to spark ideas, build confidence and equip people to work differently with communities at every level.

And in true #GMLiveWell style, you won’t just hear about participation – you’ll experience it.

Some of the Playbook’s featured methodologies will be brought to life at the event, giving you first-hand insight into what it feels like to participate and actively shape decisions collectively.

On the day, you’ll:

• Celebrate the launch with Mayor Andy Burnham, VCFSE partners, NHS and local authority colleagues, national funders, and community leaders.
• Get your own copy of the GM Live Well Participation Playbook, learn about its ambitions, and explore the participatory methods it features.
• Hear directly from colleagues and communities across Greater Manchester who are already using these approaches – discovering what they’ve learned and the real impact of putting people at the heart of decisions.
• Meet and connect with others who are driving the movement for community power and community-led change and work together to begin designing a participatory process of your own.
• Contribute to a Greater Manchester Live Well Participation Charter, a shared commitment to action!

As the event takes place on Remembrance Day, we will pause together at 11:00am for a one-minute silence and time for reflection.

So come and join us – as we press PLAY on launching the Playbook, celebrate participatory approaches, and continue growing the movement where Greater Manchester’s communities don’t just have a voice, but the resources and power to shape decisions.

This is more than participation: it’s about communities leading the way, and services creating the conditions to support that leadership. Together, we can shape a Greater Manchester where everyone can Live Well.