Live Well is one of Mayor Andy Burnham’s key commitments to help everyone across Greater Manchester live healthier, happier lives, no matter where they live or what their situation is.
The Live Well movement helps bring local services and communities together so people can get the right support, sooner. It focuses on preventing problems before they start and making public services work better for residents in every neighbourhood.
Our local Voluntary & Community sector plays a valuable part in delivering neighbourhood, person-centred services to support Stockport residents to Live Well and prevent them from serious ill-health.
Live Well is about making it easier for people to get help earlier, in the places they already go, from people they trust.
It’s a commitment to collaboration and working smarter, by working together.
Here’s what that looks like in day‑to‑day life:
Live Well aims to create local “front doors” for support, so you don’t have to ring around different services or wait until things get really bad.
This includes Live Well centres and spaces where residents can find practical help like:
These centres bring together the NHS, Stockport Council, charities and community groups so the support feels connected and simple, instead of confusing and fragmented.
Instead of waiting for people to hit breaking point, Live Well shifts Greater Manchester towards prevention and early support.
That means:
The goal is to make it easier to stay well rather than constantly trying to “fix” things later.
A big part of Live Well is funding and strengthening our local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector, groups who are already trusted and supporting residents every day.
This will help support these community organisations to:
Residents will have more influence over what support looks like in their neighbourhood.
For example, helping decide how funding is spent or what community services are needed.
Live Well is built around the idea that people should be heard, involved and valued, rather than being “done to”.
Live Well is training and supporting staff across health, council and community services to work together with shared values, making support feel more personal, not bureaucratic.
This should mean:
Live Well will support more opportunities for people to:
This can include simple, accessible things like walks, craft groups, fitness sessions, kids’ activities, or community events, not just clinical services.
Live Well recognises that wellbeing isn’t just about doctors and hospitals, it’s also about:
Volunteers play a key role in helping people to Live Well. Carers, befrienders, event organisers, cooks, the list goes on. As volunteers you give up your time to help your communities be strong, healthy and happy.
It also goes both ways for volunteers. You have no doubt made new friends, learnt new skills and gained confidence in your volunteer roles.
So the act of volunteering in itself can help you to
Live Well.
This is Make Build Grow, a social enterprise and creative space in Stockport.
Make Build Grow used Live Well Funding to spruce up their little corner in Cheadle Heath, creating a more inviting area for local residents.
These updates are already making a difference, helping encourage more young people to get involved in their community and make use of the space.
From Festivals to Community Forums and volunteer training, there are lots of opportunities in Stockport to get involved with Live Well.
Visit the Training & Events section for more information.
Discoverthe latest developments and progress in Greater Manchester’s Live Well movement via the newsletter.
Get to know your communities!
Hear from local people in Stockport on what Living Well means to them.
Stockport based Social Enterprise, Rising Stars North West, walk the streets of Stockport, speaking to residents about their experiences living in the area.
Listen to the Stockport Living Well Podcast Episode 1 here
We are temporarily without a home as we wait to move into our new office in the new year.
This means that our old phone number is no longer in use. Please look out for our new number, which we’ll have in the new year.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
We are still contactable via email on support@stockportvolunteerhub.org.uk
