Live Well Spring Festival
Between Monday 9 March and Monday 23 March 2026, Greater Manchester will be hosting the first ever Live Well Spring Festival.
Rather than one system-wide event, the festival will pop-up locally with many things happening at once across neighbourhoods, in spaces, community centres, high streets and online places.
The festival period coincides with the holy month of Ramadan and Lent, as well as Eid al-Fitr (expected 19-20 March) and International Women's Day (8 March). Spring festival pop-ups should be planned with care and consideration for religious observances and equality events, including awareness of fasting, prayer times and respectful ways to acknowledge communities of identity.
Rather than one system-wide event, the festival will pop-up locally with many things happening at once across neighbourhoods, in spaces, community centres, high streets and online places. Imagine:
Community pop-ups and street socials
Wellbeing walks or walking audits through parks, canals and green spaces
Storytelling corners and listening circles where local voices are heard and valued
Participation parties that feel joyful, shaping neighbourhoods and local decision-making
Roving public living rooms and food shares that bring neighbours and communities together
Podcast clubs sparking big conversations around what it means to Live Well
Community reporters sharing what Live Well looks like where they live in their own way
Visits to community spaces and centres where Live Well is being brought to life
And more
Together, these local festival pop-ups will showcase how the emerging Live Well hallmarks show up in practice across Greater Manchester’s spaces, places and neighbourhoods.
The four festival 'stages'
The festival will be built around four (metaphorical) stages. Unlike traditional festivals, these are not physical stages. Instead, they act as shared foundations that support local pop-ups to grow, while ensuring a strong, consistent thread runs throughout the festival.
Each pop-up can connect with one or more stages, reflecting the many different ways Live Well is visible across Greater Manchester.
Spaces of hope and connection: Celebrating the trusted, community-rooted places that bring people together – where belonging grows, relationships deepen, and support flows.
Great everyday support: Showcasing inspiring examples of relational and inclusive support in communities that helps people Live Well.
Building bridges and weaving trust: Bringing people, places, and experiences together – strengthening trust, connection and belonging between communities, and with public services.
Participation and community power: Celebrating the ways communities shape the places they live and the decisions that affect their lives – shifting power, driving change, and growing collective action.
You can use this opportunity to showcase the excellent work that you are doing as VCFSE organisations working in the migration sector. This platform is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise and connect with others. If you have an idea for a festival pop-up, you can share it with the Live Well team before Friday 30 January 2026.
Ways to share:
Online form - email gmlivewell@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk if you need support completing it.
Book a 15-minute chat to talk through your idea
The GM Live Well team will walk alongside pop-up curators, enabling ideas to take shape and come to life. A Live Well Spring Festival Fund is also available to resource involvement, participation, and the costs of running events or activities. Any support needed can be shared through the options above.
You can also contact the GMCA migration team at: katie.howe@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk if you would like support in developing your idea.
DRAWING BOARD PRODUCTIONS CIC SECURES FUNDING TO BOOST ELECTRICAL SAFETY AWARENESS IN GREATER MANCHESTER
Drawing Board Productions Community Interest Company, the Stockport-based, profit for purpose organisation behind the Post Newspapers, has won significant funding to deliver a project which will help to increase awareness of electrical safety across Greater Manchester.
The grant award will be used to publish a special Electrical Safety supplement within the five Post Newspapers published by the organisation covering Stockport, Manchester, Trafford, Salford and Cheshire East.
The Electrical Safety Fund is an annual grant scheme run by the charity Electrical Safety First. The Fund provides £1m to support community projects across the UK that aim to reduce domestic electrical risks.
Around half of all domestic fires in the UK are caused by electricity, with most of those arising from electrical products.
Lesley Rudd, chief executive at Electrical Safety First, says: “We are delighted to award this grant to Drawing Board Productions Community Interest Company. Our Electrical Safety Fund is designed to empower groups to help keep local people in their communities safe. Our website provides free advice for everyone to avoid fatal electrical fires and shocks in their home – visit: electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk.”
Keep a look out on the Post Newspapers website in March to read this special edition supplement: www.communitynewsgm.co.uk
Chorlton and Whalley Range Neighbourhood Update
by Laura Cassidy, Neighbourhoods Team
Free NHS Health Checks
The NHS Health Check team will be delivering Free Health Checks for those eligible and aged 40 - 74 at St Margaret’s Centre on Friday 23 January from 10am to 3pm. To check your eligibility and to book an appointment please call or text 07901 133 971. St Margaret’s Centre, Brantingham Road, M21 0TT.
Chorlton Chatty Café
Wednesdays are Chorlton Chatty Café Days! If you are looking to get out, meet new people, or just have a quick chat, all are welcome. Wednesdays 11am to 1pm at Tea Hive, 53 Manchester Road, Chorlton, M21 9PW. Stay for as little or as long as you would like. No pressure to buy anything.
Alex Park Winter Bird Walk
Join Tony from Friends of Alexandra Park Wildlife Group for a Winter Bird walk on Sunday 25 January. Meet at the lakeside opposite the café at 10:30am, walk lasts until 12 noon. You can join or leave at any time. Bring binoculars if you have them, some will be available to borrow if not, and please dress for the weather.
Chorlton Park Wassailing
It's Chorlton Park’s 4th Wassailing event on Saturday 31 January. This year you are invited to join in pruning the apple trees from 2pm to 3:30pm. No tools or experience needed. Learn a new skill! There will be crafts in The Whitehouse with Unity Arts from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, and join the Wassail parade from 5:30pm. Come for as little or much time as you want!
Whalley Range Scouts Jumble Sale
Whalley Range Scouts will be holding a Jumble Sale at their Scout Hut on Sunday 25 January from 9am to 12noon. Find hidden treasures and amazing bargains on clothes, books, bric-a-brac, toys and more. Please take cash and change. All proceeds go towards the World Scout Jamboree Poland 2027. Whalley Range Scout Hut, Egerton Road South, M21 0YP.