Live Well in Greater Manchester
What is GM Live Well?
GM Live Well brings together people, services and organisations across Greater Manchester, including NHS Greater Manchester, local councils, the VCSE sector, community groups, businesses and residents. Together, they are working to ensure people can easily access support, advice and opportunities to improve their health and wellbeing close to home.
Live Well is Greater Manchester’s growing movement for community-led health and wellbeing, helping to tackle health, social and economic inequalities and remove barriers to opportunity. By bringing together local people, community organisations and public services, it aims to ensure everyone can live healthier, happier lives, feel connected to their community, and access the support they need in their neighbourhood
Live Well in Bury
Across Bury, work is already underway to build a network of Live Well Centres and Live Well Spaces in all five neighbourhoods. These places will offer friendly, local support that’s easy to access and rooted in the community.
Live Well Spaces
Live Well Spaces are informal, welcoming spots where people can drop in, connect with others and find support. They’re often run by voluntary groups, peer networks or local volunteers. These spaces could be cafés, libraries, community centres or pop up areas within other venues. They’re designed to feel familiar, accessible and part of everyday life.
Live Well Centres
Live Well Centres bring services and community support together in one place. They offer a warm welcome, guidance, and links to local activities. Together, they form trusted spaces where people feel at home and get early help before problems grow.
Live Well Offers
Work together across sectors to ensure that the offers and services local people need are available, whether that's housing or benefits advice through to early years advice and support.
Bury’s First Live Well Centre: Opening 2026
As part of Phase 1, Bury Council, NHS GM and Bury VCFA are working together to bring a currently disused building, The Ark on Albert Road in Whitefield, back into community use.
After conversations with residents and the VCFSE sector, plans are underway to transform The Ark into Bury’s first Live Well Centre.
This ambitious project aims to open Phase 1 of the project in June 2026 giving local people a welcoming place to connect, find support and get involved.
Photograph of The Ark on Albert Road, Whitefield (February 2026)
Live Well Spaces of Hope
Launched in April 2026, Live Well Spaces of Hope and Connection is one strand within the broader GM Live Well model, which also includes Live Well Centres, Live Well Offers and other community-based Live Well Spaces. This investment will ensure that VCFSE-led and community-led spaces are firmly embedded within the Live Well approach, and provide practical learning about how communities can protect, sustain and grow their own local Spaces of Hope.
We'll be sharing updates and opportunities via our e-bulletin and the Bury VCSE Leadership group. You can find out more about the GM Live Well Spaces of Hope and Connection by visiting the 10GM website.
