North Manchester Long-Term Conditions Project

Overview of the Project
Funded until 31 March 2027 by the Manchester Local Care Organisation, Manchester Settlement is in partnership with four voluntary community and social enterprise organisations (Neighbourhood Health Creation Organisations); one in each of the areas of North Manchester listed below, to roll out a new Community Health Creation Project.

1) Cheetham and Crumpsall
2) Higher Blackley, Harpurhey and Charlestown
3) Miles Platting, Newton Heath and Moston
4) Ancoats, Beswick, Clayton and Openshaw

Project Aims

This project enables targeted communities with long term health conditions to take control of their own health by embracing the existing relationships, trust and connectivity that underpin the work of key VCSE community organisations to meet the following aims:-

• To improve awareness of and management of long term health conditions (LTC’s)
• Develop and implement activity across 4 priority areas across North Manchester
• Embed ‘The Health Creation Framework’ in all processes

Health Creation in North Manchester: Interim Project Update

The Long-Term Conditions Health Creation Project is a community-led programme funded by Manchester Local Care Organisation (MLCO) and coordinated by Manchester Settlement. Over the first half of the project, a strong delivery infrastructure has been established across North Manchester, bringing together four Neighbourhood Health Creation Organisations and 16 grassroots community partners to tackle health inequalities and support people living with long-term health conditions.

Operationally, the project has successfully recruited and supported 20 partner organisations, trained 51 volunteer Health Creators, delivered 19 learning and development events, and established governance, evaluation and partnership structures to support sustainable community-led delivery. To date, partners have delivered over 550 community sessions, engaging over 600 residents across diverse communities and neighbourhoods.

Early evidence shows the project is helping people take greater control of their health. Participant feedback indicates improved understanding and self-management of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and respiratory conditions, with 32% reporting healthier lifestyle changes and 26% reporting increased confidence and ability to manage their health. Many participants have also shared their learning with family and community members, extending the project's impact beyond those directly involved.

The project is also strengthening the capacity of local voluntary and community organisations. Through training, mentoring and collaborative learning, partners are developing new skills, practices and community leadership, creating a stronger foundation for long-term community health improvement. At the halfway stage, the programme is demonstrating how trusted local organisations can play a vital role in reducing health inequalities, improving wellbeing and building healthier, more connected communities.

Download the full interim report below

To showcase the incredible work of this programme, in collaboration with Greater Manchester Moving and FreshRB, we have created a series of videos highlighting the impact and achievements of the participating organisations. These videos demonstrate the breadth of activity taking place across the neighbourhoods, showcasing how projects are designed and delivered with and for the communities they support.

The first video provides an introduction to ‘The Framework for Health Creation’ and how it has been embedded across the neighbourhood projects. Hear from Adrian Ball (Manchester Settlement, CEO) and Lizzie Hughes (Integrated Neighbourhood Lead – Manchester Local Care Organisation) as they share their passion for health creation and explain how this approach empowers local people to meet health outcomes; tackling health inequalities. The video explores how health creation moves beyond traditional healthcare models to ‘brave’ commissioning, focusing on community strengths and local solutions to improve health and wellbeing.

Below, you will find videos highlighting the fantastic work of 4 VCSFE projects (one in each of the four neighbourhoods):

Medicare Foundation – Hear how a ‘Health Creator’ articulated ‘The Framework for Health Creation’ to advocate for access to facilities, to empower women through swimming sessions and educational workshops. The project also researches the immediate effect of exercise on blood pressure.

Jamia Mosque – orking with Asian men at Jamia Mosque to increase awareness and knowledge of hypertension, hear about what they have learnt and changed to manage their long-term condition. Tailored to meet the needs of the community, sessions are delivered in Urdu, ensuring information is accessible and easy for community members to understand and engage with (video in Urdu with subtitles).

The Resonance Centre – Taking a holistic and trauma informed approach to the prevention of hypertension, through wellbeing programmes and physical activity in the form of 'walk and talk' sessions, hear how ‘The Framework for Health Creation’ has been embedded into trauma informed practice.

Morrisso Health – Using ‘The Framework for Health Creation’ to deliver male gym sessions alongside hypertension awareness and education; hear how this organisation responded to community needs by embedding British Sign Language (BSL) in their project, resulting in the establishment of a BSL community group.

If you would like to know more about the videos or the Long-term Conditions – Health Creation Project, please contact Maqbul Rose – Project Manager at maqbulrose@manchestersettlement.org.uk.