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Be Well is here to help you find a way to live and feel well whatever twists and turns life brings. We can even help you get on top of work, family and money worries. When you come to Be Well, you’ll be assessed by one of our trained coaches. They’ll talk to you about the help you need and the goals you want to achieve, and set you up with the most appropriate person in the team to get you to where you want to be.
Just call us on 0161 470 7120
Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
Be Well is for anyone who lives in Manchester, or whose GP surgery is based there.
When a medical approach isn’t enough to help you find a way to live and feel well – you can be invited to come to us by a wide range of groups and organisations in your community as well as by local health, housing and advice workers.
When you come to Be Well, you’ll be assessed by one of our trained coaches. They’ll talk to you about the help you need and the goals you want to achieve, and set you up with the most appropriate person in the team to get you to where you want to be.
You’ll then have regular one-to-one sessions – either face-to-face or over the phone. Together with your worker, you will talk through any changes you would like to make in your life; and ways to keep you motivated along your journey.
Through coming to Be Well, you’ll feel motivated to make changes that stick and you’ll have learned some new ways of staying on the right track.
It might be that you have one particular issue that’s central to you. Because Be Well is a partnership of local organisations, we also have coaches who specialise in certain areas:
Our team are based all over Manchester in different places, so you can meet them at the doctors, in a community centre, or even a fire station.
Be Well is a partnership is made up of The Big Life group, Pathways, Citizens’ Advice Manchester, One Manchester, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group and Southways and Northwards Housing.
In addition, nine organisations host our team, to make sure that they’re available in convenient community locations. These are: Barlow Moor Community Association; Benchill Community Centre; BHA For Equality; Ethnic Health Forum; the Gaddum Centre; Healthy Me Healthy Communities; Mind; Old Moat Learning Hub; and the Tree of Life Centre, Mustard Tree, Wai Yin Society, LGBT Foundation, Football Club United of Manchester.
Through topical discussions and workshops, this 8-week peer-led group will work with your strengths to:
Our groups provide a relaxed, supportive, non-judgemental place where, together, we explore what might be making weight management difficult. Working in a strength-based way we help you to find an approach that works for you and fits in with your current lifestyle. Groups are run by skilled and experienced Wellbeing Coaches and Peer Group Facilitators who create a welcoming and relaxed space to help you move towards achieving your weight management goals.
If you’re looking for more structured guidance around food, you may want to try our free 12-week Slimming World voucher.
Alternatively, if you would prefer more focused support around weight management, or you have other personal issues you’d like help with, our one-to-one coaching would be a better fit for you, please see here for more information.
The first session will focus on getting to know each other and finding out more about the topics we will be covering. We will also be looking at how setting SMART goals can help us achieve our long-term goals.
“Be You has helped me to finally accept support, when I decided to join Be You, I instantly felt welcomed, encouraged, and ready to give it a proper go!” Z.B
On week 2 we will start to look at some of the obstacles to weight loss including unhelpful thinking and why we make the choices we do.
“I am finding these sessions so helpful; they are changing the way I think. In the past I would eat something I used to think of as bad and think I’ve ruined it, I’ll give up, and try again later. Now I just accept it and move on and keep going.” J.L
This week Geraldine will be with us, and we will be cooking a healthy meal together! Please note this session may be subject to change.
“I’ve been married forty years and my wife has always done all the cooking, she was amazed I’d been chopping and cooking and she really enjoyed what I’d made.” Alan
This week is a chance to share ideas as we will be discussing the importance of getting more active and incorporating more movement into our everyday lives.
“At week one I couldn’t have imagined being on that court exercising, I feel great” Z.B
A chance to get some exercise, some fresh air and have a good natter!
“I was really nervous about walking after my heart attack but I’m so glad I came, and I can’t wait to show my grandchildren I’ve walked a thousand steps today” John
In this session we will be looking at how the effects of stress and poor sleep can affect how we eat. We look at ways to manage stress and how to get a better night’s sleep.
“I’ve stopped feeling guilty about making time to rest during the day, I’m listening to what I need.” P
In this session we will be getting creative as we look at ways to improve our self – esteem.
“I have learnt to be more confident and prouder of any little achievement or progress I make. I feel more positive, happy and motivated.” Charity
In the final session will be talking about ways that can help us to stay motivated and keep us moving towards achieving our goal.
“The group gave me so much joy. This has been a game changer. I have found myself cooking, walking more, and having more confidence when I saw the weight slowly creeping away. The sessions quickly became the highlight of the week. I would urge you to give it a try and see for yourself!” Z.B
Welcome Centre in Cheetham Hill on Tuesday mornings.
Westcroft Community Centre in Burnage on Tuesday afternoons.
Denmark Road in Ardwick on Wednesday mornings.
If you’re interested and excited to join one of the groups, speak to your health care professional, call us on 0161 470 7120 or email: beyougroups@thebiglifegroup.com.
When you contact us, we’ll gather some information such as your name, address, and contact details so we can register you on our system. Then we’ll arrange for you to have a chat with one of our team where they’ll complete a wellbeing assessment with you and answer any questions you have.
We accept GP referrals for the groups too.
Funded by Manchester City Council, Slimming World vouchers give you 12-weeks free membership of Slimming World’s weight loss groups.
Just hit the vouchers button at the top of this page for details of how to claim this offer. Once you claim the offer you’ll get a special contact number and offer code for Slimming World. Then when you call Slimming World, they will check you meet all the conditions of the offer, answer any questions you have and help you find a group that suits you.
We are currently supporting some fantastic projects with funding from The Manchester Social Prescribing Development Fund.
Find out about the project in your area and how to get involved below.
Venue: Woodhouse Lifestyle Centre, 206 Portway, Wythenshawe, Manchester, M22 1QW
Contact Advantage Dyslexia at alan@advantage-dyslexia.com for more information on how you can get support with a free Dyslexia diagnosis and follow up support.
Six-week mindfulness-based wellbeing course for people managing chronic pain, disability, stress, or chronic illness.
Including meditation, gentle mindful movements and help with energy and fatigue.
Venues and times:
Find out more about this project and how to refer at info@breathworks.co.uk
Venue: Wythenshawe Park, Horticulture Centre, Greenhouse 1
Three days a week access to Blossom premises to socialise and gain practical skills in horticulture. They offer a warm welcome and calm, beautiful green space!
Facilities include quiet spaces with nature, birds, fish, fairy room and insects.
For more information contact Blossom at info@blossom-mcr.co.uk
Venue: The Village Hall, The Great Northern Warehouse, 235 Deansgate, M3 4EN
An introduction to thread journalling with the opportunity to attend additional social sessions.
Using the art of thread to represent and record everyday experiences as miniature stiches. Practicing gratitude whilst developing your stitching skills.
Classes are on Mondays at 6.30pm – 8pm.
Introduction to Thread Journaling Class dates:
13th March; 10th April; 8th May; 19th June
Social dates:
27th March; 24th April; 22nd May; 26th June
Find out more about this project and how to refer at www.evanssent.com/contact
Venue: Fallowfield – Gorton Visual Arts, Collier House, Wellington Street, Gorton, Manchester, M18 8RJ
A variety of taster workshops using creative techniques to support wellbeing and reduce social isolation. Covering textiles, painting, mosaics.
Find out more about this project and how to refer at gortonvisualartsgroup@gmail.com
Venue: Tea Hive, Chorlton, 53 Manchester Road, Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 9PW
Come as you are, you’re welcome here
Mandem Meetup provide:
Find out more about this project and how to refer at themandemmeetup@gmail.com
Venue: The Pankhurst Plot, Chorlton, Manchester, M2 7HH
Support your health and wellbeing with weekly gardening sessions, including sowing seeds and building bug hotels. Connecting with nature, each other and learning new skills.
Find out more about this project and how to refer from nerissa@wearemud.org or call 0745 032 3795.
Venue: Walks start and end at Rainbow Haven, Abbey Hey Lane, Abbey Hey, Manchester.
A supported walking and movement group for refugee and asylum-seeking women. Twelve free movement sessions, exploring outdoor space and supporting wellbeing.
Find out more about this project and how to refer from kati@rainbowhaven.org.uk
Venues:
Fitness and exercise introduction classes to support people’s wellbeing.
Working with a coach sessions are aimed at all fitness levels and can be adapted to support individual needs.
The Head Start program looks at sustainable exercise to help improve health and wellbeing.
Find out more about this project and how to refer from Eddie.owen@salesharks.com
Venues and times:
Community based choirs for all singing abilities!
It’s all about singing together, smiling together and socialising whilst improving your wellbeing and learning new singing skills.
You can just drop-in to any session! Find out more about this project from martinpurdy@talktalk.net
Venue: meals delivered across Manchester
Remaining meals will be delivered to other referrals, including anyone experiencing food poverty or struggling to eat well
Email gemma@crackinggoodfood.org for a referral form or more information.
Venue: Community ‘Lunch & Learns’: Tuesday lunchtimes from 12pm-1pm at Brunswick Church.
For referrals, people can attend the church on the following dates:
Wednesdays from 5th October – 21st December (21st December we will be partnering with the church community to provide a free community festive meal and gathering for all to join).
Volunteering Opportunities
What you will learn:
What we will appreciate help with:
Get in touch: amanda@crackinggoodfood.org
Venue: Across Central & North Manchester
Read Easy are supporting adults in Central and North Manchester to improve their literacy skills by offering free one-to-one confidential reading support.
Learners are partnered with a Reading Coach to provide flexible support to help them develop their reading skills.
Find out more about this project and how to refer at – mcnnetworker@readeasy.org.uk
Venue: Zion Community Resource Centre, 339 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 4ZY
GMESS supports people affected by long-term inflammatory skin conditions, to improve their physical, emotional, and social lives, through improvements to self-care.
This includes:
Find out more about this project and how to refer at – support@gmess.org.uk
Venue: Deliveries across Manchester.
Humans use a food redistribution network to source good quality food at a reduced price and can deliver these directly to your door!
Packages include fruit and veg, cupboard stables and ambient goods and occasionally fresh meat and fish protein prepared meals.
Fees: There is a yearly membership fee of £5.
Weekly grocery charges depend on your household size:
Find out more about this project at: info.humansmcr.org
Venue: Parthian Climbing Centre, St Benedict’s Church, Bennett Street, West Gorton, Manchester, M12 5ND
Climbing Calm is a social prescribing programme for adults in Manchester, using rock climbing to develop new tools to cope with life’s challenges.
The programme is aimed at adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties or anyone who needs a little extra support and delivered by a specialist team of rock-climbing instructors and a clinical psychologist.
You can learn a new skill, build resilience and coping skills, and manage your mental health through climbing. Sessions take place on Friday evenings at Parthian Climbing Centre in Manchester and run for 6 weeks.
Self-refer at: https://sprw.io/stt-a0bb421478 and you’ll receive an email inviting you to book onto the next available block.
Venue: 422 Community Hub, 422 Stockport Road, Longsight, M12 4EX
A 12-week employment support programme for 18 – 25 years olds from Black, Asian and ethnic minority groups.
This program focuses on
strengthening employability skills and building confidence to help you prepare to be work-ready!
You will explore topics such as:
Find out more about this project and how to refer at – info@alchemyarts.co.uk
Venue: Zion Community Resource Centre, Hulme / Southern Allotments, Chorlton
Manchester Mind are offering gardening and cooking groups to support well-being for those living with mental health issues.
Gardening Groups – Led by experienced gardeners, mental health professionals and volunteers. The group is focused on growing organic vegetables and flowers in beautiful natural surroundings, relaxation and building peer relationships.
Cooking Groups – Led by experienced cooks, mental health professionals and volunteers. The group is focused on using the vegetables produced at the allotment to cook nutritious meals whilst having fund and building peer relationships.
Find out more about this project at: foodforall@manchestermind.org
Refer online at: Manchester Mind
Venue: Moston and surrounding areas.
A creative walking and talking photography project for Men to support with mental health and wellbeing. The Artist will lead creative walks in chosen locations, equipping people with photography skills to document their neighbourhood. It will be an opportunity to explore the relationship between green space and mental health and wellbeing, finding visual representations in natural environments to reflect this.
Find out more about this project and how to refer at – steve@sickfestival.com / 07949546135
