The Wellbeing Service (GMIRS)

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Big Life is the coordinating service for a successful local partnership of third sector organisations working across Greater Manchester to deliver The Wellbeing Service. 

This service works in local communities across Greater Manchester with people on probation. People access the service via a referral from a probation worker. Anyone currently engaging with the probation system can access our service for free, at locations that suit them.

When someone accesses the service, they receive tailored support that’s designed to match with their aspirations and help them meet their goals. This includes supporting service users with emotional regulation and decision making; wellbeing support and healthy choices; behaviour change; family support and mediation; and finance, debt and benefit advice.

Our goal is to give people more opportunities, tools and positive relationships, meaning that the likelihood of re-engaging with probation services again the future is reduced. The service focuses on providing trauma-informed support that prioritises people’s strengths and aspirations, as we believe this gives people the greatest opportunity to move forward positively.

Although we can provide a wide range of practical support, where we can’t do something ourselves, we’ll work with a person to find the best local organisation to help them.

The service is a partnership comprising local organisations, meaning that when people work with us, they’ll benefit from our in-depth local knowledge and convenient locations. Our mission is to make sure that people have all the tools, information and support they need to succeed while on probation.

If you are a Greater Manchester organisation who works with people on probation, and you want to find out more about how you can work alongside the service please contact Lucy Rodgers.

Weekly drop-in sessions are available to all PoPs referred to our service by probation officers. For further enquiries please email: steve@boltoncommunityadvice.org.

Mondays

10.30 -12.30pm

Debt Counselling 
Professional debt advice delivered by The Bridge, Bolton

Tuesdays

10-2pm

Employability, Education & Volunteering 
Help with finding opportunities, CV development, 1 to 1 assistance in applying for work, education courses and volunteering 

Wednesdays

10.30-12.30pm

Digital Skills Help 
Access to free sim cards and data. Using devices, getting online, developing digital skills. 
Delivered by Bolton Digital, Employment & Skills Team.

Thursdays

9.30am-2.30pm

Food poverty drop-in  
Access to food parcels for eligible referred candidates, on assessment.

Fridays

10am-2pm

Benefits advice drop-in 
Benefits help, signposting and guidance 
Delivered with assistance from the DWP. 

From 7 August – 28 September 

The Hub 131 Rochdale Road, Bury, BL9 7BA 

*To participate in any of the activity sessions please speak to your Support Worker* 

Linzi – 07543 311624 / linzi.mcewing@stepping-stone.org.uk 

Sophie – 07543 311626 / sophie.jones@stepping-stone.org.uk 

Mondays

9.30-10.30am

Food bank drop-in (bring your own bag)

10.30am-2.30pm (Monday 7 August onwards)

MAKEFULNESS MONDAYS
(art for mental health and wellbeing)

10.30am – 2.30pm

(free lunch provided)

Tuesdays

9.30-10.30am

Food bank drop-in (bring your own bag)

Wednesdays

9.30-10.30am        

Food bank drop-in (bring your own bag)

10.30am from Wednesday 9 August

MAKE AND TAKE
(cook/bake and take the food home)

Thursdays

9.30-10.30am

Food bank drop-in (bring your own bag)

12pm onwards

Nature walks

  • August 10th – Peel Tower
  • August 17th – Moses Gate Country Park
  • August 24th – Healey Dell
  • August 31st – Jumbles Country Park
  • September 7th – Bolton Art Gallery, Museum
  • September 14th – Hollingworth Lake
  • September 21st – Barrow Bridge and Moss Bank Park
  • September 28th – Heaton Park

Our Manchester hub is located at Back on Track, 4th Floor Swan Buildings, 20 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JW.

Tuesdays

9:45am-12:45pm

Learn the Ukulele

Learn how to play the Ukulele in 7 weeks. Learn some popular songs and try writing your own with others in the group. No musical experience is required and instruments will be provided.

9:45am-12:45pm

Temporary Art (Starts 12th September for 6 weeks)

Each week you will make a new piece of art that will only exist temporarily. By focussing on the process of making we can experiment and play, whilst noticing how it feels to make art, rather than how the final piece looks.

9:45am-12:45pm

Digital Nature

Explore the wonders of the natural world through technology. Work as a group to create a shared digital journal to log all your findings. If you are confident with your smart phone, bring it along.

1:15-4:15pm

Creative Writing

Learn to create your own poems, and have fun doing so! This course is open to everyone, from complete beginners to those who have tried creative writing before.

Wednesdays

9:45-12:45pm

Music Through the Ages (Starts 13th September for 6 weeks)

Explore the 50 year history of the Royal Northern College of Music. Discover the hidden instrument museum and learn about famous Manchester musicians and their stories.

9:45-12:45pm

Core Skills for Cookery 

Find your way around a kitchen with confidence. This course provides the core skills needed to get cooking. Master weekday meals, simple soups, and delicious desserts.

1:15-4:15pm

Plan Your Next Steps
Find out how to take action on the issues you feel strongly about. Get involved in local campaigns to voice your opinions and make a difference.

1:15-4:15pm

Digital Skills Sessions

Ready to plan your next steps? Get started with these workshops including CVs, applications forms, where to search for opportunities and more. Have time to use the computers for your own planning and meet local providers with different opportunities.

1:15-4:15pm

Back on Track’s Book Club 

Our weekly reading group, led by volunteers.

Thursdays

9:45am-12:45pm

Step Into Maths (14-week course)

Make a start on improving your numeracy skills. Suitable for those working at Entry 1 or 2.

1:15-4:15pm

Maths Functional Skills Qualification (20-week course leading to a full qualification)

Take your numeracy skills to the next level and work towards a nationally recognised qualification in Maths at Entry Level 3.

9.45am-2pm

Allotment and Gardening Sessions 

Weekly growing sessions at a local community allotment. Plant and harvest seasonal food and improve the space for everyone to enjoy. Find out how to become a volunteer with the Lalley Centre at course end.

9:45am-12:45pm

Ready Steady Go! 

Are you ready for a change? Identify your goals for the year ahead in this personal development course. Topics include self-esteem, resilience, and overcoming challenges.

1:15-4:15pm

Digital Skills: From Zero to Hero!

This course is all about developing digital skills to help us in everyday life, such as making appointments, managing wellbeing, staying entertained and finding information. Suitable for beginner learners.

Fridays

9:45am-12:45pm

Step Into English (14-week course)

Make a start on improving your literacy skills. Suitable for those working at Entry 1 or 2.

1:45-4:15pm

English next steps (14-week course)

Take your writing and reading skills to the next level. Suitable for those working at Entry 3 and above.

9:45am-12:45pm

Easy as pie! A cookery course for intermediate learners

Advance your culinary skills in this pie-making course for autumn. Make a series of pastries and fillings from scratch, and experiment with vegan and vegetarian options. Find out about our kitchen placement and training programme at the end of the course.

9:45am-12:45pm

Bursting with colour (13 week art course, starts Friday 15th September)

Develop a deeper understanding of colour and how it is used in art. You will learn new techniques and have time to research ideas for your final piece. Build a portfolio of art work in this longer course.

1:15-4:15pm

Guitar Group

Master the basics, play songs together as a group, and even take part in an end of course performance. Suitable for mixed ability levels. Bring along your guitar or use one of ours.

Mondays

9am-12pm

Informal drop-in at Rochdale Connections Trust

9am-2pm

Community Café and Drop In at Reaching Out Centre

12.30pm-2.30pm

Haven at Rochdale Connections Trust
A DA support group for those whose children do not live with them.

6.30pm

Narcotics Anonymous at Reaching Out Centre

Tuesdays

9am-12pm

Informal drop-in at Rochdale Connections Trust

12.30pm-2.30pm

Gamechanger at Rochdale Connections Trust

Wednesdays

9am-12pm

Informal drop-in at Rochdale Connections Trust

10am-12pm

Parenting Programme (Respectful Relationships Programme) at Rochdale Connections Trust

1pm-3pm

Walking Group at Rochdale Connections Trust

3pm-6pm

Warm Space Drop-In at Rochdale Connections Trust

4pm-6pm

Men’s Group at Reaching Out Centre

5.30pm-7.30pm

Caring Dads (Male Perpetrator Programme) at Rochdale Connections Trust

Thursdays

9am-12pm

Informal drop-in at Rochdale Connections Trust

9.30am-12.30pm

Free From Harm (Female DA programme) at Rochdale Connections Trust

1pm-3pm

Walking Group at Rochdale Connections Trust

1pm-3pm

Flourish programme (Health awareness) at Rochdale Connections Trust

4pm-6pm

Women’s Group at Reaching Out Centre

3pm-6pm

Warm Space Drop-In at Rochdale Connections Trust

All day at (referral only) at Reaching Out Centre

Combination Learning – Counselling Skills (Acorn Recovery)

Fridays

9am-12pm

Informal drop-in at Rochdale Connections Trust

9am-2pm

Community Café and Drop In at Reaching Out Centre

10am-12pm

Next Steps (Employability, Training, Education) at Rochdale Connections Trust

12.30pm-2.30pm

Phoenix (DA Support Group) at Rochdale Connections Trust

Saturdays

10am

Breakfast Club at Rochdale Connections Trust

10am-3pm

HHH activity programme for families at Rochdale Connections Trust

6.30pm 

Narcotics anonymous

Sundays

10am-12pm

Breakfast at Reaching Out Centre 

The following activities are available at Salford Foundation – The Shed. 

Mondays

9am-12pm

Drop in 1-1 / Appointments

1-4pm

Woodcraft / DIY 

Tuesdays

9am-12pm

PCT Counselling

1-4pm

Upcycling, DIY, Digital Skills   

Wednesdays

9am-12pm

Drop in 1-1/Appointments

1-4pm

Sports Indoor League  

Thursdays

9am-12pm

Employability Skills

1-4pm

Bicycle repair&maintenance/ DIY/ Eco Garden Project   

Friday

9am-4pm

New referral appointments  

Mondays

AM and PM

Support session/one to one workshop – appointment only.

Tuesdays

AM

Support session/one to one workshop – appointment only.

1-3pm (First Tuesday of every month)

Managing emotions group session

1-3pm (Third Tuesday of every month)

Managing emotions group session

Mental wellbeing awareness group session

Wednesdays

11am-12.30pm (First Wednesday of every month)

Healthy relationship group session

11am-12.30pm (First Wednesday of every month)

Self- esteem group session

PM

Support session/one to one workshop – appointment only.

Thursdays

AM and PM

Support session/one to one workshop – appointment only.

Fridays

AM and PM

Support session/one to one workshop – appointment only.

Monday

Weekly: 10am-1pm

Women’s 1:1

This time is reserved for GM Welfare and other IRS services to have one-to-ones for women only.

Tuesday

Every week: AM

Co-location

Every Tuesday morning services will be co-located to introduce clients to the other IRS services.  If you would like space to meet one of your clients please contact kirsty.greenwood@thebiglifegroup.com

Every week: PM

Jobs Club

(Referral to GM – ETE)

Jobs clubs is for people on probation to use participant laptops for job search and job applications.  The Key Worker for Trafford is Catherine who will be in the hub to support GM ETE participants on the 4th Thursday of the month.

Wednesday

Week 2 and 4: 1.30-3.30pm

Wellbeing Hub

The second and fourth Wednesday various services will be in attendance at the Wellbeing Hub.  Clients can attend the hub once they have been referred to the GM Welfare Hub.  If a referral for the hub isn’t needed you can bring/meet clients here.

For a list of services attending please contact kirsty.greenwood@thebiglifegroup.com

Thursdays

Week 1 and 3: 10-11.30am

Coffee and a chat

This is a safe space for clients to come and have a chat and a brew.  If you would like to bring your clients down to view the space and me the team please let us know.

A referral to the GM Welfare Service is required unless you are meeting/bringing your client to view the space.

Weekly: PM

1:1  appointments

This time is reserved for GM Welfare and other IRS services to have one-to-ones.

Fridays

Weekly: All day

1:1  appointments

This time is reserved for GM Welfare and other IRS services to have one-to-ones.

Mondays

Women’s service

The GM Welfare Hub team will be available to discuss any possible referrals or to do a warm handover to clients.

Tuesdays

1:1 sessions with clients

Wednesdays

Every week: 2-4pm

Sport-based Education

Improve your physical health and mental wellbeing. Spiel – in partnership with UA92 – are offering a football focused education course covering:

  • Diet and nutrition
  • Exercise (aerobic and anaerobic)
  • Develop coping mechanisms
  • Build confidence
  • Communication skills
  • Problem solve
  • Decision making

Please email kirsty.greenwood@thebiglifegroup.com for more information.

Week 1: 10am-1pm

Creative arts

A facilitated session with a local artist looking at how creativity can support wellbeing, and an opportunity to try creative activities to boost confidence

Week 2: 1-2pm

Talking Therapies taster

Talking Therapies Manchester will be delivering taster workshops every month.  July will start with a stress taster, August will be a sleep taster, and September will be stress taster.

Stress Taster workshop ‘Improving Stressful Day’ – Our Improving Stressful Days taster Workshop will look at giving attendees a better understanding of stress, why we experience it and how we can manage it.

Sleep Taster workshop ‘Sleep Well’ – Through the Sleeping Well taster workshop we’ll talk about how to manage things that stop you from sleeping well, and how making some changes may improve your sleep as well as your overall wellbeing.

Week 3: 10am-1pm

Creative arts

A facilitated session with a local artist looking at how creativity can support wellbeing, and an opportunity to try creative activities to boost confidence.

Week 4: 10am-1pm

Stress, wellbeing and resilience

A facilitated session looking at how we experience and manage stress and our wellbeing and resilience. A chance to consider the concept of Trauma and how past events may impact our wellbeing.

Thursdays

Week 1: 12-1.30pm

Wellbeing hub

The first and Third Thursday various services will be in attendance at the Wellbeing Hub.  Clients can attend the hub once they have been referred to the GM Welfare Hub.  If a referral for the hub isn’t needed you can bring/meet clients here.

For a list of services attending please contact kirsty.greenwood@thebiglifegroup.com

Week 2: 1-4pm

Co-location

The second and fourth Thursday services will be co-located to introduce clients to the other IRS services.  If you would like space to meet one of your clients please contact kirsty.greenwood@thebiglifegroup.com

Week 3: 12-1.30pm

Wellbeing Hub

The first and Third Thursday various services will be in attendance at the Wellbeing Hub.  Clients can attend the hub once they have been referred to the GM Welfare Hub.  If a referral for the hub isn’t needed you can bring/meet clients here.

For a list of services attending please contact kirsty.greenwood@thebiglifegroup.com

Week 4: 10am-12pm

Jobs Club

(Referral to GM – ETE)

Jobs clubs is for people on probation to use participant laptops for job search and job applications.  The Key Worker for Trafford is Catherine who will be in the hub to support GM ETE participants on the 4th Thursday of the month.

Week 4: 1-4pm

Co-location: GM Welfare, Achieve NW

The second and fourth Thursday services will be co-located to introduce clients to the other IRS services.  If you would like space to meet one of your clients please contact kirsty.greenwood@thebiglifegroup.com

Fridays

Every week: 1-3pm

Sport-based Education

Improve your physical health and mental wellbeing. Spiel – in partnership with UA92 – are offering a football focused education course covering:

  • Diet and nutrition
  • Exercise (aerobic and anaerobic)
  • Develop coping mechanisms
  • Build confidence
  • Communication skills
  • Problem solve
  • Decision making

Please email kirsty.greenwood@thebiglifegroup.com for more information.

1:1 sessions with clients

Mondays

Every week

One-to-ones

Roots to Wellbeing

This is a 10 week programme that is ran twice a week.  A programme ran by our partner Groundworks.  Roots to Wellbeing is a free 10 week programme in Wigan and Leigh. It helps you to improve your health, your wellbeing and your chances of finding work.

Princes Trust

This is a 12-week programme which is ran everyday.  A programme ran by our partner Groundworks that supports people aged 16-25 to get their life back on track by trying new experiences, gaining work experience and meeting new people.

Tuesdays

Every week

Roots to Wellbeing

This is a 10 week programme that is ran twice a week.  A programme ran by our partner Groundworks.  Roots to Wellbeing is a free 10 week programme in Wigan and Leigh. It helps you to improve your health, your wellbeing and your chances of finding work.

Princes Trust

This is a 12-week programme which is ran everyday.  A programme ran by our partner Groundworks that supports people aged 16-25 to get their life back on track by trying new experiences, gaining work experience and meeting new people.

Week 1 and 3: 12.30-2.30pm

Wellbeing Hub

The first and Third Tuesday various services will be in attendance at the Wellbeing Hub.  Clients can attend the hub once they have been referred to the GM Welfare Hub.  If a referral for the hub isn’t needed you can bring/meet clients here. (please check dates)

For a list of services attending please contact kirsty.greenwood@thebiglifegroup.com

Week 2 and 4

One-to-ones

Wednesdays

Every week: AM

One-to-ones

Princes Trust

This is a 12-week programme which is ran everyday.  A programme ran by our partner Groundworks that supports people aged 16-25 to get their life back on track by trying new experiences, gaining work experience and meeting new people.

Every week: PM

Group TBC

Thursdays

Every week: AM and PM

One-to-ones

Princes Trust

This is a 12-week programme which is ran everyday.  A programme ran by our partner Groundworks that supports people aged 16-25 to get their life back on track by trying new experiences, gaining work experience and meeting new people.

 

Fridays

Every week: AM

One-to-ones

Princes Trust

This is a 12-week programme which is ran everyday.  A programme ran by our partner Groundworks that supports people aged 16-25 to get their life back on track by trying new experiences, gaining work experience and meeting new people.

Every week: PM

Group TBC

Access:

The service is delivered in community hubs in each local authority in Greater Manchester. Please contact lucy.rodgers@thebiglifegroup.com to find out more.