News, Blogs and Events

Evaluating & Undertaking Health Impact Assessments (HIA) 

Salford University has launched registration for a one-day online Health Impact Assessment (HIA) course, developed in collaboration with IEMA. Priced at £110, the course offers excellent value and will run on Wednesday, 15th January 2025, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This training fills a critical gap in HIA education, providing a comprehensive overview for professionals who require more depth than typically covered in brief sessions within Masters programs. Designed for public health, housing, planning, and other public sector roles, as well as external stakeholders engaging with the public sector, the course covers HIA principles, methodology, case studies, and hands-on development. Participants will receive materials, a Certificate of Attendance, and practical insights into integrating HIA findings into decision-making. Further sessions may follow based on demand. Full details and registration are available below. 

Click here to book this course. 

Join Social Value UK’s Lunch and Learn Event 

Social Value UK invites its members to the next lunch and learn event, taking place online on 15th January 2025. These bi-monthly gatherings provide a welcoming space for members to connect, exchange ideas, and advance their understanding of social value practices. 

Designed to foster collaboration across sectors, the events are free for members and guided by an informal, yet purposeful agenda shaped by both Social Value UK and attendees. Whether you're looking to share insights, learn from others, or build meaningful connections, this is an opportunity not to be missed. 

Click here to book your spot. 

Social Impact Accounting Masterclass 

Join the Social Impact Accounting Masterclass on 21st January 2025 in Rochdale, designed for social entrepreneurs and leaders of social enterprises of all sizes and stages. Led by Karen Smith, Director of Turn Up the Value, this hands-on course provides practical tools and knowledge to measure, manage, and celebrate the difference your organisation makes. 

The masterclass introduces a comprehensive social accounting methodology, covering key topics such as understanding social impact and social value, aligning impact with organisational mission and values, mapping outcomes and impact, stakeholder analysis, and effective communication of impact data. Participants will also learn tools for stakeholder consultation, crafting meaningful case studies, and analysing and presenting data. 

Click here to reserve your place. 

A beginner's guide to Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Baha’i 

The Faith Network for Manchester invites participants to a beginner's workshop designed to enhance understanding and relations between diverse communities. Each half-day session, lasting up to three hours, will focus on increasing knowledge of different faiths and beliefs, fostering stronger inter-community relationships, and supporting the NHS Equality Improvement Plan. 

The workshop also includes training to raise awareness of protected characteristic groups and features approved presenters and trainers representing Hinduism, Buddhism, Baha’i, and Jain traditions. 

This is an excellent opportunity to build cultural competency and contribute to a more inclusive society. 

Register for free here. 

Understanding LGBTQ+ monitoring: Data as a tool for change (all staff) 

The LGBT Foundation Training Academy offers a bespoke module for those seeking to enhance their confidence and understanding of LGBT community needs. This interactive, online session provides tools to create positive changes in workplaces by addressing demographic monitoring concerns and exploring the impact of LGBTQ+ inclusive policies. Participants will learn best practices for data collection, discuss its role in improving work, and tackle challenges in policy implementation. The session encourages discussion and offers opportunities for questions throughout. 

Register for free here 

Time: 10:00–12:00 

Wednesday 22nd January 2025 

Working with Vulnerable Adult's Online Roadshow 

Professionals working with vulnerable adults in Greater Manchester are invited to attend an introductory session on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This event is designed to provide valuable insights and information for those in services dedicated to supporting this population. 

Register for free here  

Time: 12 - 13:30 

Register for free here 

The Social Model of Disability: HROD/E&I colleagues 

NHS GM's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) improvement plan emphasises creating a culture where all staff, including disabled colleagues, feel they belong. Following the pilot of the Foundations for Change programme, Breakthrough UK will deliver eight 3-hour courses focused on the Social Model of Disability. Sessions will cover policy, culture, inclusion, co-production, Accessible Information Standards, and barrier removal. The training aims to help staff understand disability models, identify workplace barriers, and foster an open culture for disability declaration, aligning with the NHS EDI Improvement Plan and workforce data needs. 

Register for free here 

A beginner's guide to Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Sikhi 

The Faith Network for Manchester is offering a beginner's workshop to promote greater understanding and cooperation across diverse communities. Each half-day session, lasting up to three hours, is designed to increase participants' knowledge of different faiths and beliefs, improve inter-community relations, and support the NHS Equality Improvement Plan. 

The workshop will also provide training to enhance awareness of protected characteristic groups, with approved presenters and trainers from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhi. 

This is a valuable opportunity to deepen cultural understanding and contribute to building a more inclusive society 

Register for free here. 

Wednesday 29th January 2025 

Evidence Bites! Improving your evidence skills & confidence: Session 1 

Introduction: UKHSA Knowledge & Library Services (KLS) gives you a whistlestop tour of the services they offer to Local Authority Public Health staff. This session will provide an overview of services and resources available and how to access them.  

To register please click here 

Fairer Health for All Fellowship Celebration Event

As the first cohort of the Fairer Health for All Fellowship Programme comes to an end, we would like to invite all interested colleagues to the FHfA Fellowship Programme Cohort 1 Celebration Event to hear about the great work, learning and reflections of our fellows through a series of short presentations.

Time: 12:30pm - 4pm 

Where: Main Hall, Friend's Meeting House, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS 

ANTZ Bitesize: Introduction to Social Value 

ANTZ, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund, is hosting an online session on Thursday, 30th January 2025, to provide a concise introduction to the Social Value Act. This one-hour event will explain the fundamentals of the Act, discuss the importance of social value, and outline the benefits it offers to organizations and communities. 

Designed to deliver valuable insights in an accessible format, this session is ideal for those new to social value or looking to expand their knowledge.  

Click here to reserve your place. 

Monday 3rd February 2025 

FASD Roadshow Online 

Join the FASD Roadshow online and learn more about FASD, connect with others and gain support to drive forward services in your area. There is an opportunity for parents & carers of children and young people with FASD to attend a group FASD advocacy consultation and a coffee morning at the Roadshow. 

Register for free here  

Time: 10:00-13:00 

Trans inclusivity in the workplace (all staff) - With an estimated 1% of the population identifying on the trans spectrum, public-facing organisations are increasingly likely to interact with diverse trans individuals, making it essential for employers to support trans and non-binary staff. NHS GM's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) plan emphasises creating a culture of belonging, especially for LGBTQ+ employees, as shown by the NHS Staff Survey, where one in five LGBTQ+ staff reported violence from patients or relatives. To address these challenges, Gendered Intelligence offers "Trans Awareness: The Basics," a one-hour session that introduces trans-related concepts, legislation, and practices for fostering trans inclusion, followed by a 30-minute interactive Q&A.  

Register for free here 

Changemakers: What Can We Learn from Past Successes? 
Join a panel discussion with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) on 4th February 2025, as part of Race Equality Week. This session will explore the impact of Black British changemakers and discuss how the NHS can better amplify their stories. Topics include the role of health services in advocating for social change, the challenges faced by Black British individuals, and strategies for supporting and elevating these narratives. Linford Sweeney, CEX of Inspired Histories, will lead the discussion. Linford is a Black history researcher, educator, and activist with over 40 years of experience, including working on health inequality within the NHS. 

Register for free here. 

Bolton CVS-What is Social Value and how to make it work for your VCSE. 

Join Bolton CVS on Wednesday, 5th February 2025, at the Bolton Hub for an engaging workshop exploring how voluntary, community, and social enterprise organizations can understand, measure, and leverage social value to unlock new opportunities. This session will cover the importance of articulating social impact, practical methods for measuring it, and an inspiring case study of a local VCSE that successfully used social value to secure contracts. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your organization’s impact—reserve your spot today! 

Click here to reserve your place. 

Faith and Beliefs in the Workplace - An overview for policy makers 

The Faith Network for Manchester is offering the final two workshops in its series, focusing on how to support colleagues who practice a faith or belief in the workplace. Each half-day session will cover key topics such as understanding faith and belief, accommodating religious practices like prayer and attire, recognizing faith-based holidays, and responding to crises. The workshops will also explore the benefits of including faith and belief in the workplace and strengthening the NHS Equality Improvement Plan. Presenters from at least four different faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhi, Buddhism, Baha’i, Jainism, and Rastafarianism, will lead these sessions. 

Register for free here. 

Evidence Bites! Improving your evidence skills & confidence: Session 2 

Accessing evidence: In this session we shall share our librarian secrets, hacks, and top tips for accessing high quality & relevant evidence. Looking at preparing a search question; formulating a search strategy and searching for articles and grey literature.  

To register please click here 

Thursday 20th February 2025 

Faith and Beliefs in the Workplace - An overview for policy makers 

The Faith Network for Manchester is offering the final two workshops in its series, focusing on how to support colleagues who practice a faith or belief in the workplace. Each half-day session will cover key topics such as understanding faith and belief, accommodating religious practices like prayer and attire, recognizing faith-based holidays, and responding to crises. The workshops will also explore the benefits of including faith and belief in the workplace and strengthening the NHS Equality Improvement Plan. Presenters from at least four different faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhi, Buddhism, Baha’i, Jainism, and Rastafarianism, will lead these sessions. 

Register for free here. 

Time: 10:00 – 13:00

Tuesday 25th February 2025 

General Health & Therapies Online Roadshow 

An introduction to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is available for professionals working in general health services across Greater Manchester. This session aims to enhance understanding and awareness of FASD within the healthcare sector. 

Register for free here 

Time: 12:00-13:30

Evidence Bites! Improving your evidence skills & confidence: Session 3 

Appraising evidence: There is now more evidence being produced than ever before – but how do you know that it is high quality and trustworthy? This session will be a guide to quickly and effectively appraising evidence relevant to your role. Includes using toolkits and resources you can print out & keep.  

To register please click here 

Trans inclusivity in the workplace (all staff) - With an estimated 1% of the population identifying on the trans spectrum, public-facing organisations are increasingly likely to interact with diverse trans individuals, making it essential for employers to support trans and non-binary staff. NHS GM's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) plan emphasises creating a culture of belonging, especially for LGBTQ+ employees, as shown by the NHS Staff Survey, where one in five LGBTQ+ staff reported violence from patients or relatives. To address these challenges, Gendered Intelligence offers "Trans Awareness: The Basics," a one-hour session that introduces trans-related concepts, legislation, and practices for fostering trans inclusion, followed by a 30-minute interactive Q&A.  

Register for free here 

Manchester Roadshow 

Join the FASD Roadshow in Manchester and learn more about FASD, connect with others and gain support to drive forward services in your area. There is an opportunity for parents & carers of children and young people with FASD to attend a group FASD advocacy consultation and a coffee morning at the Roadshow. 

Location: International Anthony Burgess Foundation, 3 Cambridge Street Manchester M1 5BY 

Register for free here  

Monday 17th March 2025 

Benefits/DWP/ Citizen Advice Bureau online roadshow 

An introduction to FASD for those working in public services such as citizens advice, DWP & benefit support in Greater Manchester. 

Register for free here  

Time: 12:00-13:30 

The future of local welfare inquiry | The Children's Society

^{The Children's Society has launched an inquiry to gather input from local authorities, the voluntary and community sector, and individuals on the current local welfare and crisis support landscape. With the deadline for responses extended until March, this initiative aims to develop a sustainable vision for future support, focusing on long-term funding to aid individuals and families in financial hardship. Since 2021, the Household Support Fund (HSF) has played a critical role in providing swift interventions, but inconsistent funding has led to regional disparities. This survey seeks to advocate for permanent, ring-fenced funding and a consistent national approach with local flexibility. Your input is vital!} 

Tuesday 8th April 2025 

Join the FASD Roadshow in Stockport and learn more about FASD, connect with others and gain support to drive forward services in your area. There is an opportunity for parents & carers of children and young people with FASD to attend a group FASD advocacy consultation and a coffee morning at the Roadshow. 

Location: Stockport Homes, 2 Edward Street Stockport SK1 3NQ 

Register for free here  

Time: 09:30-12:30

Greater Manchester FASD Network - Brain Base for Children & Families 

Join the Greater Manchester FASD Network for a special 3-day summer Brain Base just for kids with FASD in Greater Manchester! 

Location: Stanley Road, Stanley Road Cheadle Hulme 

Reserve a spot here  

Trans inclusivity in the workplace (all staff) - With an estimated 1% of the population identifying on the trans spectrum, public-facing organisations are increasingly likely to interact with diverse trans individuals, making it essential for employers to support trans and non-binary staff. NHS GM's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) plan emphasises creating a culture of belonging, especially for LGBTQ+ employees, as shown by the NHS Staff Survey, where one in five LGBTQ+ staff reported violence from patients or relatives. To address these challenges, Gendered Intelligence offers "Trans Awareness: The Basics," a one-hour session that introduces trans-related concepts, legislation, and practices for fostering trans inclusion, followed by a 30-minute interactive Q&A.  

Register for free here 

GM Moving Conference 2025 

Be a part of creating healthier, happier, and more active lives for all. Building on the energy and learning from last year's conference, 2025 promises to bring even more insightful stories, practical workshops, and opportunities to connect with those driving positive change.

Participants will collaboratively explore innovative ways to enable active lives for everyone—addressing inequalities, empowering communities, and unlocking the transformative potential of movement. Whether they are policymakers, practitioners, community leaders, or passionate advocates, this is their opportunity to contribute to a growing movement shaping a more active and inclusive future. 

Location: The Lowry, Salford Quays 

 Register Interest for GM Moving Conference 2025 Survey