City and United stars back #BeeWell

22 Nov 2021

Foden, Lingard and Toone back our survey of young people’s wellbeing with the Anna Freud Centre and Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Greater Manchester’s #BeeWell programme – a collaboration between our University, the Anna Freud Centre and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority – has now seen more than 20,000 wellbeing surveys completed by young people across the city region.

#BeeWell aims to survey young people’s wellbeing and bring about positive change with the results.

Excitement surrounding the wellbeing programme is increasing with Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard and Ella Toone giving the programme their support and calling on as many young people as possible to take part by Friday, 3 December.

More than 200 secondary schools across Greater Manchester have agreed to take part in the programme, including more than 90% of mainstream schools in the city region.

The survey was co-created by 150 young people and quality assured by academics. With two weeks remaining for schools to take part, it is already set to be the UK’s biggest survey of young people of its kind.

Using the results of the survey, #BeeWell will work with partners across the city region, from sports clubs to arts organisations to the voluntary and community sector, to create opportunities to focus on and improve young people’s wellbeing.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “I’m delighted to see that so many young people have engaged with our ground-breaking #BeeWell survey which remains open for another two weeks. Whether you think Greater Manchester is red or blue, we will make sure that all our young people’s voices are heard and acted on. Together we will work with young people to celebrate and improve their wellbeing across all of our communities.”

Janice Allen, Head Teacher at Falinge Park High School, said: “Listening to the voices of young people is vital to help shape our future policy and practice. Addressing how we can support mental health is not just something we should do coming out of the pandemic. This is why the #Beewell work provides us with an opportunity to be committed over the next couple of years to acting, not just talking, about children and young people's mental health and wellbeing."

David Gregson, Chair of the #BeeWell Advisory Board, said: “I’d like to thank all the schools, charities, businesses, sports and cultural organisations, researchers and policy makers across Greater Manchester for coming together in support of young people across the city region. Only by measuring wellbeing consistently, and listening to the voices of all young people wherever they are, can we make their wellbeing everyone’s business.”