Introduction
Greater Manchester Walking, commonly known as GM Walking, is a regional initiative that encourages people across Greater Manchester to walk and wheel more regularly for travel, recreation, health and well-being.
Managed by GM Moving, the initiative provides community grants, walking resources, local-route information and support for organizations seeking to incorporate walking and wheeling into their activities.
History and Background
GM Walking was developed as part of Greater Manchester’s wider movement to increase physical activity and create healthier, more accessible communities.
Since 2019, GM Walking and its partners have invested in voluntary, community and social enterprise organizations delivering locally designed walking projects. Its approach recognizes that walking is affordable and accessible for many people but that health, mobility, confidence, safety and environmental barriers can prevent regular participation.
The initiative has gradually expanded its emphasis from walking to walking and wheeling, making its programs more inclusive of people using wheelchairs, mobility aids or pushchairs.
Mission and Purpose
GM Walking supports Greater Manchester’s ambition to enable more people to walk and wheel routinely for travel, pleasure, personal well-being and environmental benefit.
Its main objectives include:
- Increasing physical activity among less-active residents.
- Improving physical and mental health.
- Reducing social isolation.
- Making walking and wheeling more inclusive.
- Supporting active travel to schools, workplaces and services.
- Strengthening community organizations and volunteer networks.
- Promoting safer and more accessible public spaces.
- Encouraging environmentally sustainable travel.
The initiative contributes to GM Moving’s wider goal of creating Active Lives for All.
Governance and Structure
GM Walking is not an independent charity or grantmaking foundation. It is a program managed by GM Moving, Greater Manchester’s movement for physical activity and sport.
Its activities are delivered through partnerships involving:
- Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership.
- Local authorities across Greater Manchester’s ten boroughs.
- Voluntary, community and social enterprise organizations.
- 10GM.
- Salford Community and Voluntary Services.
- Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation.
- Transport, healthcare and public-health partners.
- Local walking groups and community volunteers.
The GM Walking Festival is overseen by a steering group convened by GM Moving and shaped by participating community organizations.
Funding and Grants
The principal grantmaking initiative is the GM Walking and Wheeling Fund. It supports voluntary, community and social enterprise organizations delivering projects that encourage inactive or less-active people to walk or wheel regularly.
The Fund has received investment from the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership and has previously been supported by partners including 10GM, Salford CVS and GMCVO.
For the 2026–2027 funding round, two grant levels are available:
- Small grants of up to £2,000 for pilot projects.
- Medium grants of up to £7,000 for larger initiatives.
The application deadline is 12:00 p.m. on 4 September 2026, with funded projects expected to conclude by the end of May 2027.
Applicants should confirm all dates and conditions through the official webpage before applying.
Funding Priorities and Eligibility
The Fund is primarily available to VCSE organizations working in Greater Manchester.
Projects must help people who are normally inactive or less active increase the amount they walk or wheel. Priority communities may include:
- Women and girls.
- People aged over 65.
- People with disabilities.
- Individuals with long-term health conditions.
- People from diverse ethnic communities.
- Residents of lower-income areas.
- People experiencing social isolation.
- Communities facing barriers to public spaces.
Projects connected with local health services, GP practices, social-prescribing programs, family centres and care organizations are particularly encouraged.
Eligible Activities
Grant-supported activities may include:
- Establishing community walking or wheeling groups.
- Organizing accessible or culturally appropriate walks.
- Recruiting and training walking champions.
- Encouraging active travel to schools and workplaces.
- Developing activities for wheelchair and mobility-aid users.
- Connecting walking programs with health services.
- Providing safe indoor or alternative walking activities.
- Promoting local routes and green spaces.
- Reducing barriers related to confidence, safety or isolation.
- Supporting activities during winter months.
Major Programs and Initiatives
GM Walking Festival
The GM Walking Festival takes place each May as part of National Walking Month. It brings together free and accessible walks organized by local groups across Greater Manchester.
Participants can search for walks based on:
- Location and distance.
- Difficulty level.
- Wheelchair accessibility.
- Pushchair suitability.
- Public-transport connections.
- Nearby facilities.
The Festival includes nature walks, heritage routes, well-being activities and walks designed for particular communities.
Support for Walk Organizers
GM Walking provides resources to help community groups design, promote and manage walking activities.
Available support includes:
- Walking-route information.
- Guidance for establishing groups.
- Promotional materials.
- Accessibility considerations.
- Volunteer resources.
- Walking-to-school information.
- GM Daily Mile resources.
- Examples from successful community projects.
GM Walking Voice
GM Walking Voice is a network of organizations advocating for walking and wheeling to be reflected in transport policy, urban planning, health strategies and public-space design.
The network promotes streets and neighbourhoods that are safe, accessible and welcoming for people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Walking and Active Travel
GM Walking works within the broader GM Moving strategy to encourage walking for everyday journeys. This includes walking or wheeling to:
- Public-transport stops.
- Schools and workplaces.
- Shops and healthcare facilities.
- Parks and community centres.
- Social and cultural activities.
Increasing active travel can improve health, reduce traffic congestion and contribute to environmental goals.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
GM Walking has provided grants to almost 90 local voluntary and community organizations. Nearly half of the earlier successful applicants were located in the most disadvantaged 20% of Greater Manchester.
During 2022–2023, the Walking and Wheeling Fund:
- Distributed almost £100,000.
- Supported 39 organizations.
- Helped more than 1,500 people walk or wheel more regularly.
During 2023–2024, it invested approximately £95,000 in 38 projects. At least 1,440 participants reportedly increased their walking or wheeling.
Reported outcomes included:
- Improved fitness and physical health.
- Greater confidence.
- Better mental well-being.
- Reduced pain among people with health conditions.
- Lower levels of social isolation.
- Increased volunteer participation.
- Greater membership and visibility for community groups.
Funded activities have included pram walks for new parents, forest bathing, local-route podcasts, disability-inclusive sessions and programs connected with healthcare providers.
Conclusion
Greater Manchester Walking helps communities use walking and wheeling to improve health, inclusion, mobility and social connection. Through grants, festivals, practical resources and strategic partnerships, the initiative supports locally designed activities that reach people facing barriers to physical activity.
Although GM Walking is not an independent foundation, its Walking and Wheeling Fund provides valuable grants to eligible VCSE organizations across Greater Manchester.
For more information, visit here.
