The Big Life group

Today is #SocialPrescribingDay! Social prescribing is making a huge difference in Salford and turning people's lives around. Read and watch some of the moving, honest stories from the people we have worked with through the #WellbeingMatters partnership programme. https://bit.ly/3FGn8Bm

We’re fortunate to have a board that brings a wealth of experience, insight, and passion to everything we do. Their leadership and strategic vision help Big Life to create opportunities and inspire change in the communities we serve. One of those board members is Edward Gale, who has been with us since 2020. We caught up with Ed to hear more about his work, his role on the board, and how being part of the Big Life family has shaped him… 👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dTxaqGNw #governance #boards #trustees #quality #leadership #biglifegroup

Having recently completed her Level 4 PR and Communications apprenticeship with The Big Life group, Niamh Horner shares her experience of combining real-world experience with in-depth studying. Working as part of our Communications Team to support the wider group, Niamh has been doing everything from content creation to administration, copywriting and event planning - in her own words, no two days have been the same! 💜 Read all about Niamh's apprenticeship journey here: https://lnkd.in/eqxRsSyn #NationalApprenticeshipWeek #NAW2025 #Apprenticeships #Communications #TheBigLifeGroup

Kasey Anderson was just 24 when he was murdered by his girlfriend.  His family, devastated by his death, have turned their grief into a powerful call for change. Through telling their lived experience, they want to ensure no one else suffers domestic abuse in silence.  Our Big Life team in Liverpool had the privilege of hearing about Kasey firsthand. With them, we walked through his local fishing spot, visited the memorial garden his father had built, and went to Goodison Park, the home of his beloved football team. We saw the deep impact his loss has left behind on the many, many people who loved him.   Working with Liverpool City Council and The Paul Lavelle Foundation, we created a film documenting Kasey’s life and legacy. It was first shared with commissioners and service providers in Liverpool to challenge misconceptions about male domestic abuse. Now, a shorter version is being shown publicly to keep this vital conversation going. Since the video’s first release, The Domestic Abuse Partnership Board has taken critical steps to integrate male domestic abuse into its wider strategy. Frontline workers are being trained to ask the right questions and provide the right support, ensuring men suffering in silence feel heard. The Paul Lavelle Foundation has also launched a new satellite service to support male survivors in the Liverpool area. Kasey’s story is a stark reminder that abuse doesn’t discriminate. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t wait – reach out 💙 📞 Paul Lavelle Foundation: 01512944176  📞 Respect Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 https://lnkd.in/eDxuawQM Sarah Evans #domesticviolence #livedexperience #workingtogether #liverpool #maledomesticabuse #thebiglifegroup

Supported to make a BIG difference: Meet Karen Clarke.  With over 20 years of experience as a public sector project manager, Karen Clarke joined Big Life to lead the Co-occurring Conditions Project. Commissioned by NHS Greater Manchester, the project focuses on improving services for people facing both mental health challenges and substance misuse issues. Along with a wealth of experience working in areas related to inequalities, Karen’s own journey has been shaped by resilience and determination. From facing barriers in education and dealing with disability, her experiences of adversity inspire Karen’s desire to make a difference and the importance of having people support you:  “The Big Life group is the best organisation I’ve ever worked for. You’ll always have support – both professionally and personally!” “When I was a teenager, I was expelled from two schools and didn’t go to university until I was 26…I’ve never forgotten what it felt like to be alienated by the education system – or the impact The Manchester Metropolitan University’s belief in my potential had on me. These experiences have shaped how I work to this day." 🪴 At Big Life, our collaborative culture and dedication to staff wellbeing ensure that change-makers like Karen never feel unsupported or alone. We are committed to supporting our employees so they can, in turn, support those who need our services and help people improve their lives.  💜 Learn more about Karen and her Big Life experience: https://lnkd.in/eAmhVt8z

We're incredibly proud to have Liam S. as a member of our board and our Vice Chair. Congratulations on the well-deserved recognition!

Unlock the power of health coaching with our accredited training! 🦸♂️ Learn how to promote self-management, build trust, and create personalised health plans. Our February and March courses are open for enrolment – contact us today to reserve your place: training@thebiglifegroup.com.

📣 We're keen to talk to values-led non-profit organisations who are interested in delivering services in the probation sector, ahead of the intended Ministry of Justice recommissioning of the CRS in 2025. Big Life is currently a lead provider of probation CRS services, leading a partnership of 14 VCSE providers to deliver the Greater Manchester Integrated Rehabilitative Service. Our offer includes wellbeing hubs, coaching, and community link working across all of Greater Manchester's local authorities. We also work in prisons across the North West, providing mental health services, training, addictions in-reach and at the gate services, as well as providing addictions support to people on probation. We will be issuing an expression of interest in the coming months and are keen to talk to any other potential lead bidders or partners in the North of England before we do. If this sounds like something your organisation would like to chat to us about, visit our website to get in touch: https://lnkd.in/egFG-_Mb

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at The Big Life group! As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who has been part of The Big Life journey this year—our amazing staff and volunteers, our partners, our service users and all of the communities we serve. Together, we've come a long way, and we're excited for what 2025 holds Here’s to kindness, connection, and supporting one another 💜

We have recently published our third Research and Evaluation Annual Report! 🙌 Since our inaugural report, we have made significant strides in embedding research and evaluation into our mission and purpose – to help people improve their lives. Some highlights are: 🧾 Evidence-Based Excellence: Our service delivery is informed by research. As we continue to innovate in the Big Life Way, our aim of building a solid evidence base for our work remains consistent. 📖 Becoming a Learning Organisation: Through our Research, Learning, and Development (RLD) programme of webinars, our teams and staff update their knowledge on key topics, ensuring they stay at the forefront of their fields. 🎓 Academic Contributions: We’ve an expanding record of published work, strengthening our reputation as a credible and influential third-sector organisation. 🤝 Partnerships and Collaboration: By teaming with UK and international researchers, we address gaps in UK-specific studies while advancing trauma-informed and digital health services, reinforcing our role as a third-sector leader driving impactful progress.   Of course, we have big ambitions for the future. From further research and publications of key initiatives, we are continuing to push for equality of opportunity for third-sector organisations in research. Our research and evaluation priorities, backed by strong frameworks, will enhance our services and shape delivery. We’re not only committed to advancing the Big Life Way but driving meaningful change for all 💜 Find our full report here: https://lnkd.in/dRK65vsJ