About Greater Manchester Moving

Greater Manchester Moving is GM’s movement for movement working together to positively change the lives of people across Greater Manchester (GM) through physical activity and sport. As people, communities and organisations, from every sector and place across the city region, pulling in the same direction, united by a shared passion and commitment for what we do, why we do it and how we do it.

Our shared mission is to enable active lives for all.  

Our shared commitments, priorities and approach are set out in ‘GM Moving in Action’ our strategy for the next decade, 2021-31.

Why moving matters

We are all designed to move. But our modern world is designed and organised to keep us sitting still.

Evidence shows us that physical activity and sport contributes to our physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, social and community development, economic development and individual development. Moving more is key to enabling good lives for all. 

Moving is ‘A miracle pill’ for everyone

By moving more, we can live happier and healthier lives, enable our communities, places and economy to thrive, and will contribute to a more sustainable city region.

Whether we walk, run, swim, cycle, play sport, garden or learn a new skill, it all counts.

What are Greater Manchester's physical activity levels?

We are not currently moving enough. Inactivity is killing us, it’s making us sick and unhappy, unproductive and stressed, and is contributing to environmental destruction and climate change.

• 31% of the adult population – more than 700,000 people – do less than 30 minutes of exercise a week.
• Levels of inactivity are particularly high among those aged 75 and over (53%), those with a disability (46%) and those least well off (44%).
• Two-thirds of adults in Greater Manchester are overweight or obese – above the national average.
• Almost a quarter of pupils (24%) start school overweight – increasing to almost two in five (38%) when leaving primary school. Both rates are higher than the rest of the country.
• Each year we make around 200 million car journeys shorter than one kilometre – the equivalent of a 15-minute walk or a five-minute bike ride.
• Only 40% of children in Greater Manchester do an average of more than 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

All data from Active Lives (Adults) November 19/20, Active Lives (CYP) 19/20, the National Child Measurement Programme 19/20 and Transport for Greater Manchester.

Learn more about GM Moving