Resarch & Policy
Across Greater Manchester, deep-rooted structural inequalities continue to limit the life chances of young people and communities from underserved communities.
Disparities in access to employment, education, mental health support, and civic participation disproportionately affect racially minoritised and economically disadvantaged populations.
Despite growing investment in youth and community provision, there is often a lack of evidence-led policy that is rooted in lived experience.
National studies rarely capture the nuances of specific neighbourhoods, and as a result, solutions can be misaligned with real needs.
The Research & Policy programme was developed to close this gap — ensuring that the voices of our communities shape not only our delivery, but also the strategies of those in power.
What the programme does
Our Research & Policy programme uses academic rigour and community insight to investigate the causes and consequences of inequality, and to inform the systems that reinforce or dismantle it.
The programme includes:
The change we hope to see
Our research ensures programmes remain community-rooted and evidence-driven, supporting:
Building Skills
Community researchers develop inquiry, analysis, and storytelling skills through their involvement.
Personal Growth
Involvement in shaping research builds confidence, especially in those whose voices are often excluded.
Civic Responsibility
Research elevates lived experience to shape policy, giving participants and communities influence.
Social Mobility
Research insights directly inform strategies that improve access and outcomes across sectors.
Wellbeing Support
Studies into trauma, mental health, and culturally competent care strengthen system-wide wellbeing strategies.
This programme ensures that lived experience is not just heard — it’s actioned. By influencing policy through research, Nurturing Foundations is helping to build a more just, equitable, and responsive system for current and future generations.