Community Explorers: Exploring Pathways out of Poverty

Join us for the first Community Explorers in-person quarterly event of 2026, focused on exploring and enabling ‘Pathways Out of Poverty’. We will bring together VCSE organisations, GMCA and Manchester City Council, as well as various stakeholders across the city to discuss the diverse initiatives working to create sustainable routes out of poverty.  

Speakers will include:

• John Wrathmell, Group Director: Strategy, Greater Manchester Combined Authority 
• Rhianne Sweeney, Work and Skills Specialist, Work and Skills Team, Manchester City Council
• Rich Browning, CEO, Healthy Me Healthy Communities
• Zainab Hashmi-Sattar, Data and Equalities Lead, Manchester Community Central

The conversations on the day will highlight key areas such as employment support, the impact of the Real Living Wage and how these efforts align with Manchester’s broader anti-poverty framework. We’ll also showcase inspiring examples from VCSE groups and grassroots projects making a difference at the neighbourhood level. 

This event is also open to businesses, as we recognise the crucial role that the private sector can play in helping people out of poverty. 

Plant based lunch will be provided. Speakers to be confirmed. We look forward to seeing you there!