Putting Communities at the Heart of Policy

The Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Manchester is a partnership between Manchester City Council and the University of Manchester, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Our aim is to build a strong culture of research and evidence-informed decision-making across the city, ensuring that policies, services and investments are shaped by high-quality research and the experiences of Manchester’s communities.

HDRC Manchester is part of a national network of collaborations that strengthen research capacity and capability within local government. By bringing together local authority staff, academic partners, community organisations and residents, we aim to generate and use evidence that improves health and reduces inequalities across the city.

Why Health Determinants Matter

Health is shaped by much more than healthcare services alone. Factors such as housing, education, employment, income, social connections and the environment all influence people's health and wellbeing. These wider determinants of health are key drivers of health inequalities and are areas where local government can make a significant difference.

Through research, evaluation and collaboration, HDRC Manchester supports the development of evidence-based solutions to some of the city's most pressing challenges.

Our Priority Areas

1. Housing

Good quality, affordable and secure housing is fundamental to health and wellbeing. We work with partners to better understand how housing conditions, housing insecurity and homelessness affect health outcomes and inequalities across Manchester.

2. Marginalised Communities

We are committed to addressing inequalities experienced by communities that face social, economic and structural disadvantage. Through co-produced research and community engagement, we seek to understand barriers to good health and identify opportunities to improve outcomes for all Manchester residents.

3. Young People’s Health and Wellbeing

Supporting children and young people to thrive is essential for Manchester's future. We work with young people, schools, community organisations and researchers to develop evidence that informs policies and interventions that improve health, wellbeing and life chances.

What We Do

  • Work with communities to ensure research reflects local priorities and lived experience
  • Build research skills and capacity across Manchester City Council and partner organisations
  • Support the use of evidence in policy and decision-making
  • Develop and deliver research on the wider determinants of health
  • Create partnerships between local government, universities, health services and the voluntary sector
  • Evaluate programmes and interventions to understand what works, for whom and in what circumstances

Get Involved

We believe that better research leads to better decisions and better outcomes for Manchester's communities.

Whether you are a resident, community organisation, researcher, practitioner or policymaker, there are many ways to get involved in our work. We welcome opportunities to collaborate, share learning and co-produce research that addresses health inequalities and improves wellbeing across Manchester.

Contact Us

For more information about HDRC Manchester or opportunities to collaborate, please contact: hdrc@manchester.gov.uk

Photos by Mangopear creative and Caleb Oquendo