Since launching in Greater Manchester a year ago, Higher Health UK’s Skills4Living programme has reached 2,500 young people, expanding on an initial pilot of 1,000 learners.
The programme helps young people build the essential life skills and confidence they need to succeed in education, work and everyday life. It forms part of Greater Manchester’s work to give every young person a clear line of sight to good jobs and develop the skills employers value.
To celebrate the progress made, Higher Health UK, a global UNESCO partner, held its second annual Skills4Living Awards on Wednesday 6th May 2026 at The Whitworth Art Gallery. The event brought together young people, partners and supporters from across Greater Manchester, with the awards presented by Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Empowering 3,500 Young People Across Greater Manchester
Skills4Living is Higher Health UK’s core programme to support young people with the life skills they need to succeed in the future. The programme has been delivered through partner organisations across Greater Manchester, including universities, colleges, apprenticeship providers and independent training organisations.
To date, Skills4Living has reached over 3,500 young people across Greater Manchester after a thousand took part in the original pilot. The programme focuses on essential life skills that are increasingly valued by employers, such as empathy, conflict resolution, adaptability, communication and problem-solving.
Through a blend of online learning, in-person workshops and peer-to-peer mentoring, the programme helps participants to improve more than 25 essential life skills through real-world scenarios, covering areas such as positive mental wellbeing, gender equality, countering racism, and improving physical health.
A Celebration of Excellence and Opportunity
The Skills4Living Awards will recognise young people who have demonstrated exceptional growth, leadership, and commitment to personal development through the programme. The event will also celebrate the partnerships helping to deliver Skills4Living across Greater Manchester and the positive impact the programme is making on young people’s lives.
Deputy Mayor Kate Green’s involvement reflects the importance of supporting young people with the skills they need to thrive and help build a stronger and more inclusive future for Greater Manchester.
Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, Kate Green said: “Seeing young people receive their certificates through Skills4Living is a powerful reminder of the talent, confidence and potential we have here in Greater Manchester.
“Skills like communication, teamwork, empathy and problem-solving matter in every part of life — in education, at work and in our communities.
“We want every young person in Greater Manchester to have a clear line of sight to opportunity and good jobs. Skills4Living helps make that happen by giving young people the confidence and practical life skills they need to thrive.”
