Bupa & GM Wellbeing Series launch major partnership to transform workforce health

Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series yesterday announced a landmark partnership with leading healthcare provider Bupa.

The collaboration is designed to create a comprehensive wellbeing ecosystem for the Greater Manchester workforce, connecting mass participation events with year-round preventative health support.

The partnership directly addresses a critical business need. With a new report from our partner, Wellbeing at Work, revealing that 89% of employers globally say wellbeing is a strategic priority for 2026, the demand for effective solutions has never been higher. This collaboration will integrate the Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series with Bupa’s wider health initiatives.

The GM Wellbeing Series includes the Greater Manchester Wellbeing Run & Walk (5.5K run or 2K walk in Heaton Park on 21st May), and Greater Manchester Meditation (3 minutes of calm across the region on 22nd October).

This creates a clear pathway for organisations to move from a single day of collective activity to embedding long-term healthy habits. Participants in the Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series will be introduced to Bupa’s Healthy Cities initiative. This global programme provides a powerful, ongoing motivation for participants to stay active, knowing their efforts contribute directly to a healthier local environment.

A key focus of the collaboration will be on mental health, a critical component of overall workforce resilience. Bupa will support Greater Manchester Meditation on 22nd October, working with the City Wellbeing Series to co-develop content and resources that help employees build preventative mental wellbeing habits. This aligns with Bupa’s purpose to help people live longer, healthier, happier lives and its increasing focus on proactive mental health support for businesses.

The partnership is also a celebration of Bupa’s deep roots in the region. Having been part of the fabric of Greater Manchester for 70 years, Bupa’s investment demonstrates a renewed commitment to the health of the communities and businesses across the city-region, particularly in Manchester and Salford.

Nick Rusling, CEO of City Wellbeing Series, said: “This is a genuine collaboration built on a shared belief that a healthier workforce creates a stronger city-region. This isn't just about a single event; it's about creating a movement. Our platform provides the spark, that collective moment of movement and mindfulness. Bupa’s expertise provides the ongoing support that allows that spark to ripple out across the whole team, all year round. Together, we are offering Greater Manchester businesses a simple, pragmatic, and powerful way to invest in their people’s health and see a measurable impact.”

Anna Russell, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, at Bupa, said: “Supporting people to live longer, healthier, happier lives is at the heart of everything Bupa does – partnering with the City Wellbeing Series as part of our Healthy Cities programmes is one way we’re bringing that purpose to life in Greater Manchester. We believe in the power of preventative health and getting people moving, and this collaboration creates welcoming, inclusive opportunities for people to boost their physical and mental wellbeing. As a proud local employer, we’re delighted to bring businesses and communities together to nurture a positive wellbeing culture and play our part in building a healthier, more resilient city.”

The Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series is open for organisations across the region. All invited to join the movement and invest in the wellbeing of their workforce.

For more information and to register a team, visit www.gmwellbeingseries.com

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