The project is the product of a 3-year long community engagement process that involved a wide range of people and organisations in the local community via meetings and questionnaire, and has been led by a local Steering Group.

Manchester City Council has allocated funding to establish the Good Neighbours Scheme in Ardwick and Longsight that will provide the following services, identified as priorities in the co-production discussions.
 

These are :

• Culturally appropriate social and wellbeing activities to reduce feelings of loneliness (prior to being housebound at a later stage of life).

• Volunteer Befriending (over the phone or face to face in a client’s home, in different languages).

• General information on advice and what’s available in the community (in different languages and in places that are culturally appropriate).

• Support for carers and signposting to sources of support.
   

The model desired in Ardwick & Longsight is more complex than a traditional befriending service, as it will involve multiple delivery partners delivering the social activities and assisting in the recruitment of volunteers. This is to ensure that the cultural diversity of the area is reflected well and that the service is culturally sensitive and accessible to all. ​​​​​​​​​​​