Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB develops a 5G SMART Decarbonisation Network

Local officials are kicking off the 5G SDN by connecting air-source heat pumps in social housing to a single network. This integration is the first step toward smart grids with remote monitoring and management of environmental conditions. Manchester will also conduct a digital road pilot involving smart stoplight prioritization and public transit routing. The 5G SDN - supported by £3 million in 5G Innovation Regions funding - will expand to functions like mold detection and virtual health.

GM

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB

United Kingdom

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB funds Unbroken VR training for domestic violence help

VR developer Mother Mountain Productions contracted with the authority for Unbroken's development. Unbroken is divided into two tracks - Insight and Flourish - for council officials and non-profit services, respectively. Insight's immersive experiences of coercive control based on interviews with 15 survivors improve staff awareness. Flourish provides tools like life coaching and meditations for different stages of organizational assistance.

GM

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB

United Kingdom

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB facilitates digital inclusion pilot for social housing

The pilot pairs five Internet Service Providers (ISPs) with social housing providers in the region. Each ISP-housing pair will improve connectivity and digital skills for 1,000 residents. ISP projects will vary with Vodafone the first to solidify plans by offering free SIM cards in its pilot zone. Target demographics for the program include seniors, disabled residents, and at-risk youth. Local officials hope the pilot creates a path to digital inclusion for 260,000 social housing residents.

GM

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB

United Kingdom

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB expedites evidence gathering with Programme Odyssey

Local officials identified safety concerns for domestic and sexual abuse victims whose phones were confiscated for evidence. Programme Odyssey from Blue Lights Digital is a mobile technology that supports digital evidence gathering in the field. The platform protects victim privacy rights and expedites processing times by targeting specific data categories. Greater Manchester Police is training 50 officers on the technology for a pilot in Salford.

GM

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB

United Kingdom

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB Virtual_Decisions program addresses knife violence

Local officials and Round Midnight started with a virtual reality training pilot across 31 schools. The VR program placed 1,395 students into a simulated situation with multiple potential outcomes. Participants discussed the roots of violent behavior and smart decision-making over a 12-week curriculum. Virtual_Decisions was expanded to all schools with Year 5 through 8 students as Greater Manchester seeks reductions in youth violence.

GM

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB

United Kingdom

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB leads digital inclusion pilot for Salford care leavers

Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Salford City Council introduced the program based on data showing 3,900 youths are digitally excluded after leaving foster care. The one-year pilot provides free data plans and mobile devices to 40 qualifying residents. Participants receive free digital skills training needed for personal and professional success. Authority officials will use lessons from the Salford pilot in the development of similar programs for other local councils.

GM

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB

United Kingdom

SC

Salford City Council, GB

United Kingdom

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB trains local talent with Skills for Growth initiative

The three-year effort addresses technical skill shortages identified by the local business community. A Digital Careers Upskill Programme prepares women and underrepresented professionals for careers in emerging industries. Free Digital Skills Growth & Productivity workshops teach entrepreneurs about data analysis, cybersecurity, and other skills needed to expand their businesses. Skills for Growth is expected to help 25,000 professionals and 3,000 businesses during its run.

GM

Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GB

United Kingdom