Join us for an interactive sandpit event at the University of Manchester exploring how the built environment shapes population mental health and inequalities. This hands-on workshop brings together researchers, VCSE organisations, public services, and individuals with lived experience to develop innovative, real-world solutions. Successful ideas will receive seed funding between £1,000 and £10,000, from a total pot of £40,000.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 18 February 2025.

What ideas might be considered?

We are particularly interested in partnering with:

• Early career researchers
• VCSE and non-academic organisations
• Individuals with lived experience

Possible areas of exploration are

• Housing
• Accessibility and mobility
• Environmental quality (e.g. air pollution)
• Placemaking and public spaces
• Social connectivity and isolation
• Access to natural environment and ecosystem restoration
• Diversity

At the end of the sandpit event, any funded project will have to:

• Include an academic partner and a community-based partner (the connections can be made during the sandpit event itself)
• Be directly relevant to population mental health, addressing upstream determinants of mental health in research and practice
• Broaden the reach and diversity of the Population Mental Health Consortium

Watch the recording of the Q&A webinar

What is the population mental health consortium?

The Population Mental Health Consortium is part of the UKRI-funded Population Health Improvement network. Its mission is to bring together expertise and insight from across research, public health and communities to improve health and reduce health inequalities through the development and evaluation of long-lasting interventions as well as to advance population mental health research by integrating diverse perspectives, policy, practice, and lived experience.

Part of the Population Mental Health Consortium will look at the built environment. If we want to enhance population mental health and reduce inequities, we need to pay closer attention to how our built environment shapes not just the way we live, but the way we feel.

For example, safe and stable housing helps reduce chronic stress, while well-connected roads and transport networks can prevent isolation by making it easier to reach work, school, and community activities.