A collaborative project between the University of York, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, UK Health Security Agency and the Centre for Mental Health

Welcome to WARM

WARM is a multidisciplinary development project funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research designed to shape and build a larger research collaboration focused on climate adaptation and mental health. While adaptation planning has tended to prioritise infrastructure and physical health risks, far less attention has been given to the mental health consequences of heat, flooding, displacement, and wider climate-related disruption. WARM addresses this gap.

Working with NHS partners, local authorities, community organisations and national agencies, the project brings together evidence, data and stakeholder insight to clarify key research questions, identify priority populations, and map opportunities for action. It combines risk mapping, policy analysis, and co-production to develop a shared framework for resilient and equitable mental health planning.

We are working in two contrasting Combined Authorities:

Greater Manchester, where there are significant flood and heat risks and established regional governance structures.
York and North Yorkshire, which faces substantial flood exposure and undergoing new regional coordination following Combined Authority formation.

This work will underpin a future NIHR Collaboration Award, strengthening partnerships, refining methods, and ensuring that the next phase delivers robust, policy-relevant evidence to support preventive strategies for mental health and wellbeing in health and community settings.

Project Aims

To review existing climate adaptation planning and identify knowledge and translation gaps relating to mental health

To identify priority climate-related mental health risks and vulnerable groups
To consolidate partnerships across health, local government, and community sectors

To refine research questions and analytical approaches for large scale study

To co-produce a whole-system framework to guide a future Collaboration Award

WARM's 3 Phases

Phase 1: Collaboration Building and Vulnerability Scoping

Build a transdisciplinary research collaboration
Map vulnerabilities within populations and services
Review existing adaptation strategies

Phase 2: Collaborative Research Question Development

Engage stakeholders to co-define research priorities

Phase 3: Synthesis and Feasibility Scoping

Scope the feasibility of future evaluation and modelling

Monthly Project Updates

February 2026:

WARM's Phase 1 is fully underway as of February 2026. We're currently looking to speak with individuals and groups from Greater Manchester and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authorities around the following three topics related to WARM:

How current local adaptation plans account for mental health vulnerabilities
Identifying specific gaps in evidence or implementation regarding service pressures during climate events
Refining the research priorities that will form the backbone of our NIHR funding application

If you would like to get involved or know someone we should speak with, please get in touch directly with our Research Associate Dr Kelli Kennedy (kelli.kennedy@york.ac.uk).

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