‘We help each other out here, that is why things are definitely on the up...’
REASON MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE DECIDING TO MOVE TO WYTHENSHAWE
“IN some areas of the country, people don’t even speak to their neighbours, but here we help each other out.”
Talk to anyone from Wythenshawe, and they’ll tell you how proud they are of their roots – so what is about this sprawling area of south Manchester the provokes such strong feelings?
Woodhouse Park councillor Sarah Judge was born and raised in Wythenshawe, where she still lives today.
Born in Baguley, and moving onto the Shady Lane Estate in Brooklands at the age of four, Sarah is Wythenshawe through and through. The 29-year-old went to school at Sacred Heart Primary School and St Paul’s High School, only leaving the area to go to university in Sussex.
She has now moved back to Baguley where she lives with her partner and 12-year-old step daughter.
Elected in 2015, the Labour councillor says has had the privilege of serving the community she knows and loves for nearly five years.
Sarah describes what it is that makes Wythenshawe such a great place to live – and why she’d never live anywhere else.
“The community in Wythenshawe is what makes it so distinctive, we are straight up honest people,” she said. “In some areas of the country, people don’t even speak to their neighbours, but here we help each other out.
“You just have to look at the local Facebook group, Wythenshawe 1 – if someone is looking for help, within minutes, we will have loads of people offering their services.”
Northenden councillor Sam Lynch moved to Wythenshawe when she was four months-old, having previously lived in home
less accommodation in Moss Side.
She grew up in Royal Oak and attended Baguley Hall Primary School, before moving on to Newall Green High School.
During her time at school, Sam attended a youth club at Royal Oak Community Centre, which she credits for helping to shape her into a successful woman.
Like Sarah, Sam attributes her love for Wythenshawe to the spirit of the local community she serves.
“I have always known Wythenshawe to have a strong sense of community and I would say that is even more true now,” she said. Local government cuts have been felt in Wythenshawe, with council spending across Greater Manchester falling by 17pc since 2009. But both Sarah and Sam agree that the community is rising up to fill the gaps that other agencies cannot.
“Despite austerity cuts there is always something happening and that is because our community dedicates its time to making Wythenshawe a great place to live,” said Sam. “Wythenshawe has some negative stereotypes, which really annoys me, because it’s full of inspiring people. “Just recently, I had the honour of meeting one of them – a woman called Gaynor. “Gaynor sadly lost her husband and even in her grief she decided to set up a bereavement group in Benchill to help others who have lost loved ones. The group has only just started and is already getting busy.” Wythenshawe Waste Warriors
are another example of the great work being done across the community, says Sarah.
The group of volunteers are promoting the cleanliness of local parks, green spaces and brooks in the Wythenshawe area.
“It is a shame that the council cannot always keep on top of the maintenance of green spaces, but when you look at how well the community has responded to that, it’s amazing,” said. Sarah
She added: “People are really taking control of their local area.”
Many areas are now subject to a waiting list as there is simply not enough housing to meet the demand. “The level of green space in Wythenshawe is brilliant,” she said.
“The number of parks and treelined streets is not something you see so much of in other places.”
She added: “Wythenshawe is definitely on the up – several years ago you couldn’t pay people to live here, but now we are in a situation where more and more people want to move here.”
Our community dedicates its time to making Wythenshawe a great place to live
Northenden councillor Sam Lynch