In January 2008 a partnership that included Manchester City Council, Wythenshawe Regeneration Team (MCC), Wythenshawe Forum Trust, Parkway Green Housing Trust, St Modwen’s, Marketing Manchester and later Willow Park Housing Trust appointed Creative Concern – a Manchester based communications agency.

The task was to develop a plan of action for Wythenshawe – to be used to challenge negative perceptions of the area. We talked to a lot of people, who know a lot about Wythenshawe.

We listened to the local community – the people who live and work here. We also talked to people living in the surrounding areas.

It soon became clear that the image people have outside of Wythenshawe is often untrue or at very best ten years out of date.

But the people who live here are proud of Wythenshawe – it’s a good place to live.

It is important that we take control of image and tell people the real story of Wythenshawe. Quite simply people should see much more of what is the Real Wythenshawe, hear about the real lives of people who live here, understand the real facts, see the real picture.

A good image is something that is important to any place, the more good things people know about a place the more likely they are to want to live or work there.

It’s also important that we feel good about where we live – it makes us feel positive, happy and able to look towards the future – that is something everyone is entitled to feel. Image is also important for investment – both the public agencies and private companies want to invest in places that can use this investment to flourish.

We know there is still more to do here, but so much has already been achieved and it’s time for this to be recognised.