More than 450 people recently came together for Youth Connect ’25 (pictured), a major community event at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre. The event brought music, inspiration and partnership working to the heart of Wythenshawe.
Organised by Wythenshawe Community Housing Group’s Youth and Community Development teams, the event built on last year’s success to create a vibrant space where young people, families and residents could connect. From live music and first aid training to stalls run by community groups and partners, the day highlighted the energy and trust that exists in Wythenshawe when people work together.
Social housing landlord Wythenshawe Community Housing Group has its own dedicated youth and community development teams. They work year-round with residents and partners to improve opportunities and create safer, stronger neighbourhoods. Youth Connect ’25 is the latest example of how this approach brings results.
Funding from Wythenshawe Youth Alliance helped expand the presence of youth and community organisations, allowing more groups to take part. Local groups and campaigners amplified the impact, including a knife amnesty run alongside the event. It’s part of a wider message of community safety and hope under the banner #LivesWythOutKnives. Various knives were handed in, underlining the trust residents place in community led initiatives.
“It was powerful to see so many members of our community come together,” said Flo Cummins, Community Development Coordinator. “It’s been a privilege to work alongside such inspiring individuals who are making a difference.”
“This wasn’t just a one-off event, it’s part of something bigger,” added Samantha Maunder, Neighbourhood Youth Manager. “We’re here to show young people that there are safer, stronger paths, and we’ll walk those paths with them.”
Local campaigners Michael Muldowney and Jeannine Burke both brought lived experience and determination to the event. Michael, who set up The Wythenshawe Way after losing his brother John to knife crime, continues to support residents to build safer neighbourhoods. Jeanine, who founded Be Part of Change after her son Ty’rellé was killed in 2019, delivers “Ty Talks” in schools to help young people understand the real risks of carrying knives.
Michael said, “The knife amnesty initiative has been a great success, but it’s not solely about stopping knife crime. These ‘Lives Wyth-Out Knives’ initiatives organised by The Wythenshawe Way aim to inspire young people by showing them opportunities they might not have considered before. It’s about instilling hope and showcasing the possibilities of positive futures they can strive for.”
A new bleed control kit and defibrillator, donated by Cardinal Maritime and supplied by Turtle Medical, were unveiled during the event and are now installed at Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre as a lasting legacy.
The celebrations were captured in a short film produced by Media Cubs, a youth led media company, showcasing the event through the eyes of young people themselves.