At WCHG, we are dedicated to creating a lasting social impact by improving the health, wellbeing, and overall quality of life of the Wythenshawe community. Our work goes beyond providing homes—it’s about fostering strong relationships, ensuring access to opportunities, and helping young people thrive.

We take pride in our recognition as an Investors in People Silver Health & Wellbeing Award recipient, demonstrating our commitment to a supportive, inclusive, and empowering workplace. As a Top Employer UK for three consecutive years, WCHG offers local employment to over 530 colleagues while championing diversity and inclusion. Our Disability Confident Employer accreditation reflects our proactive efforts in breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and valuing the unique talents of all individuals.

Supporting Young People – The Evolution of WCHG’s Youth Team
Our Youth Team was established over 12 years ago in response to the growing need for dedicated youth services in Wythenshawe, where the number of young people under 16 continues to rise. We started with just three open-access sessions and have now expanded to four, engaging between 35 to 180 children and young people per session.

We provide a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where young people can:

Feel valued and respected
Develop new skills and knowledge
Build confidence and resilience
Make a difference in their community
Access positive role models and support networks

In 2024 alone, we worked with over 2,000 young people, and we anticipate this number to grow by at least 50% in 2025. Our impact is not just about numbers; it’s about changing lives.

Recognition & Achievements
Our work has been widely recognised, including:

-The Ability Group, which won Project of the Year at the Manchester Buzz Awards and was honoured with the prestigious British Youth Citizen Award, recognising their outstanding contribution to the community.
-Pride in Wythenshawe, a community-driven LGBTQ+ initiative, which was revived by our young people, attracting over 600 attendees in its first year back.
-Our Bike Safety Project, providing over 1,500 bike safety kits, promoting road awareness and security for young people.
-Chester Zoo SEND Family Day, an initiative led by our Ability Group, which secured funding for 35 families to experience an inclusive, fully funded day trip.

Comprehensive Youth Services
We operate 51 weeks per year, ensuring continuous support through:

-Ability Group (SEND young people aged 11-25)
-Youth Forum (Youth voice and social action projects)
-Four open-access sessions (Ages 11-18)
-School-based personal development programmes
-After-school clubs (Ages 8-11)
-Detached street-based youth work
-1:1 Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) support

Our youth centres provide a diverse range of activities, from sports, gaming, arts & crafts, 3D printing, baking, and outdoor adventures to critical life skills workshops covering mental health, financial literacy, and career aspirations.

Empowering Young People for the Future
Our focus is not just on engagement but also on long-term impact. We:

-Support young people in gaining qualifications and volunteering as junior leaders.
-Offer informal interventions for mental health, substance misuse, and sexual health education.
-Provide an alternative to screen time by encouraging real-world connections, teamwork, and self-development.
-Our Youth Workers serve as mentors, role models, and advocates, ensuring that every young person, regardless of background, feels valued, heard, and supported.

A Lasting Impact on the Wythenshawe Community
Youth work is at the heart of positive social change. Whether it’s through tackling anti-social behaviour, addressing digital pressures, or ensuring young people have safe spaces to learn and grow, our mission remains clear:

To inspire, empower, and uplift the young people of Wythenshawe—now and for the future.