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Our Community Profile

Past…Present…Future

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Introducing Sale West… Sale West is a small housing estate (population around 3,800) situated a couple of miles west of Sale Town Centre in Trafford, one of the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. The estate was built in the early 1970’s to rehouse people from the overcrowded inner city areas of Manchester.

The blue line shows the outer borders of the Big Local Sale West area

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Beginnings At the time, Sale West was considered to be the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Manchester’s overspill developments, set within the leafy outskirts of south Manchester and on the edge of the countryside. The first new residents were delighted with what they found:

Following

the town planning

and architectur

al guidelines of the time, the estate

was designed

to encourage a feeling of community, with houses arranged to face each other in cul-de-sacs and short avenues. Many of the houses back on to narrow alleyways or ‘ginnels’. A mixture of low-rise houses and flats was provided to accommodate both single people and families. The main roads (later to become bus routes) skirted around the outside of the estate, rather than running through it. Open green spaces and a Youth and Community Centre building were included in the plan and later, some shops and a pub were built to give a neighbourhood feel to the estate. All the streets were named after famous racecourses, soon giving rise to the nickname ‘The Racecourse (Estate)’. Moving from inner-city congestion and decrepit houses to clean and pleasant surroundings on the edge of the countryside; surely a dream come true? The irony is that, over time, this has proved to be both a blessing and a curse. The original residents left poor but tight-knit communities and had to start again in a new setting with very little in the way of amenities, public transport or local job opportunities.

As time went on, some things changed for the better, some for the worse… The Present Day

“We came from Moss Side when I was six. We came from a two up two down house, and all four of us children had shared a double bed. The house we moved to in Thirsk Avenue was much bigger.” Bev

“I moved to Sale West from Collyhurst, Manchester. First thing we enjoyed was going from coal fire to central heating, even though it was a hot air box!” Sylvia

“When I moved to the estate there were no shops or youth club, just a building site … we would play on the piles of rubble and pretend it was our castle. On Firsway that was where all the workman huts were for the council.” Kira’s Nana

“We were one of the first residents to move into Epsom Avenue. Side roads, main roads were not finished. Rabbits ran freely across Firs Road. No buses ran through the estate.” Sylvia

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Population According to figures from the 2011 Census, Sale West has quite a young population compared with Trafford as a whole, having a higher proportion of children and also of adults up to the age of 45. By contrast, there is a relatively low proportion of people aged over 60 years of age.

85% of people would call themselves White British, and of the rest there is a higher proportion of people who are Black or Black British than Asian or Asian British. There are now a small number of Eastern European families on the estate, who add to the ethnic and cultural mix.

A significant proportion of families have elderly parents and adult siblings with their families all living on the estate. Around 1,700 of Sale West residents can be described as ‘burdened singles’, i.e. many single parents living alongside single pensioners, mostly in rented houses or flats, though some own their own property. The majority of these residents are trying to manage on low incomes.

There is good networking, and in general people are very supportive of one another. When asked what people like about Sale West, many will say that they get on well with their neighbours, and that they like the people and the sense of community. Many of the adults have lived on the estate all their lives.

Housing The Sale West estate was originally owned by Manchester City Council, but between 1998 and 2000, ownership was transferred to Trafford Borough Council. Then, in 2000, the decision was taken to appoint the Irwell Valley Housing Association (IVHA) to manage the estate. A programme of upgrading the housing stock followed this move.

“The estate changed a lot when Irwell Valley took over and all the houses got done up and cameras put up” Lee

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Nowadays there is very mixed housing in Sale West, even though the majority of the houses and flats were originally built as social housing properties. Over the years, some families have purchased their ‘council’ houses and continue to live in them; other houses on the estate were bought and are now rented out privately. The majority of residents are tenants of Irwell Valley Housing Association, however.

Although the Irwell Valley Housing Association owns a large proportion of the land on the estate, some is still owned by Trafford Council. Some areas of green space have been sold to private developers over the course of the past couple of decades and several dozen private houses now exist on this land. Trafford Council took the decision recently to demolish the former Cherry Lane Primary School buildings in order to re-locate Brentwood Special School from another site in Trafford. This will alter the character of the southern end of the estate and will add another educational establishment and additional services to the area.

Environment and Local Amenities

As mentioned previously, the local area was initially designed to be quite open, with lots of green spaces. There used to be a centrally located row of shops, including a Post Office, near the Youth and Community Centre, but these were demolished some years ago, The area once occupied by the shops and Bechers Pub has now been reclaimed as a small Community garden, community orchard and outdoor gym.

There is a lot of potential to create more growing spaces around the estate, perhaps to encourage future market garden activities. At present, there are five local playgrounds which are in desperate need of refurbishment and which should also be fenced off to prevent dog fouling. Residents with young families would use them more often if this work were to be carried out. There are very few outdoor benches around the estate and the older residents, in particular, as well as parents with young families and dog walkers would welcome these to create an opportunity to sit down and socialise with friends and neighbours.

The area feels largely safe to walk around in, especially in the daytime, but some residents feel slightly apprehensive about walking down the narrow alleyways at night where lighting is dim and fences are high. There have been a few problems with stray dogs roaming unattended both during the day and at night. Recently, there has been an issue with youths (not all from the estate) riding around at speed on quad and scrambler bikes in an intimidating and potentially dangerous way.

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The following map shows the immediate locality around the Sale West estate, with some of the main amenities:

Brigadier Pub

Firsway Health Centre

Sale West Youth & Community Centre

Coppice Avenue Library Outdoor Gym

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Shops and Services

There is now only one small convenience store on the estate. However, within walking distance on Coppice Avenue, just to the south-east of the estate, there is a row of shops including a chemist, a Co-op, and a Tesco Local with a petrol station. A Nisa convenience store is located not too far from the northern end of the estate. Ashton on Mersey village is a short bus ride away, with additional access to a family butcher and a greengrocer. In order to access banks, a Post Office or

other types of shop, it is necessary to go on a longer bus journey or else to travel by car. As far as banking services are concerned, there are two ATM’s within walking distance on or near Coppice Avenue. For those residents without a local bank account and who cannot access online banking, the only real safe alternative is the Credit Union. There has been a Credit Union on the estate for about 19 years, and this is well used for small savings and for helping people with loans. At present it is currently only open for a few hours per week, but if sufficient funding and trained volunteers were to be found, then it could start to expand its activities to a wider clientele.

There has been a serious problem with loan sharks in past years, but help and support has been made available for residents who require it. The shrinking job market has also made it more difficult for individuals to obtain financial help through payday loans/advances.

At present local residents can access some Council Services, such as benefit advice or paying Council Tax, from a help desk within Coppice Avenue Library. This has been greatly appreciated by many people, especially our older citizens. However, the worry is that continuing austerity measures may see these important services being re-located to Sale Town centre. Library services also continue to be under threat, so the future of the Library itself is still uncertain in the long term.

A sad sign of current times is the need for Food Banks and one was set up in 2013 on the Estate within the Credit Union office. It is one of several in Trafford and can be used by anyone in desperate need of food who has successfully acquired a voucher from any of the appropriate medical, social or Government agencies. This voucher entitles them to three days’ emergency food rations – hopefully enough to tide them over until more permanent help can be arranged. The Food Bank is run entirely by volunteers and is open for three hours each week.

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Play and Activities

There are a small number of outside play areas for children on the estate, but as has been mentioned previously, these are not in the best of condition at present. Dog fouling and lack of seating put many parents off allowing their children to play there.

On a brighter note, however, plans have been put forward for the play area next to the Community centre to be upgraded at some point in the future, with help from Red Rose Forest.

There is now also an outdoor adult gym, provided by Irwell Valley Housing, next to the community centre, although its use tends to be limited to warmer days and lighter nights.

To date, lots of activities for people of all ages have been provided in the Youth Centre and in the Community Centre. These include a breast feeding support group, baby massage, a baby club, childcare for under 5’s, Muay Thai Boxing, a Fitness Works Gym, Mindfulness Meditation, Dance for 8-11 year olds, Ballroom Dancing, Zumba and Street Fit Dancing, a Junior Youth Club, a Senior Youth Club, a Big Family Art Club, an after-schools Urban Explorers Club, a club for Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied people (PHAB Club), and Mosaic, a craft club.

One of the residents runs Skillz FC, which provides football activities for children and young people, futsal, netball and other sports activities, in local venues.

Unfortunately, budget cuts have led to drastic cutbacks in Trafford’s Youth provision and both Youth Clubs have had to close down as a result, at least for the present. Volunteers may be able to provide a limited number of activities, but this will not match the previous level.

Similarly, difficulties with funding and a shortage of volunteers has led to the demise of the after-school ‘Urban Explorers’ Club.

There is a community garden on the estate, with 10 raised beds for people to use. Some children and residents have taken part in Digging Sale, a healthy eating project to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs in public places, for anyone to take and use.

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Community Buildings

Sale West Youth and Community Centre

There has been a Youth and Community Centre in Sale West from the time the estate was first built. Although both buildings have separate entrances, they are combined as one larger unit. Both parts of the Centre are fairly well used, but they are draughty and energy-inefficient, and both the layout, decor and fabric of the building need to be updated for modern use.

Plans are currently being considered for either a restructure of the building, or for a new build. Local leaders and regular users of the building are working with Trafford Council, Irwell Valley Housing and Trafford Housing Trust, to decide on the best way forward.

A Community Centre building of some sort has great potential, but would require much better management and promotion as a venue for a variety of community and business activities. This is one of the areas where the Our Sale West Board hope to make a considerable impact on local community provision.

As the building has dated and deteriorated, it is no longer perceived as the central hub it once was. Older residents have recalled happier days, when there were plenty of activities for all ages, particularly young people…

Community events are still held and much enjoyed by local residents, but they are certainly fewer and further between these days compared with the building’s heyday a few decades ago.

“My dad had some great memories of going to the Youth Club where he made lots of friends. He is still in touch with them now!” Megan

“We went to the Youth Centre every night. We did Morris dancing and I remember rabbit shows. There were Brownies and Girl Guides at the Community Centre.” Bev

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Local Places of Worship

There are two Christian churches on the estate. St Margaret Ward Roman Catholic Church, which meets in St Margaret Ward School, was founded in 1983. Sale West Community Church, which meets in the Community Centre, was established when the estate was first built. It is affiliated to St Mary Magdalene Church (Church of England), which is situated about one mile away on Moss Lane, Sale. Residents of other faiths (e.g. Judaism, Islam or Hinduism) would have to travel by bus or car to reach their relevant places of worship.

Transport Some of the residents are car owners, and many own bicycles, but for the majority seeking work, public transport is their main way of getting around.

Bus services to and from Sale West have been cut back in recent years and it is no longer possible, as it once was, to catch a direct bus to Manchester city centre or to the Trafford Centre.

Currently, there is only a 19 bus which takes people from Sale West to Sale, Broadheath or Altrincham in one direction and Manchester Airport, via Wythenshawe Hospital and Forum Centre in the other. Unfortunately, quite a few of the onward bus links are rather sparse in the early mornings or the evenings, limiting opportunities for accessing work, especially where shift work is involved.

There is a good, but relatively expensive, Metrolink tram service from Altrincham and Sale to Manchester and Media City, although residents have to walk around one mile to the nearest tram stop at Brooklands. From there they can access lines to Bury, Chorlton, East Didsbury, Rochdale and Ashton under Lyne. The Metrolink service is being extended to Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport, which should help access to work.

Employment As mentioned in the Introduction, the location of Sale West has proved to be both a blessing and a curse. The area is pleasant and green, but as it is situated within a residential suburb of Trafford, there are very few opportunities for employment in the

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immediate neighbourhood and the vast majority of those in work have to travel every day to reach their workplace. Local job opportunities are based around a small number of local schools, pubs and shops; the nearest commercial or industrial premises are to be found some miles away. The expense and difficulty involved in reaching suitable workplaces has been a contributory factor towards the fairly high level of unemployment on the estate. To combat this, and with support from local agencies, a local resident set up a Job Club to help residents search for employment and training opportunities. This has been a very successful venture to date. As one of its main aims, the Our Sale West Board would like to encourage and support such initiatives in future so that residents can develop skills, confidence and entrepreneurship.

Advice and help on career and training opportunities is also offered at the Community Centre by advisers from the National Careers Service and through Trafford College. A Jobs Fair was staged locally, giving local employers and training agencies a chance to meet local people. It is planned that Big Local money will be used in future to make such events a more regular feature.

Health Provision According to the Government Index of Multiple Deprivation for 2010, most of Sale West falls into one of the 20% most deprived areas nationally. As a consequence of this, there is a relatively high proportion of people with chronic health problems (physical and mental health problems and addictions) and disabilities. Most worryingly of all, the 2012 Health Profile for Trafford shows that life expectancy for residents on the Sale West estate is 10.6 years (males) and 5.7 years (females) less than residents in other parts of Trafford. This shocking statistic means, for example, that male residents of The Avenue, a prosperous road a few yards away from the edge of the estate, can expect to live ten years longer than male Sale West residents.

Fortunately, access to health care is relatively good. There is a large, modern medical centre (Firsway) on the north-west edge of the estate with its own pharmacy and another GP practice is within walking distance. There is another local pharmacy on Coppice Avenue where health advice can be obtained.

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Residents can access three local hospitals; Altrincham General, Trafford General and Wythenshawe Hospital fairly easily by public transport. If necessary, further specialist care is also available at major hospital trusts in Manchester, such as Manchester Royal Informary or the Christie Hospital for cancer care. Crime Prevention Greater Manchester Police statistics report for 2013 show that, year on year, Sale West has had a higher than average number of alcohol-related and domestic violence-related crime. A higher proportion of these crimes occur in the home compared with the rest of Trafford, and the report suggests that home drinking is prevalent in the area. The report also demonstrates that Sale West has consistently higher than average levels of youth anti-social behaviour, problems with neighbours and overall levels of anti-social behaviour. It suggests that the most likely cause for this is the close proximity of housing in the area and the high percentage of social housing. Drug dealing and abuse is still a concern, especially where younger residents are concerned, although police and other agencies are working together to combat this. Encouragingly, however, numbers of reported crimes have dropped significantly in the area since 2012/13. Policing has become more targeted and the Police Community Support Officers have become a more familiar sight around the area. Social media, such as the Sale West Voice Facebook page, have helped to warn and inform local residents of any current crime-related incidents, enabling them to take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their property. Education The main schools which are accessed by children from Sale West are Firs Primary School, St Margaret Ward Primary School, Woodheys Primary School, and Ashton on Mersey High School. Also close by is Manor High School for secondary-aged children with learning difficulties. The head teachers from all of these local schools are very keen to support community activities.

For example, local pupils have taken part in bulb planting around the Community Centre car park and have also helped to plant fruit trees and bushes near the Community Garden.

Pupils from our local Primary Schools have also been invited to help with several ‘Big Tidy’ litter

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picking sessions organised by Trafford Council Environmental Services and Veolia

Support from Local Agencies

Sale West and Ashton Partnership The Sale West and Ashton Partnership was established about 5 years ago. It covers the Sale West estate and also two other estates in the Sale West/Ashton area. It is composed of local residents, and local front-line workers from the council, NHS, housing associations,

schools, police, children’s centre, credit union, Trafford College, church, and Sale West Community Urban Trust. All work together to improve quality of life in the area.

‘Task and Finish’ groups tackle various issues including health and wellbeing, children and young people, the environment, learning and employment, and crime. There have been some exciting developments as a result of partners sharing their skills, knowledge and resources together.

The partnership has managed to attract funding from various different sources, to enable new activities to take place, and to put on community events.

Local Council Trafford is our local Council and we are very fortunate to have three very committed and pro-active Local Councillors in the Sale West area. One of them is a member of the Our Sale West Board. They are all also regular attenders at SWAP meetings.

The Our Sale West Board benefits from a Clerking service offered to local groups and volunteer organisations by Trafford Council.

Housing Associations

Irwell Valley Housing Association is the landlord for the tenants on the Sale West Estate. Since taking over the management of the estate, they have done a great deal to improve both the housing stock and the general environment. They have offered support for

various community events and subsidise the local Sunshine café as well as making grants available to individuals and groups through their Golden Foundation scheme.

The Our Sale West Board and SWAP have both also benefitted greatly from input by officers and staff from Trafford Housing Trust, who manage a couple of neighbouring social housing estates in the area. They have offered financial assistance as well as business advice and have also provided staff and a venue to host workshops

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and meetings when required.

The Future

The Sale West Estate now stands on the brink of an exciting new era in its existence, thanks to the hard work of many residents and agencies and to the exciting possibilities offered by the Big Local £1m funding.

The Our Sale West Board has already taken on board the suggestions and vision offered by local residents and these will be incorporated into the Plan to be submitted for approval by Big Local.

The following suggestions were gathered over the course of the past two years and the Our Sale West Board will act on as many as possible, as well as continuing to gather comments and suggestions over the next ten years at least…

People’s thoughts and ideas about the future of Sale West

Many local residents have contributed thoughts and ideas in response to the question: What would make your community an even better place to live?

These can be summarised under the following headings:

1. More things for children and young people to do

Ideas included upgrading the play areas, having play areas closer to home (especially for those living at the Cherry Lane end of the estate), a new Astroturf pitch, a skate-boarding park, a roller skating rink, a bike track, a basketball court, using the unused car-parks for small play areas.

2. Upgrading the Youth Centre and Community Centre 3. A local shop near to the community centre 4. More social activities for all ages.

Ideas included Bingo nights, Karaoke nights, under 18s discos, roller disco, cinema nights, talent nights, outings, a static caravan for holidays, community transport, a residents’ bike scheme

5. Evening clubs and classes, with opportunities to learn hobbies 6. Improvements to the environment

Ideas included benches on the green areas, Sale West in Bloom, more allotments, put skips in the car parks on a regular basis, furniture recycling

7. Supporting people into jobs

Ideas included training for young people, youth mentoring, literacy training, an internet café, improving access to computers, job creation schemes, and start-up grants for businesses

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We should like to mention that this Profile was completed at the end of April, 2015, and we know that some of the activities mentioned continue to be under threat from funding cuts. The Our Sale West Board is aware that there may be changes as a result and this is one of the factors we will be monitoring as our Plan develops.

However, we are encouraged and determined to take an optimistic and positive outlook based on this comment posted by one of our residents:

“I have the sense that Sale West estate is a place that is in the process of improving; things have already been done, things are happening, things to come – it’s great to be part of it!”

Detail of a mural designed specifically for the ‘Racecourse’ estate, commissioned by Irwell Valley Housing Association and drawn by ???????? in 2012.