Wythenshawe Real Lives

In 2008, Wythenshawe Real Lives launched in response to the ‘hoodie’ photographed behind David Cameron during his visit to Wythenshawe and the negative national coverage it triggered. The campaign aims to challenge negative perceptions of the area and raise awareness of the district’s sustained investment and regeneration.

The first phase of our campaign was an image campaign, where we commissioned photography to highlight the real people of Wythenshawe. These images were used on vans used by the housing trusts in the area, on hoardings and as part of an exhibition at the Forum.

The campaign has since grown to a multi-platform campaign since its birth. We now have a roster of ‘Ambassadors’, people who live and work in the area, and have organised a number of community and corporate events to highlight the cause.