“The community feels prouder to live in Sale West”
After the birth of her daughter, Clare Standish was searching for flexible work to fit around her childcare responsibilities. That search led her to Our Sale West Big Local. Today, Clare is chief officer at Our Sale West CIO, the legacy organisation of the Big Local. As we mark the end of the programme, we asked Clare about her journey and the lasting impact Big Local has had on both her life and the wider community.
Q. Can you tell us about Sale West and the community you work with?
The Sale West estate is a stereotypical overspill estate built in the 1970s to accommodate residents moving out of the slums in Central Manchester. Located on the edges of Sale, bordering the countryside, it is greener than most estates but suffers from a lack of transport and connectivity to the rest of Sale and Trafford.
Sale West has suffered in the past from a ‘bad reputation’. However, it has a strong, proud community who care and want to see things improve for themselves and their families. Generations of families have grown up on the estate, and it is a great place to bring up a family.
I think I have a unique perspective on the area as I actually live outside of it, which has given me the advantage of looking from the outside in. And despite living out of the area, I have always been made to feel welcome and part of the community.
I have grown in confidence, and the programme has helped me develop from a project officer, to a manager, and ultimately a chief officer of a charity.”
Q. Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became involved with Our Sale West Big Local.
After the birth of my daughter, I was looking for a part-time role that could fit in with childcare. The opportunity to work in a community alongside residents to make a difference really appealed to me.
I have always worked in roles where behavioural change has been at the heart – whether this is working with young people, encouraging residents to recycle or to look after their community. In my current role, this means working with the residents of Sale West to build community power, and make a difference for them and their community.
Q. What difference has Big Local made in Sale West?
When Big Local began, one of the main issues for the area was that the Trafford council had disbanded the youth service. As a result, the youth centre on the estate had closed and generations of youth intervention, such as the much-loved youth club, had ended. The youth centre was often empty in the daytime, and the neighbouring community centre felt neglected.
Our Sale West worked with the community to bring services back to the centre, including youth provision to bring the site back to life. At one time, the building was set for closure – now it is Trafford’s first LiveWell Centre and essential to the community delivery in the area. Residents told us what they needed, and we worked hard to bring it to them.
The centre has also been spotlighted by Greater Manchester as a good practice example of a LiveWell centre. Last year, Mayor Andy Burnham visited Our Sale West as part of the GM LiveWell Bus Tour. This was a compliment to all the hard work we and the community have done to improve the area for the long term.
Andy Burnham chatting to Clare during his visit to Sale West. Photo: Local Trust
Q. What are some projects that Big Local has supported in the area?
Over 10 years, we have supported and initiated a lot of projects in the area. The most noticeable are the improvements we’ve made to the park in the centre of the estate.
10 years ago, the park was neglected and underused. Using the Big Local funding as match funding, we commissioned a masterplan to be created based on the needs of the community. In phases, we have put in a new infant and junior playground, picnic benches, growing area, and finally an amphitheatre. Now, on a nice evening, the park is buzzing with families, kids swinging on the zip wire, and mums catching up on the picnic benches.
We also run community trips at least three times a year, visiting the seaside, the zoo, and local markets. The uptake is always great and is a brilliant way to engage with our residents.
People taking a tour of Sale West’s community green areas. Photo: Local Trust
I feel turning the centre into a one-stop-shop for all has been our greatest achievement and ultimate legacy in Sale West and beyond.”
Q. How has being part of Big Local impacted you personally and professionally?
I feel the work we have done in Sale West has really laid the foundations for the strengthening relationships the council and others have with community-based Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprises (VCFSE).
Professionally, it has given me knowledge and experience that will stay with me. I feel now that I can motivate and guide others to work with communities. I have grown in confidence, and the programme has helped me develop from a project officer, to a manager, and ultimately a chief officer of a charity.
Q. Looking back, what are you most proud of and what have you learned?
I think the greatest achievement in life is helping someone in need, making their lives better and making them feel listened to and cared for. Thinking about projects, I feel turning the centre into a one-stop-shop for all has been our greatest achievement and ultimate legacy in Sale West and beyond.
Sale West Community centre. Photo: Local Trust
Based on what we’ve learned, here are four lessons I’d pass on to others doing this kind of work:
- start with the basics,
- listen to your residents,
- don’t feel you have to change the world all at once,
- work with partners, not against them.
Q. What is the legacy of Our Sale West Big Local, and what’s next for the organisation and the community?
Our Sale West Big Local has secured support and created resilience in Sale West for now, and in the future. I believe the community now feel more listened to and supported, knowing that help and advice can be found in the community centre. The community feels prouder to live in Sale West.
Becoming an independent charity enables us to gain funding for more projects and create a long-term future. I hope that, moving forward, we can create a sustainable model that’s not so reliant on grants. We also aim to help more residents outside of our traditional Big Local patch, so everyone gains the benefit of having their voice heard.
Ultimately, we would also like to take on the community centre as a community asset transfer, so the building’s future is secured for the residents.
Visit Our Sale West website to learn more about their work and impact.