Overview
Partington - a semi-rural area in Greater Manchester, faced longstanding challenges including underused public space, antisocial behaviour, limited economic opportunity, and low civic engagement. A holistic regeneration approach led by Andrew Edwards (Senior Consultant at V4 Services, since 2022) has transformed the area into a safer, greener, and more connected place - during his time as Regeneration Manager at Your Housing Group (YHG).
At the centre of the regeneration was the revival of the Redbrook Trail, a forgotten green corridor, along with major investments in community facilities, enterprise, and environmental action.
This replicable approach offers a proven, community-first model for activating green and public spaces, fostering local pride, and supporting underserved communities through collaborative delivery and measurable impact.
The Challenge: Project Goals
To use environmental and economic regeneration as a driver of community pride, youth engagement, and long-term neighbourhood sustainability.
Key Outcomes:
- Engage residents through creative consultation and local action
- Restore a neglected green trail into a civic asset
- Support economic resilience and start-up culture
- Activate events and activities for wellbeing and cohesion
- Increase visibility, safety, and community ownership
The Solution
Community Visioning – Engagement Through Creativity
The regeneration programme began with a strong emphasis on co-production. To understand priorities and re-establish trust, Andrew led a creative engagement programme including:
- Mapping sessions, photovoice, and walking audits
- Forest school-style workshops and pop-up consultation
- Collaborative mural and signage design with schools
- Doorstep dialogue and social media reach-outs
These activities identified the Redbrook Trail - overgrown and feared - as the key space to transform.
Environmental Restoration - Redbrook Trail
Originally developed with ERDF funding in 2007, the trail had fallen into disuse. Its transformation included:
- Vegetation clearance, invasive species removal, improved lighting
- Tree planting: 100 English Oaks + hundreds of native species (funded by Our Bright Future)
- Accessible pathway resurfacing and safer junctions
- Art-based interpretation boards, litter campaigns, and trail events
The trail is now central to community recreation, active travel, and wellbeing.
Partnerships and Volunteering – Unlocking Local Ownership
Success was driven by multi-agency collaboration and growing volunteer networks. Partners included:
- Woodland Trust, National Trust, and Keep Britain Tidy
- Local schools, Trafford Council, housing and social prescribing teams
- Over 50 community volunteers, youth groups, and older residents
This collaboration shaped decisions, built ownership, and sustained improvements.
Education, Youth Engagement and Wellbeing
Children and young people played a critical role in co-design and delivery:
- Created signage, trail guides, and ecology boards
- Led guided walks and supported seasonal trail clean-ups
- Received environmental education linked to school curricula
- Connected with health professionals through outdoor wellbeing activities
Youth engagement helped reduce low-level ASB and fostered long-term community stewards.
Key Successes
Community Events & Celebration: A programme of seasonal and annual events brought people together:
- Redbrook Trail events (Easter, summer walks, winter lights)
- Community days at The Fuse, the community hub, and Oak Road Park
- Annual Neighbourhood Awards and celebration days to honour local changemakers
These gatherings became signature events, reinforcing civic pride and strengthening relationships.
Enterprise and Economic Growth: leading the letting of commercial units to local businesses:
- Increased footfall and local spend
- Boosted employment opportunities
- Encouraged community-driven commerce and reduced vacancy rates
YHG also partnered with Pop-Up Business School, Trafford Housing Trust and Beautiful Ideas Company to:
- Deliver enterprise training to 85+ participants
- Establish a business support and micro-funding programme
- Foster a self-employment culture in Partington and surrounding areas
Broader Environmental and Youth Initiatives: the regeneration included workstreams that supported:
- M31 Employment Partnership – jobs fairs, school outreach, Connected Club
- M31 Project Group – environmental action with YHG, Trafford Council, Amey, Friends of Oak Road
- Love Where You Live clean-ups, litter tracking, school workshops
- Community Skip Days with upcyclers and recycling ambassadors
- Support for youth sports, Trafford Moving Project, and Connect Club (10 laptops donated for digital access)
These cross-sector initiatives helped address local ASB, disconnection, and waste while boosting pride and skills.
Outcomes and Impact
Social and Community
- Increased pride, ownership, and visibility
- New and strengthened community groups
- Improved perceptions of safety and inclusion
Environmental and Educational
- Restored green infrastructure and biodiversity
- School engagement embedded in project delivery
- Environmental stewardship and learning
Health and Economic
- Social prescribing referrals to the trail and events
- More active lifestyles and intergenerational play
- Local spending and enterprise supported
- Strong local partnership culture sustained
To find out how V4 Services can help you with your next project, please get in touch.
