This Is Us: Young People Explore Welcome, Identity, and Belonging in Manchester

Manchester Histories recently partnered with MADE, Chorlton High School, and poet Reece Williams to deliver a This Is Us project, a creative project inviting young people to explore a timely and thought-provoking question: Is Manchester a welcoming city?

Working with Year 9 students from Chorlton High School, the project combined local histories, creative writing, discussion, and spoken word performance to encourage young people to reflect on belonging, identity, and community through the lens of Manchester’s past and present

The project was inspired by the red plaque commemorating the 5th Pan-African Congress of 1945, a significant event in Manchester’s history that brought together activists, intellectuals, and political leaders from across Africa and the diaspora. Through exploring the legacy of the Congress, students were encouraged to consider how ideas of welcome, inclusion, and social justice continue to resonate today.

The first workshop introduced students to the histories of the Pan-African Congress and the stories connected to the plaque. Through interactive activities, group discussion, and a visit to Manchester Central Library’s Archives+, students explored how histories are preserved and whose stories are remembered. These experiences prompted thoughtful conversations about Manchester’s identity and whether it lives up to its reputation as a diverse and welcoming city.

Building on these discussions, students returned for a second creative workshop at Z-arts, where they worked alongside Reece Williams to transform their ideas into poetry and spoken word. Through a series of writing exercises, students reflected on their own experiences and perspectives, exploring what makes people feel welcome and how those experiences can differ across communities.

As individual poems developed, students collaborated to create a collective spoken word piece. Bringing together a range of voices and viewpoints, the final work captured both the pride and complexity that emerged from their discussions about Manchester.

The project culminated in a professional recording session, giving students the opportunity to perform and record their work. Alongside this, they designed their own commemorative plaques, reflecting on the people, places, and stories they believe deserve recognition and remembrance.

Throughout the This Is Us project, students demonstrated creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to engage with challenging questions. Their work highlighted the importance of listening to young people’s perspectives and creating opportunities for them to connect local history with contemporary issues.

Manchester Histories would like to thank MADE, Chorlton High School, and Reece Williams for their collaboration and support in delivering this inspiring project. Most importantly, thank you to the students, whose thoughtful contributions and creative voices made the This Is Us project such a meaningful exploration of Manchester’s past, present, and future.

The recorded spoken word poem will be presented on the new This is Us website shortly.