The poverty in the shadows of a trendy town and the fight for a kinder city

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

When most people in Manchester hear the name Chorlton, they think of a quirky south Manchester suburb lined with trendy bars and restaurants and home to well-off professionals and families.

But behind the fashionable exterior are some of the poorest communities in the city, with households struggling to survive. And it's people from all walks of life - from those relying solely on benefits to two-parent families finding their joint income is no longer enough to fund food and energy bills.

It may well be a bleak picture, but a project set up to tackle the issues affecting people most has not only shone a spotlight on the problems but is rapidly finding solutions - and providing a template for other projects across the region. Join our FREE Manchester Family WhatsApp group by clicking here Barlow Moor Community Association (BMCA) has been a part of the community for years - largely helping residents on the surrounding Merseybank Estate and Arrowfield Estate, formerly Nell Lane.

But over recent months it's been achieving more than anyone thought possible, pulling in funding for community projects and helping families get the financial and practical support they so desperately need.