
Residents and organisations across Brinnington have helped design three maps to encourage residents to keep active and spend more time in their local area.
The bespoke illustrations, which were unveiled during a launch event this week (Wednesday, November 3), are on display at First House on Brinnington Road, Brinnington and can also be downloaded via a QR code. All Brinnington residents have also received a free copy of the first map through their letterbox.
It is hoped the maps will provide a visual guide for residents to encourage them to explore the area more. The first map includes local landmarks, the second highlights walking routes and ways to keep active, and the third is a historical map of old buildings and landmarks in Brinnington.
Ross McGuigan, active communities manager at Life Leisure, worked with the local community to facilitate the maps. He said:
When we asked residents for ideas of how we could encourage people to get moving more, everyone was very keen on something that would get people involved but also highlight everything Brinnington has to offer within the community.
“One of the residents came up with the idea of having some maps and everyone loved it. People started talking about their favourite places and what buildings they remember from their childhood that are no longer there. It became such a talking point we thought it was something that would get other people interested too.”
He added:
Supporting the local community is hugely important to us as Stockport’s local leisure provider, but we understand that doesn’t always mean accessing gym facilities and setting up sport sessions. The maps have already proved to be a useful local resource for residents and visitors looking for ways to explore Brinnington and get active, with local schools using them for classroom activities, and residents and holiday clubs using them for walking activities and trails. We hope the community continues to embrace the maps in lots of exciting ways.”
The idea for the maps came from the That Counts in Brinnington Forum, a focus group made up of residents, Life Leisure, Brinnington Big Local, Transport for Greater Manchester and more local organisations. This is part of a funded programme through Sport England called the Local Pilot, led by Stockport Council.
Speaking after the new maps were unveiled, John Kenny, chair of Brinnington Big Local, said:
“These maps are just fantastic. We really hope they will provide something for everyone, whether that’s families finding new cycling routes or older adults using them to reminisce and take a walk through some old haunts.”
Copies of the maps can be downloaded free from the Life Leisure website.