Breathing Easier in Cheetham and Crumpsall

Breathing Easier in Cheetham and Crumpsall

In 2025, a vibrant collaboration between Young Manchester, creative facilitators Malandra Jacks, and a dedicated group of students from Abraham Moss High School set out to reimagine the future of asthma care.

The result? Breathe Easy—a project designed to support young people with poorly controlled asthma by turning their lived experiences into an interactive masterpiece.

Designing a “Human-Sized” Future

To tackle the challenges of asthma, we didn’t just talk about it—we built it. Working with a cohort of 13 young people (ages 11–15) from Cheetham and Crumpsall, we collaborated with local set designer Tom to create a human-sized inhaler.

This isn’t just a sculpture; it’s a creative tool designed to empower the community. By blending art with education, the project makes learning about respiratory health fun, engaging, and accessible.

What’s Inside the Inhaler?

The installation serves as a curated time capsule and educational hub, featuring:

  • The History of Breath: See real inhalers dating back to the 1900s.

  • Real Stories: Meet characters based on the real-life experiences of young people living with asthma today.

  • Future Visions: Explore winning designs from our “Inhalers of the Future” competition.

  • Expert Advice: Insights from health professionals integrated directly into the exhibit.

“The inhaler is a truly unique resource powered by real stories. We’ve captured the voices of young people and the expertise of doctors to create something rooted in our community’s lived experience.”

Catch the Tour!

The human-sized inhaler is hitting the road. Residents of Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall can catch a glimpse of this unique resource as it tours local landmarks, including:

  • Local libraries

  • Schools

  • Community health centres

Get Involved

Together, we’re making Manchester a place where every young person can breathe a little easier.