A new scheme has been launched in Rochdale aimed at connecting people from a range of backgrounds to nature.
Run by environmental organization Groundwork, the scheme will involve pop-up and grow sessions, an eco-streets program and grow at home packs.
The Groundwork team will be working in Kirkholt, Falinge and Milkstone and Deeplish – engaging with people from a range of different backgrounds in gardening, growing and other nature-based activities.
These areas were chosen as the team believe they have a lack of green spaces for the community.
Lydia Marshall, community projects lead at Groundwork, said: “It’s just a really fun way to get back into nature on a small scale so it doesn’t have to be anything massive like long walks or big allotment gardening.
“It’s just small-scale engaging with nature.”
Pop-up growing sessions begin this month, and are focused on bringing members of the community together whilst enjoying the mental health benefits of being outdoors.
These start on Mondays from 1-3pm at Falinge, Tuesdays from 2-4pm at Milkstone Deeplish, and Wednesdays from 1-3pm at Kirkholt.
Groundwork also aim to create three eco-street spaces, co-designed and created by the local community.
The new Groundwork scheme will involve pop-up and grow sessions, an eco-streets program and grow at home packs
The eco-streets will increase access to local green spaces, transforming an alleyway or a small green area, to become locations where people can come together.
Also, Groundwork will be sending out grow at home packs, which will help those struggling with social isolation to spend more time in their gardens growing plants and food, whilst at the same time making connections with their neighbours.
The scheme is part of Rochdale Council’s ‘Bounce Back and Grow’ programme, aimed at engaging with local communities post-Covid.
Lydia said: “The whole scheme is in the wake of Covid and getting people back socializing together, interacting together and getting back out into their green spaces.
“Over the last two years people haven’t been out in the community. Even though it’s kind of over now, people are still struggling to get back outside.
“Being outside has so many health and wellbeing benefits and this is just our way of helping people get outside and into nature again.”
Lydia added that lockdown had made people appreciate their local green spaces more.
“It’s definitely something people are aware of and want more of,” she said.
“A lot of these people don’t have green spaces in their gardens if they live in flats so being in the local parks and green spaces has definitely added value.
“Sometimes there’s a language barrier or cultural differences that keep people from socializing and being together. Maybe once we’ve gone, the people who have done these sessions together can keep doing things outside together.”
Those who are interested in attending these free events should contact lydia.marshall@groundwork.org.uk for full details and to secure a space.
