Case Study: How Manchester Housing Associations are helping tenants take climate action

In Manchester, two housing associations, Mosscare St Vincents Housing (MSV) and Southway Housing Trust, have found a simple but powerful way to help tenants take action on climate change – by making the most of their communal spaces.  

Both already had spaces for their tenants to congregate in, with fridges and sometimes small kitchens. With a little support and encouragement, these spaces have become hubs to share surplus food and reduce waste, while also building stronger connections in their communities. 

Across the two projects, 95 residents took part, helping to save an estimated 46 kg CO2 – a great demonstration of how small actions can add up to a real impact. 

Getting started

At both MSV and Southway, tenants were eager to try something new. At Southway, Jabeen, the Housing Officer, reflected on how tenants were looking for a different activity. “My tenants were keen to do something different.” 

After some consultation with Sophie, a Community Engagement Lead from In Our Nature, food came up as an important theme, especially since most tenants were living alone and struggling to cook for one without having leftovers. Jackie, one of the tenants, remarked how it was difficult to get through a whole onion when you were just cooking for yourself. This is where the idea for the project began! 

At MSV, residents had already suggested the idea after seeing similar services at local libraries and community centres. Lauren, the Scheme Administrator, explained, “We hoped that we could encourage residents and visitors to be more aware of their shopping habits and reduce food waste within the scheme.” 

For both housing associations, the project was about seeing their own food in a new light and developing community and connection amongst tenants. 

 The difference it made

The impact on tenants was immediate and visible. 

At Southway, 100% reported benefits to their wellbeing, 75% felt more connected to others and that they had learned something new. At MSV, 50% of residents said the project encouraged them to engage in more pro-environmental behaviours. 

This project has also been proved to help with finances - 63% of participants from Southway said they had saved money.  

The social benefits were just as striking. Jabeen described how the project brought together people who rarely interacted before: “And that’s the amazing thing. They all came together and you know, the social aspect of it, people who never do socialize with each other than saying hi and bye were actually physically pouring water and plants and things.” 

Tenants quickly noticed the impact on their own habits and their communities. “The project has benefitted residents by allowing them a space to share unused food items with those who may need or want them. It also allowed residents to see that their wishes were being heard and actioned within their living space,” said Lauren from MSV. 

One tenant’s story stands out: Atika, who became a central figure in the Southway project, not only helped organise activities but also encouraged neighbours to get involved. She has since joined the Community Champions group, demonstrating how these small projects can nurture leadership and confidence.

Benefits for Housing Associations

For MSV and Southway, the projects did more than reduce food waste – they strengthened community trust and tenant engagement. “It’s benefited Southway because our tenants have got on with something they wanted to do… and we’ve given them empowerment. It was nice to come from the tenants themselves,” Jabeen said. 

Jabeen added, “I’ve never had like... ten tenants coming in for a food demo. Even the tenant who wanted nothing to do with this – she wanted it dissolved because she wasn’t interested. It was a lot of work for us, but when we did the food demo, that person really enjoyed it, so she got something out of it.” 

At MSV, the initiative reinforced the organisation’s commitment to listening to residents and involving them in shaping their living spaces. Lauren noted how the project helped staff connect with tenants in new ways and build a sense of shared responsibility for their communal areas. 

Community Pantry and log book to calculate food waste

Challenges and lessons learned

The housing associations learned a lot along the way. 

• Framing the community pantry and fridge correctly is critical. Some tenants initially viewed it as a food bank, which carried stigma – either they didn’t want to use it for fear of being judged, or they felt they didn’t need it and therefore shouldn’t take from it. The message had to be clear: this is about reducing food waste, not providing free food. 

• It's important that residents understand the purpose. To donate unwanted food not to buy more, the aim is to share unwanted or surplus food that might otherwise go to waste. 

• Expectations need to be managed too. The pantry might not always be full, and that’s okay. Staff and residents both had to adjust to this, recognising that the availability of food fluctuates naturally. 

• Keep people engaged!  Keeping momentum can be difficult once the initial excitement fades. The teams found that continuing to host small, social activities – like food demos or growing projects – helps keep tenants connected and motivated to participate. 

What’s next

The success of the projects has inspired further action. At Southway, tenants have formed an engaged group and gone on to revamp their garden, using planters, seeds, and compost to grow herbs together – creating another way to connect while contributing to sustainability. “It’s making them all work together, but independently, through their own choice,” said Jabeen. 

Both housing associations continue to promote broader waste-saving and climate-friendly practices, providing guidance on reducing bills, food waste, water usage, and recycling. Small initiatives like these demonstrate that climate action can be practical, community-led, and empowering. 

New vegetable planters at Southway accommodation

From the tenants… 

“We’re sorting to get back on track, it’s good because the idea is there and the tenants are still keen on doing the pantry. We’re focusing on not wasting food and seeing more recycling happening in the accommodation. I think the pantry has helped bring people together to socialise, and it did,” said Atika, a tenant at Southway sheltered housing scheme. 

“…It’s independence for them to do their thing, and it’s ownership – Southway is here to support, but it’s their project,” Jabeen added. 

Tenants from Holland Court - Southway Housing

This approach shows how even small, locally-led projects – using existing resources – can create measurable benefits, strengthen communities, and empower tenants to take climate action in their own homes.