Case Study: Supporting The Message to create a community garden in Wythenshawe

In Sharston, Wythenshawe, where green spaces are few and far between, a formerly desolate patch of land on the side of The Message has been transformed into a flourishing community garden and food growing space. Supported by local volunteers and spearheaded by The Message, the initiative began with a simple idea:

“To have a nice spot to have a cup of tea and get together as a community.”

Through a partnership with Morgan Sindall and the EMERGE collective, we helped transform a space at The Message in Sharston into a community garden and growing space.

Using reclaimed wood salvaged from local building sites, provided by Touch Wood (part of the EMERGE collective), raised planters, bird boxes, and outdoor seating were crafted in hands-on woodwork sessions involving both local residents and corporate volunteers.

Luca, a Touch Wood designer, explained:

“The sessions are about learning woodwork skills, everything from how to hold a screwdriver to building your own planters.”

Volunteers learned to measure and cut timber, safely use tools, and build functional garden features. These workshops didn’t just equip participants with new skills, they also fostered pride and a deeper connection to the space they helped shape.

In total, The Message Community Garden project used over 2 tonnes of reclaimed wood, benefitting the environment by using materials that would’ve gone to waste and saving over a tonne of CO2. This amount of CO2 would’ve taken 186 trees a year to absorb!

A Thriving Green Hub for All Ages

The Message has been a huge community asset for many years. Andrew who works in Corporate Partnerships explained:

“Here at The Message, we run lots of community groups already. Over 50s groups, youth clubs and coffee mornings... I’m looking forward to extending our coffee mornings outside.”

The creation of the community garden has allowed The Message to expand on their offering when it comes to growing skills, connecting residents with nature and creating more social spaces.

“It’s fantastic now. We’ve got beautiful furniture, seating areas, and amazing planters full of fruit and veg. The possibilities are endless.”

From fresh produce growing in handmade planters to families gathering around a large wooden cable reel for conversation, the garden has great for local connections.

“People are making friends and having fun and learning about how to grow their own food, which has been great.”

Cultivating Confidence, Community, and Capability

Andy has aspirations for full community-led management in the future. “My plan is that, by the time Lucy eventually leaves us, we’ll have groups here that will take ownership of it and really run it themselves.”

Their volunteer group is already growing, with people of all ages and backgrounds attending weekly sessions to harvest their own food, which is distributed and sold at their own community grocery.

When asked what the volunteers haven gotten out of the session, 100% agree that they have improved their gardening skills, learned how to recycle materials for growing, and how their everyday choices can impact the environment. One volunteer commented:

“For me it’s been amazing to watch a wasteland be turned into a beauty spot. I’ve seen people’s confidence grow through planting and learning.”

Many also feel that they’ve made new connections through the sessions, with over 70% feeling an improvement in their own wellbeing:

“For me personally I’ve felt more unity and connection, no matter what mindset I’m in I always feel like I’m welcome!”