Nature and growing

Written By Guest User

And breathe! Did you know that spending just a small amount of time in nature is linked to lots of benefits for our physical and mental health?

As well as making us feel good, protecting our green spaces can help reduce the effects of climate change by keeping our cities cooler, improving air quality and reducing the risk of flash flooding.

Ready to turn over a new leaf and make a lasting impact? Check out these resources to learn how:

Discover our projects linked to nature and growing:

Our Impact
Case Study: How we supported SNUG to increase their community engagement
Case Study: How we supported SNUG to increase their community engagement

Building on our research that connecting to nature can help facilitate climate action, we teamed up with SNUG, a community orchard in Crowcroft Park to help connect residents with nature.

Case Study: How to use translation in your surveys to reach more of your community
Case Study: How to use translation in your surveys to reach more of your community

We all know data is key these days, whether you’re asking questions for yourself or measuring a project for a funder. But often not everyone speaks the same language, and that can make things tricky! 

Case Study: Whalley Range alleyways are for everyone
Case Study: Whalley Range alleyways are for everyone

In January 2024, In Our Nature started working with local residents to help them build skills, come together and help make their alleyway more climate resilient and an all-round nicer place to be!

Case Study: Creating a Community Space at Sir Robert Thomas Court
Case Study: Creating a Community Space at Sir Robert Thomas Court

Across Manchester, many people are unable to access and enjoy their local green spaces. One of the biggest groups affected by this is older residents and those with mobility issues, who may struggle to maintain overgrown areas. In these situations, local friends’ groups can be key for helping communities to secure funding, host volunteer days and make green spaces accessible for everyone!

Case Study: Accessibility at Crumpsall and Cheetham Model Allotments
Case Study: Accessibility at Crumpsall and Cheetham Model Allotments

Everyone deserves to have a community space to visit, whether it’s for socialising and meeting like-minded people, or simply having somewhere to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As part of In Our Nature, we wanted to give community groups the guidance and resources to make their spaces easier to access for the local community.

Case Study: Crumpsall Youth Climate Leaders
Case Study: Crumpsall Youth Climate Leaders

Many young people want to contribute to climate action and greening their local area, but simply don’t have the knowledge, support or tools to make it happen. In Our Nature are on a mission to make climate action accessible and achievable for young people of all ages and abilities!

Get inspired:

Featured
Meet the Caritas Lalley Allotment: a hidden oasis 10 minutes from the city centre
Meet the Caritas Lalley Allotment: a hidden oasis 10 minutes from the city centre

This wonderfully diverse growing space has been quietly tucked away in Collyhurst at the Caritas Lalley Centre since Groundwork helped to develop the site back in 2016.

Meet The Kindling Trust: encouraging a new generation of sustainable growers
Meet The Kindling Trust: encouraging a new generation of sustainable growers

Where does our food come from and why is locally grown food important? The Kindling Trust are making it their mission to answer this question by making locally grown produce more accessible than ever and finding inventive ways to get people growing.

Meet Claire from SNUG: one of Manchester’s newest and biggest greening projects
Meet Claire from SNUG: one of Manchester’s newest and biggest greening projects

When you start out growing your own plants you never know where the journey will take you, and that’s definitely the case for Claire from SNUG! Hear about Claire’s project, the benefits and challenges she’s experienced and how you can get involved…

Meet the Trafford Wildlife Volunteers: keeping South Manchester wild and green
Meet the Trafford Wildlife Volunteers: keeping South Manchester wild and green

This group based in Trafford and South Manchester have been hard at work for years trying to protect and improve Manchester’s vital green spaces.

Meet Clean and Green Castlefield: the group brightening up one of Manchester’s most iconic areas
Meet Clean and Green Castlefield: the group brightening up one of Manchester’s most iconic areas

Gary started the Clean & Green Castlefield group during the pandemic after wanting to tidy up litter in the local area. From there, and with the help of Castlefield Forum, the group has now grown into a fully-fledged eco-squad with lots of enthusiasm from the local community.

Meet Plant NOMA: the team redefining Manchester’s urban biodiversity
Meet Plant NOMA: the team redefining Manchester’s urban biodiversity
Meet George: the 17 year old nature expert inspiring Manchester’s next growing generation
Meet George: the 17 year old nature expert inspiring Manchester’s next growing generation

Green Fingered George - or, just George for short - is a 17 year old nature lover, gardening whizz, birdwatcher, and RSPB young ambassador

Meet Ardwick Climate Action: Manchester’s friendly neighbourhood climate activists
Meet Ardwick Climate Action: Manchester’s friendly neighbourhood climate activists

Ardwick Climate Action are a community group based one mile south-east of Manchester’s city centre in – you guessed it – Ardwick!

Meet Frank: the person behind Moss Side’s thriving allotment
Meet Frank: the person behind Moss Side’s thriving allotment

Frank has been growing his own food since he was 12 years old. When he moved to Manchester from Jamaica he took up an allotment plot in Moss Side and he has now been there for over 30 years.

Meet the people behind the Derek Jarman Pocket Park
Meet the people behind the Derek Jarman Pocket Park

On the lookout for a new, relaxing green space in Manchester that helps tackle the effects of climate change? You’re in luck! 🌼

Want to grow to the next level? Dive in to our nature toolkit:

Want to get a community nature project up and running? Learn from the best about how to get started.

Learn More

Check out our wildlife pond guide!

Interested to learn more? Check out these other resources:

Explore more resources
Guest User
Previous

The things we buy and throw away