Groundwork Greater Manchester receives almost £10,000 to help keep Boarshaw Clough connected

Boarshaw Clough is a five-acre site consisting of native trees and shrubs with a footpath network, small river system and lodge

Almost £10,000 has been awarded to Groundwork Greater Manchester to continue delivering community engagement activities at the Boarshaw Clough nature site in Middleton.

Boarshaw Clough is a five-acre site consisting of native trees and shrubs with a footpath network, small river system and lodge. Groundwork aims to increase recreational use of the Clough by engaging the local community and providing information on the health and wellbeing benefits of the green space.

This £9,760 latest round of funding has been awarded by the Co-op Foundation, from its 1.6m Space to Connect partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to unlock the potential of community spaces where people can connect and co-operate.

The funding for Boarshaw Clough will help Groundwork Greater Manchester explore forest school-based outdoor learning with local primary schools, as many families pass through the site on their way to school.

The funding will also allow Groundwork’s Community Coordinators to work with existing volunteers to establish a constituted ‘Friends Of Boarshaw Group’ who will become guardians of the site and will help to enhance the area for current and future generations.

Michaela Howell, Head of Communities at Groundwork Greater Manchester added: “Thriving community green-spaces are more important than ever before due to the impacts of Covid-19. Our team will encourage more families to take advantage of the green space on their doorstep which provides opportunities for play and physical activity whilst also benefiting from the restorative effects of green space.”

Nick Crofts, CEO of Co-op Foundation said: “This funding comes at a crucial time for our Space to Connect partners and the communities they serve, to support them through what is a very challenging time.

“Additional funding will allow organisations to continue their work to strengthen connections, tackle isolation, and address inequality in communities. It will also give organisations an opportunity to develop spaces for people to re-connect following the Covid-19 pandemic.”  

Residents of the Boarshaw area interested in engaging in this project should contact:

• greatermanchester@groundwork.org.uk