Two Rochdale community-led projects granted funding to create green spaces

The Secret Garden Allotment will see raised beds and an orchard planted to create a community space for all people, helping them work together to grow their own food

Two local community-led projects have been granted funding to help improve or create local green spaces.

Deeplish Community Space and Garden and the Secret Garden Allotment have been awarded funding from round two of the Green Spaces Fund.

The Secret Garden Allotment will see raised beds and an orchard planted to create a community space for all people, helping them work together to grow their own food, whilst Deeplish Community Space & Garden will promote climate change activities, develop green spaces and engage participants and residents in transforming the outdoor space into a community garden.

The news follows on from the successful first round of the scheme announced at the Green Summit in October 2022, which saw almost £400,000 allocated to 21 projects that are making a real difference to their local area.

The fund makes small and large grants available for community groups wanting to create new, spaces or improve existing ones in their local area, particularly where there is currently a lack of good quality green space.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The Green Spaces Fund continues to give communities the support to improve their local areas, in turn helping to make Greater Manchester a greener and fairer place.

“The variety of schemes we’ve been able to support through the second round of the fund really demonstrates the vast benefits that green space can have, from physical and mental health wellbeing to community togetherness and the biodiversity of our city-region. This is why it’s so important that everyone has access to some form of green space wherever they live.

“The next round of funding is due to open very soon, so if you think you can make a difference to your community, I’d really encourage you to consider making an application and helping turn your local area green.”    

The Green Spaces Fund is managed by the Greater Manchester Environment Fund (GMEF).

A pioneering body created in partnership with the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, GMEF brings together communities and funding bodies keen to channel their resources into addressing environmental problems.

It is not too late to apply for funding through the Green Spaces Fund, with round 3 opening on Monday 27 March 2023. There are two types of grants available: small grants up to £15,000 and large grants between £15,000 and £40,000.

For more information and support with your application visit the Greater Manchester Environmental Fund website.