Local community goes Wild About Stockport
Volunteers have been going Wild About Stockport to plant 47,000 bulbs during November by preparing the town’s planters, beds and green spaces for a blooming lovely spring.
The initiative is part of local charity, Groundwork Greater Manchester’s Wild About Stockport programme to re-wild the town centre, increase local biodiversity, and connect adults and children to nature in the heart of the town.
On Tuesday (26 November), children from the Eco Warriors Club at St. Joseph’s Primary School volunteered their time to the Wild About Stockport project, along with teams of volunteers from local businesses and organisations, including Stockport Prince’s Trust, SPARC, Stockport Homes, Stockport Council, Totally Stockport BID, The Good Gym, Sky, and Galliford Try, as well as members of the local community.
Throughout November, volunteers have been taking part in activities such as clearing flower beds, litter picking, and planting bulbs. Alongside these practical volunteering sessions, the Groundwork team has hosted lots of free nature-themed activities for families to raise awareness about nature and engage and educate them about the challenges faced by local species and what small actions can help.
Wild About Stockport launched in July 2024 and will run until March 2025.
Groundwork is planning 35 community events in total as part of this project, which will include nature activities to educate and raise awareness; volunteering sessions to engage the local community in a practical way; and celebration events to mark the completion of each space.
So far, 14 community events have taken place at four locations in Stockport – Suffragette Square, Pocket Park, Chestergate Street and St. Peter’s Square. The project has already engaged 89 people, with 31 people signing up to get involved in future events.
Between September 2023 and March 2024, Groundwork brought together volunteers from the community and local businesses to revamp Suffragette Square in Stockport. Wild About Stockport is a continuation of this work, improving more green spaces around the town centre for the benefit of local people and wildlife.
Lucy Stowell-Smith, strategic lead for urban nature at Groundwork Greater Manchester, said:
“In bustling urban centres like Stockport, creating havens of biodiversity is essential for people and nature. The Wild About Stockport project will see a number of green spaces in the town centre improved for nature with the help of local people through community led action.
“These green oases provide vital habitats for a variety of species, improve air quality, and offer tranquil spaces for residents to connect with nature and help with improved health and wellbeing.”
Groundwork Greater Manchester is an environmental and communities charity working with individuals and in places in Stockport where support is needed the most.
Thanks to funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, Groundwork Greater Manchester is working in partnership with Stockport Council, Totally Stockport BID, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to deliver Wild About Stockport.
To get involved email greatermanchester@groundwork.org.uk or call 0161 220 1000.
