Greening Together: The Postcode Gardener Project in West Gorton & Belle Vue
The Postcode Gardener project is a greening initiative focused on transforming both small and large spaces across West Gorton and Belle Vue. Led by Lizzie, the appointed Postcode Gardener, the project aims to green 50 identified locations while actively engaging at least 200 local residents and working closely with Manchester City Council and local neighbourhood officers.
Through hands-on work and community involvement, the project aims to deliver not just short-term improvements, but a longer-term cultural shift toward community-led environmental ownership. Ultimately, the ambition is for the Postcode Gardener role to become self-sustaining, with elements of the work supported through fundraising and local partnerships.
Young people and educators are also key participants, particularly through school and allotment-based activities that build environmental knowledge and hands-on skills. The improved green spaces offer environmental, social, and mental health benefits for all who live and work in the area.
Activities to Date
Site Identification & Community Engagement:
Lizzie began mapping and investigating potential green spaces. One key site near Armitage CE Primary School, previously a fly-tipping location, saw strong interest from local parents. Plans for funding and clean-ups are underway.
Volunteer Involvement:
A local train driver has been volunteering regularly, showcasing growing community interest. Efforts to expand volunteer opportunities are ongoing, with over 50 community members and 7 community groups engaging with the project so far.
Planting Initiatives:
Bulbs were planted in local green spaces including Annie Lees Park and The Croft, contributing to more vibrant community spaces. Feedback from these sessions has been positive, with many volunteers enjoying meeting new people and learning a variety of gardening techniques.
Engagement through Gorton Monastery:
A consultation session was held to gather green space ideas. Seed bombs were distributed to residents. Two Syrian residents requested improvements for their area, which Lizzie has since begun working on.
Community ownership:
Lizzie gained permission from Guinness Homes to work on five of their sites. This included supporting local residents to sow seeds and plant pollinator friendly plants in a large planter.
When the work was complete, Lizzie gave several residents watering cans so that they could keep on top of watering the new plants through the summer months.
Bird boxes have also been created and distributed around the area, providing additional nesting opportunities and supporting local wildlife.
Allotment gardening sessions:
The allotment sessions were delivered throughout June and July 2025, working with teenagers to increase their knowledge and confidence around growing food. The sessions were led by the Postcode Gardener, while also upskilling a teacher who had previous experience with an allotment and fully embraced the sessions.
A wide range of food tastings were included using produce harvested from the allotment, such as rhubarb and custard (which many of the young people hadn’t tried before), as well as apples and raspberries. Alongside the sessions, work was undertaken to prepare the site for wider use, including creating seating areas and making the space more accessible. The teacher brought different student groups to the allotment and grew in confidence to independently lead sessions. Future plans include securing additional funding to upgrade the greenhouse, improve security with a door, and increase propagation to support the next stage of the project.
Tree planting:
Tree planting sessions were delivered at Armitage School with four classes taking part, involving a total of 120 pupils. Over 250 trees were planted across the site, with six different species included: dogwood, silver birch, rowan, hazel, blackthorn and hawthorn.
The trees were provided by the Woodland Trust and planted close together to form a hedgerow, helping to reduce pollution and noise while creating a wildlife-friendly habitat that will benefit birds and other species. All participation was covered through verbal consent, with photographs taken ensuring pupils’ faces were blurred.
Pollinator Surveys:
The Postcode Gardener launched citizen science initiatives, including pollinator surveys. 4 surveys were conducted on areas planted with wildflowers, and were compared to areas that weren’t planted. By comparing pollinator activity in worked-on vs. untouched ‘control’ areas, volunteers helped to gather valuable biodiversity data and monitor designated green zones, supporting environmental education and long-term evaluation of impact.
This initiative was undertaken across 111 areas in the UK, with greening plots supported on average 262% more pollinators per survey than control plots.
Future Plans
A community litter pick and social get-together will take place to help establish a new Friends of West Gorton group, encouraging community involvement and the use of the park space for future events.
Want to keep up to date with activities happening? Check out the Postcode Gardener digital map!
This project was made possible thanks to funding and support from the The Co-operative Bank and Friends of the Earth
