Connecting People with Nature in The Medlock Valley
Background
Groundwork Greater Manchester are working with The Conservation Volunteers, City of Trees, Mersey Rivers Trust, Canal and Rivers Trust and alongside Manchester, Oldham and Tameside councils to deliver the Medlock Valley Restoration Project.
Funded by the UK Government’s Species Survival Fund, the aim of the project is to halt the decline of important species like Bats, Water Voles, Willow Tits, Great Crested Newts and Waxcap fungi by improving vital habitats along the River Medlock. We’ll be working alongside local communities in Manchester, Oldham and Tameside, giving them the opportunity to be involved in practical conservation work and learn all about the species we’re working to protect.
Our Approach
Groundwork and our partners will be hosting a variety of activities and events to engage with the local community. We want to connect people, schools and businesses with the nature on their doorsteps through practical volunteering, family-friendly events and wellbeing activities.
The Story So Far
Wellbeing sessions at Clayton Vale Green Community Hub
Since June, TCV have been running weekly sessions at Clayton Vale Green Community Hub. Alternating between practical volunteer work and wellbeing activities, the sessions are giving local people the opportunity to connect with and learn about the wildlife at Clayton Vale, and get involved with helping us to preserve it.
The sessions aim to boost peoples mental wellbeing by creating a safe and relaxed environment for people to connect with nature, learn green skills and meet new people.
Summer events
Over the Summer holidays, partners held a few events across our sites to engage with local children and families about wildlife in the Medlock Valley. Groundwork were joined by City of Trees for a family fun day at Sunnybank Vale, and TCV held a nature fun day at Clayton Vale.
We had lots of nature-themed activities on offer across these events, from badge making, sports and wildlife colouring sheets, to pond dipping and identifying invertebrate species!
Bat Walks
Groundwork and TCV invited people to join guided Bat walks in Clayton Vale, Sunnybank Vale and Lees Brook Nature Reserve to catch a glimpse of these fascinating creatures before they go into hibernation. The team shared their knowledge of Bats and tips for spotting them, and we provided everyone with special monitoring devices to listen to the Bats calls!
It was a nice evening doing something a bit different. The kids loved searching around to find the bats.
Walking the Medlock Way
Groundwork held an exciting 2-day event at the end of Summer where we invited people from all over Manchester to walk The Medlock Way – an 11 mile stretch of the river running from Oldham to Manchester.
Starting in Lees Brook Nature Reserve in Oldham, we walked and litter-picked our way along the River Medlock, taking in the sights, sounds and wildlife of the Medlock Valley before ending in Pin Mill Brow in Manchester. Each day ended with free food, drinks and nature-themed craft activities!
We were joined by people and community groups who have been looking after the Medlock for years, and a few people who are looking to learn more and get involved with helping to restore habitats in the Medlock Valley.
What else are we doing?
Project partners are also delivering a programme of green skills training alongside habitat improvement works to equip people with the necessary knowledge and skills to facilitate climate action and upskill the workforce.
This project has been made possible thanks to funding from the UK Government’s Species Survival Fund.
