Backing Brinnington: a model of resident-led change

Ahead of ‘Community Power: Legacy, learning and leading change in Brinnington’ event on Wednesday 18th March 2026, Michaela Howell, Head of Communities & Neighbourhoods at Groundwork Greater Manchester reflects on 10 years working alongside the Brinnington community.

Sustainable change in Brinnington has not come from new services and programmes; it has come from finding, connecting, and backing neighbours to step up, take action and make decisions about the place they love. After all, they are the true experts of their neighbourhood.

The partnership between Groundwork Greater Manchester and Brinnington Big Local demonstrates that when organisations stop trying to “fix” a community from the outside and instead “support from behind,” results are more meaningful and sustainable.

Brinnington Big Local was one of a hundred and fifty areas to receive £1 million in Lottery funding across 10 years. A local committee of residents were responsible for spending decisions, guided by a local partnership group and Groundwork Greater Manchester was their chosen ‘locally trusted organisation’, providing financial management services and project management support to ensure the effective implementation of the Partnership’s objectives.

Groundwork’s approach

Our work is built on the belief that the most effective and lasting change comes from within the community. We empower local residents to work together in taking action in support of their neighbourhoods. This approach is not about a top-down mandate; it’s about providing support, resources, and a framework for sustainability. Our core principles are:

Local ownership and leadership: the community is empowered to make decisions and lead projects for community benefit.
Inclusive participation: everyone in the community has a voice and we aim to create opportunities for all residents to contribute their ideas and effort.
Share local knowledge & expertise: residents are the true experts on their own communities and bring knowledge of local ecology, history, and social dynamics which is invaluable.
Build capacity: we provide training and support to help groups develop the skills they need to be effective leaders and stewards.
Build partnerships: we facilitate connections between local groups, agencies, and other organisations. By working together, we can achieve more than we ever could alone.

In Brinnington, we provided the ‘scaffolding’ required for residents to turn their ideas into reality. Working with community leaders and partners committed to empowering residents, we saw a shift in perspective; a recognition that community-led solutions can address challenges in a more effective way as they recognise the invisible social threads that can make or break the solution.

Brinnington Big Local’s priorities

Brinnington Big Local utilised greening projects to reclaim public spaces and improve community health and wellbeing. From supporting the Green Thumbs allotment group to expand and develop plans for a market garden, to responding to community demand for a covid memorial garden, they have harnessed the interests and skills of their neighbours to build connections with nature and with each other, reducing isolation and improving wellbeing.

The Green Thumbs community garden has become a classroom and a sanctuary. Local residents who once felt isolated meet to grow vegetables together, share food, and learn new skills together. The shared act of gardening builds social connections, which are vital for health. As one participant said: “This was the first place I felt truly welcome after moving here.”

Reflecting on the creation of the Covid Memorial Garden, one resident said, “The neighbourhood just wrapped their arms round one another, new friends were made and it gave everyone a sense of belonging.”

They also reclaimed a vacant shop to create a Community Hub. With support from Great Places, they created an accessible and welcoming community space; the front door to a range of preventative health and wellbeing services and activities that they have helped to shape. For example, creating a Warm Hub where 1,200 people received wellbeing support, benefits and energy saving advice and food vouchers. “a gentleman comes in almost every day and all he wants is a hot brew and just that tiny little bit of human engagement.”

A safety net made of neighbours

Perhaps the most powerful message from Brinnington Big Local’s story is how the community looks after its own during tough times. When residents felt that traditional domestic abuse services were too hard to reach, they co-designed the Orange Umbrella Project, a network of over 250 volunteers creating “safe havens” across the estate with support from Ongoing Women’s Local Support who provided a regular advice service. After its launch, reported incidents in the area dropped from 25 in a single month to just three.

In addition, Green Thumbs Community Garden provides a safe space for hosting tailored support groups, for example, it provides a confidential and non-clinical setting where women experiencing domestic abuse come together for social support. The shared act of therapeutic gardening helps to reduce isolation and offers a chance to talk and find calm and connection without stigma.

The Legacy

This hasn’t been a short-term project; it’s a ten-year journey of strengthening community leadership and upskilling volunteers.

Groundwork’s message for the community of Brinnington is, you have the heart and the power to achieve your ambitions for Brinnington and with the right support you can continue to shape your future.