From community groups and charities to businesses and schools, we believe that everyone has a role to play in helping nature recovery across Greater Manchester. We’ll be shining a spotlight on the passionate individuals who are already leading the way – our Local Nature Champions.
Michelle Gondo is Project Coordinator at Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, who received Green Spaces Fund backing in 2023.
Tell us about your project
The Brotherhood Peace Garden Project has been borne from the fact that Moss Side is within the top ten most disadvantaged and deprived areas within Manchester and was in great need of more green spaces that target the nurturing of our over-developed community.
In support of combating the climate and the food crisis, we have created a highly visible and accessible community garden for food growing / pollinator-friendly plants, therapy and education, with an additional aim of nurturing community cohesion and promoting positive activities to address social isolation and economic deprivation.
With all thanks to the Greater Manchester Environment Fund, The Brotherhood Peace Project has successfully transformed an unused car park into a thriving green space that is accessed by children and young people from the local youth and community centre, ESOL groups from a local Advice Link and local community members engaging in an aspiring gardening club.
How did you first get involved in nature recovery?
Brotherhood of the Cross and Star Church is a Charitable Organisation situated in the heart of the Moss Side Community. It has been serving and working with the Local Community and Local Organisations for over 34 years. The organisation’s overarching aim is to undertake charitable and humanitarian activities.
I have been a member of the church since childhood, and over the years I have had many roles within the organisation, mainly as secretary to different fellowships and committees set up to reach out to our local communities. Prior to the Garden Project, we would run open kitchen events and reach out to neighbouring organisations, like neonatal units, homeless hostels and foodbanks, supporting them with provision of food, toiletries and clothing items.
When we heard about the Green Spaces Fund, it sparked so much excitement at the possibility of being able to better share an outdoor space with the community. The community garden is a genuine gift that keeps giving; we get to share learning, share food, share an appreciation for nature, and even witness how the pollinators are doing their part by introducing the bees and butterflies to the space.
What do you think nature offers Greater Manchester?
Biodiverse gardens and food-growing projects are the catalysts for pushing the communities forward by creating learning environments for groups to develop an appreciation for growing food, sustainable practices, and how and what to plant to support climate change and species loss.
Nature offers Greater Manchester the opportunity to:
- Bring people together in a nurturing environment
- Experience first-hand the benefits of being in a nature-rich environment
- Increase awareness and appreciation of outdoor spaces
Greater Manchester Environment Fund has gained wonderful momentum not only in supporting the biodiversity emergency but has also given local charities, community groups and individuals a new sense of purpose and an awareness that nature can be nurtured even in highly urbanized areas.
What do you think is the single greatest priority for nature recovery in Greater Manchester?
Nature recovery has so many important facets, but I believe the most important element is to create spaces in areas of high deprivation, highly populated and urbanised areas, that can reach individuals that would not normally access green spaces and in return the team effort to increase biodiversity within our local areas continues.
If time and resources weren’t an issue, I believe it would be beneficial if there were a team that solely supported projects with community engagement and liaison, to ensure that funded spaces are being used to their full capacity.
Find out more about our plan for nature recovery
Greater Manchester is currently developing its Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which will set out a blueprint for a more liveable city-region, with fairer access to green space for all.
Find out more including ways to get involved on our nature recovery webpage.
