Kieron kicking off the GBSAN launch event at Castlefield Viaduct
Last month, we joined our friends Sow the City at Castlefield Viaduct to launch the Green & Blue Spaces Action Network (GBSAN).
GBSAN is a brand new initiative to connect residents, organisations and community groups across Greater Manchester who are working to improve access to nature across the city region.
We sat down with Kieron McGlasson, Director of Sow the City and one of our Green Spaces Fund advisors, to find out more about this exciting new project...
Sow the City have been involved in a number of fantastic projects in recent years, including Growing Manchester, Nature for Health, the GMEF's Green Spaces Fund and Nature Neighbourhoods.
Through these, we have seen the huge social and environmental impact that grass roots communities and VCFSE groups are having in Greater Manchester through amazing green and blue projects. There seems to be a lot of energy and a movement forming, particularly since Andy Burnham established the Green Spaces Fund in his 2021 manifesto.
In June 2024, we were asked to present a snapshot of these projects at the Food Security Action Network, which is part of GM Networks Connect. After our presentation, the Mayor asked us to scope and lead this new "Green and Blue Spaces Action Network".
GM Networks Connect is a newly formed ‘network of networks’, combining various action networks, partnerships and task groups in Greater Manchester, connecting work on social justice and climate justice. It involves bottom-up action across Greater Manchester to improve our places and increase support for people in need.
Lucy and Kieron from Sow The City at the GBSAN launch event
There is such momentum at the moment from groups wanting to improve their communities for people and planet, that we felt we needed a platform to enable networking, learning and the sharing of best practice.
For example, a group called 'Easy Come Easy Grow' from Newton Heath has rapidly expanded from being a small group of tenants wanting to improve their community, to an energetic and growing CIC less than 6 months later. The key to their success? Networking. They have visited countless other community gardens and nature projects across GM and beyond. This coworking and sharing, pulling on the highly philanthropic nature of community leaders and stars, has been central to their success. Indeed the group have stated:
"We want to create a community garden space that is accessible, inclusive and eco-friendly. A place for others like ourselves to feel comfortable and safe in an area that lacks security. We have been networking amongst other community gardens in the whole of Manchester who are willing to offer their expertise and advice when we get things set up." - Kelly Robinson, founder of Easy Come Easy Grow
Kieron kicking off the GBSAN launch event at Castlefield Viaduct
Phew! The capacity of the amazing Castlefield Viaduct, limited as it is, sparked the idea to do three consultation events in one day; morning, afternoon and evening. We were blown away that the free tickets for these were snapped up so quickly, with 130 people registering to attend.
Each event fostered a real energy of discussion. We had a healthy mix of attendees from grass roots groups and dedicated professionals from across the city region, many from the community development world. We have been inundated with ideas and suggestions, many tapping into socially innovative approaches for how this network can establish and function.
We are currently pulling everything into a paper to feedback to the Mayor and other partners – so watch this space!
The GBSAN launch events were very well attended - and lively!
Have confidence that they can realise their dreams. Ultimately, this work goes way beyond nice green and blue spaces - creating jobs, boosting physical and mental health, providing locally grown food and helping to address climate and biodiversity emergencies!
I would suggest the first port of call would be to reach out to a Green Spaces Fund Advisor in your area:
A huge amount of ideas were generated during the consultation sessions.
We feel one obvious action will be to establish an online platform as a central hub for this network, as well as hosting regular events to bring people together in person. Three more events will take place through 2025 for example.
Until such a hub is created however, and we are busy looking at the funding required to do this, please contact Sow the City, FAO Kieron McGlasson, on [email protected] or visit www.sowthecity.org
With thanks to Wates Family Enterprise Trust for funding our time to be able to spend on this, and the National Trust for generously hosting the events.
