I walked into Deeplish Community Centre in Rochdale on one of the hottest days of 2025. But if I thought the sun was warm, it was nothing compared to the warmth of the greeting I received from the staff, volunteers and children who were there that day.

It was a Saturday, meaning that the centre’s ‘Saturday Club’ was in full swing: with young kids and teens watering all the plants in the community garden, playing football, table tennis and archery on the field, and generally enjoying this green oasis in their urban neighbourhood. 

Deeplish Community Centre is representing Rochdale in our ‘Green Spaces Stories’ series. I sat down with Sohail Ahmed, Operations Manager, to find out more about their inspiring project. 

1. Hello Sohail. Can you tell us about the backstory of your project?  

The idea for our project came about during the pandemic, when it became increasingly clear how essential access to nature is for our mental and physical wellbeing. Our local area is urban and has limited green space, so residents felt this lack acutely. 

We decided to get the local community involved in developing a garden at the community centre and around the building, ultimately with the hope of creating a space of growth, learning and healing where residents felt more connected to nature. 

We decided to pursue Green Spaces Funding because it aligns perfectly with our goals: to support nature-based solutions, enhance biodiversity, and ensure equitable access to green spaces for everyone.

Not only have we made the area behind our centre more beautiful to look at, but we’ve also made a place where the community can experience a healthy urban environment. 

2. What did you hope to achieve with your project? To what extent have you been able to accomplish your goals? 

We wanted to create an accessible, welcoming green space that could be a base for education, community engagement and improve local biodiversity. We knew we had to revitalise the underused land we had and turn it into a thriving natural space. We wanted to engage local residents, especially young people, through hands-on workshops and volunteer opportunities. 

To date, we’ve made significant progress toward these goals. 

We have successfully transformed the bare grass area at our centre into a functional green space with over 100 native plants, seating areas, and educational signage.  

We have inspired our neighbours to grow fruit and vegetables, particularly food with cultural significance like melons.  

Hundreds of community members have participated in our events, ranging from tree planting and composting workshops to our Saturday kid’s club and summer holiday programme.   

While there’s still more we’d like to achieve, like installing solar lighting and expanding our educational programme, we’re proud of the momentum we’ve built here.

3. What is the biggest impact your project has had?  

The biggest impact of our project has been bringing the community together through nature. Over 200 children and young people and 150 adults have taken part in activities like planting, workshops, and clean-up days. 

For many young people, it was their first hands-on experience with nature, and they’ve taken real pride in helping care for the space. Adults have also come together across age and background, building a stronger sense of local connection. 

We’ve also seen clear signs of biodiversity improvement, with more pollinators and native plants thriving. What was once a neglected space is now a vibrant, shared asset for the whole community. 

4. What has been the most challenging aspect of bringing your project to life? 

The most challenging aspect of the project was sustaining volunteer engagement over time, especially outside of big events. Initially enthusiasm was high when we launched the project, but getting people to regularly volunteer, particularly for daily tasks like watering and upkeep, was difficult. 

To address this, we’ve started building a core group of local “green ambassadors”, including residents and youth leaders, who take turns managing the space and encouraging others to stay involved. We also plan to partner with local schools and community groups to keep momentum going. 

5. In relation to your project, what are you proudest of?  

We’re proudest of how the project has brought people together and created a sense of community ownership.

What started as a small idea has grown into a space that’s now cared for, used, and loved by so many, especially the children and young people who’ve truly made it their own. Seeing our neighbours take pride in the space, return regularly, and even bring friends or family along has been incredibly rewarding.

It’s a reminder that when people feel connected to nature and to each other, real change happens. 

6. What’s coming next? 

Next, we plan to build on the success of the space by expanding its use and reach. This includes introducing seasonal planting sessions, more nature-based workshops, and developing a small outdoor classroom area for local schools and groups. 

We’re also looking to secure ongoing funding and partnerships to support maintenance, host community-led events, and explore opportunities to replicate the project in other nearby spaces.

Our goal is to ensure the space remains vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable for years to come. 

7.  How has the funding from the Green Spaces Fund aided your project?  

The Green Spaces Fund has been absolutely essential to the success of our project. It provided the resources we needed to turn our ideas into reality: from buying plants, tools, and materials to covering costs for community events and workshops. 

Without this support, we wouldn’t have been able to involve so many people or create such a high-quality, welcoming space.

We would absolutely recommend the fund to others, especially anyone who wants to help their community get healthier and more connected. 

8. What advice would you give to a group in Greater Manchester who wanted to launch their own Green Spaces Fund project?  

Our biggest advice is: start with your community. Talk to local residents early on, and listen to their ideas, needs, and concerns. This builds support and ensures your project reflects what people really want. 

Also, keep it manageable at first. Focus on achievable goals and grow from there. It’s better to do something small and do it well than to take on too much too soon. 

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help because collaboration is key, and there are so many people and groups willing to support green space projects across Greater Manchester. 

9. How can people get involved if they’d like to know more about your project?   

We’d love for more people to get involved! We run weekly gardening sessions and host regular volunteer days, seasonal events, and workshops that are open to all ages and abilities.

People can find us on Facebook, Instagram and X, email info@deeplishcc.co.uk, or just drop by the centre and say hello - we’re always happy to welcome new faces.