Hulme Community Garden Centre
A unique community-led garden centre underpinned by organic principles, providing a plant nursery, community gardens, recreation and leisure facilities, and education in gardening, conservation, sustainability, food growing and nutrition.
Support Hulme Community Garden Centre
HCGC is a garden centre with a difference that makes a difference.
They launched a successful Green Spaces Fund project to create a 'Biodiverse Play Area' back in Round 3 of the fund. Now, they're looking to develop their community offering even further with corporate support.
See the drop down list below for detailed project information, pricing and plans.
Email info@gmet.org.uk with the subject line 'Bloom Hub: Hulme Community Garden Centre' if you're interested in funding any of these project ideas.
Project Idea #1: Woodworking Workshop Solar Panel & Battery
Funding Required: £12,000
Summary:
We fundraised £40,000 over 2024-25 for a new workshop building for our highly popular Woodworking Project – which was often 500% over-subscribed in 2023.
To enable us to efficiently run our workshop power tools, lights & heating, we are hoping to install a 3.5kwp solar panel array with a battery so that our sun-facing roof can get as close to providing all our workshop power needs as possible.
People with mental/physical health issues, SEND, single adults & young people suffering from isolation or other exclusions have all gained knowledge and experience that has helped give purpose and self-confidence; working on their own projects or producing items for our social enterprise (e.g. bird boxes), external projects, or imaginative or practical additions to our community gardens (e.g. sculptures, raised beds). The MMU Hulme campus has many of our planters, as does the Castlefield Viaduct Linear Park.
Resources Needed:
• 3.5kwp solar panel array - £7,000
• solar panel battery - £5,000
Anticipated Measurable Outcomes:
• These volunteering opportunities provide new skills & knowledge for all age groups, and participants experience positive impacts on mental/physical health [95% surveyed] through working surrounded by nature and doing physical work, and report less isolation/loneliness [90%] - many going on to paid work or further training e.g. an excluded 15 year old secured a place on a Joinery course at Stockport College.
• Such power provision will not just be environmentally beneficial, but it will enable HCGC to afford to run sessions throughout the year (including the darker, colder months), increasing the numbers of volunteers who will benefit each year. We aim to be able to double the number of participants from 2023, to 50 per year.
• Workshop volunteers will also be instrumental in forthcoming projects in 2026, such as the new Food Growing & Healthy Eating programme (engaging both school age children and adults), which will require the construction of new raised beds & planters, and the creation of new Composting facilities (involving a heavy duty timber design & build) – with additional environmental benefits (a lowered carbon footprint and enlivened soils) and educational opportunities for young & old.
Project Idea #2: Woodworking Workshop Infrared Heating Panels
Funding Required: £998
Summary:
We would like to install two highly energy and space efficient ceiling-mounted infrared heating panels into our new Woodworking Workshop building. It will mean our workshop can function year round, ensuring that our volunteers (some in wheelchairs or with limited mobility) are warm enough. They will also save valuable floor space currently occupied by conventional heaters.
Resources Needed:
• Two 800w infrared heating panels - £798
• Electrician to install panels - £200
Anticipated Measurable Outcomes:
• This heating provision will not just be environmentally beneficial, but it will help enable HCGC to afford to run sessions throughout the year (including the darker, colder months), increasing the numbers of volunteers who will benefit each year. We aim to be able to double the number of participants from 2023, to 50 per year.
• Workshop volunteers will also be instrumental in forthcoming projects in 2026, such as the new Food Growing & Healthy Eating programme (engaging both school age children and adults), which will require the construction of new raised beds & planters, and the creation of new Composting facilities (involving a heavy duty timber design & build) – with additional environmental benefits (a lowered carbon footprint and enlivened soils) and educational opportunities for young & old.
Project Idea #3: Straw Bale Classroom Roof Repair
Funding Required: £3,000 (or in kind contractor time & materials)
Summary:
We would like to get the roof membrane repaired on the Straw Bale Classroom we self-built in 2010. A small leak in one area is causing damp (and cold), and restricting the use of this facility.
Our Classroom is used by school parties, groups of children or adults, community groups and others, for training activities, meetings or community events. It is usually cool in summer and warm in winter, so particularly useful when the weather is a bit too extreme for prolonged outdoor pursuits.
A repair to the section of the membrane which is leaking (which is under our Green Roof) would enable us to bring the building back into full, year-round use.
Anticipated Measurable Outcomes:
Returning this building to full usability will benefit over 500 users of all ages each year taking part in HCGC-run activities, and open up opportunities for HCGC to generate social enterprise income from hiring-out the space as a venue for social & professional/vocational uses.
Project Location
Our mission is to bring communities together through gardening.
