Meet our Green Spaces Fund Advisors
Our Green Spaces Fund Advisors are on hand to support any residents or groups looking to apply to the Green Spaces Fund, offering expert advice on how to shape a strong application and guiding applicants through the process step by step.
Find out more about our team of advisors below - and do reach out to your local advisor if you want to talk about any great green ideas you have for your area!
Manchester & Trafford
Kieron McGlasson is the Green Spaces Fund Advisor for Manchester and Trafford, and works for Sow the City.
Having grown up in the Lake District, Kieron has always been inspired by the natural world and its multiple benefits.
His work combines his passions for food growing, environmental conscience and commitment to assets-based community development to help create greener and healthier places.
For advice about starting a Green Spaces Fund project in Manchester or Trafford, contact kieron@sowthecity.org
Stockport & Tameside
Nina Jerome is a Green Spaces Fund Advisor for Stockport and Tameside, and works for City of Trees.
Nina is a Project Officer delivering tree planting, woodland management, and community engagement projects all over Greater Manchester. She has a passion for enhancing wildlife habitats for people and nature alike, in the places that need it most.
Her enthusiasm has led her to create opportunities for underrepresented groups, allowing participants to acquire job-related skills, get to know their local green spaces, and enhance their health and well-being through interactions with nature.
For advice about starting a Green Spaces Fund project in Stockport or Tameside, contact nina@cityoftrees.org.uk
Bolton & Bury
Susan Whittle is the Green Spaces Fund Advisor for Bolton and Bury, and works for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust.
Susan believes that nature should be accessible for all and has experience of working with communities to overcome barriers to accessing green spaces.
She enjoys finding innovative and creative ways to help people learn about nature and develop a deeper connection with our environment for physical and mental wellbeing.
For advice about starting a Green Spaces Fund project in Bolton or Bury, contact gsfadvisor@lancswt.org.uk.
Rochdale
Lizzie Meade is the Green Spaces Fund Advisor covering Rochdale. She is a Community Project Lead at Groundwork GM, joining in 2024 and working on several community-led projects across Greater Manchester.
With a background in primary school teaching and forest school delivery, Lizzie now works with groups of all ages, bringing together her experience and passion for gardening, outdoor play and growing food. She's even set up a community garden in her own neighbourhood in Levenshulme which received funding from the Green Spaces Fund in an earlier round.
For advice about starting a Green Spaces Fund project in Rochdale, contact Lizzie: lizzie.meade@groundwork.org.uk
Oldham & Salford
Nina Agnew is the Green Spaces Fund Advisor covering Oldham & Salford, and works for the Royal Horticultural Society.
She joined the RHS team in August 2022 and is a qualified Horticulturist, having previously worked as a Gardener for the National Trust and at a 2 Michelin starred restaurant.
She brings experience of volunteer management, organic food growing, orchard management and gardening for biodiversity amongst other things. Her work focuses on inspiring everyone to create, grow and improve their green spaces in deprived urban areas.
For advice about starting a Green Spaces Fund project in Oldham or Salford, contact Nina: ninaagnew@rhs.org.uk
Wigan
Stephen Hodges is the Green Spaces Fund Advisor for Wigan, and works for Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside as a community project manager.
With 17 years’ experience of working with communities to develop and improve green open spaces, Stephen specialises in the preparation of project plans and funding applications.
He's helped develop projects of various scale, including municipal parks and gardens, local nature reserves, regional parks, sports pitches, play facilities, community food growing projects and allotments.
Contact Stephen: stephen.hodges@groundwork.org.uk
