Investing in Spaces and Places Funding – MyColdhurst

Last year MyColdhurst received one of our Investing in Spaces and Places grants for £19,520, via Asda Chadderton. Their goal was to raise funds to support their Little Green Social Spaces project, where they transform alleyways into welcoming and vibrant community spaces, providing platforms to bring everyone together.

Coldhurst is recognised as one of the most deprived areas in the UK with poverty, social exclusion and anti-social behaviour being common factors within the area. This can lead to children underachieving in school and high rates of unemployment for adults.

MyColdhurst recognise that activities they offer need to either be free or low-cost and by turning alleyways into welcoming community spaces, they are providing a free platform for the community to gather. Local residents are encouraged to take part in the clean up of the space, teaching them maintenance skills and instilling a sense of pride in where they live.

MyColdhurst team have a huge impact in our community.  They look after our neighbourhood and provide key sporting and wellbeing sessions for young people in the community.  They are to be highly commended as the service they provide on a voluntary basis is priceless.  well done everyone!!

MyColdhurst service user

The Groups Little Green Social Spaces encourage local residents to get involved in planting and environmental initiatives, unlocking the positive wellbeing benefits of community participation and access to natural spaces.

Asda Foundation’s funding will support the transformation of three alleyways into community hubs, accessible for all to enjoy. Local residents will work together with volunteers from MyColdhurst to:

• Co-develop transformation ideas.
• Train in techniques such as no dig planting, simple woodwork and bush maintenance.
• Support clearance and clean-up activities.
• Support with community monitoring of fly tipping/ anti-social activity.
• Maintain the spaces (post-project) and arrange community get-togethers.

Funding received will be used to support the clean-up, install plants, floodlights, bird feeders, bug hotels and more, providing their local residents the opportunity to step into nature and connect with their community. The project’s long-term vision is that this will prevent fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, which will be deterred by installing floodlights.

We are immensely proud and humbled to have received this huge grant award from the Asda foundation.  It is much needed to support investment in the local community of Coldhurst and help transform the area into one which everyone has a belonging, and one which everyone is proud of.  Loving where they live and proud to call it their home.  Thanks again to The Asda Foundation, the Mycoldhurst team will invest and use the funds to make significant change, improvement and transformation for the local community.

Sadrul Alam, Treasurer, MyColdhurst

The Little Green Social Spaces project empowers the local community, making a long-term difference and supports resident ownership of their new green space. Transformed areas will also be used as a celebration point, to hold summer parties and events at Christmas and Eid, bringing the surrounding community together to celebrate.