More than 100 plant and seed packs have been distributed to the community in Hulme by Manchester Metropolitan to help boost wellbeing and encourage residents’ green fingers.
All packs contained what any gardening novice would need: instructions, a herb plant, vegetable seeds, compost and pots.
The University worked with the Hulme Community Garden Centre to create the packs, which can be used even without a garden.
Resources were also created by Manchester Met students which offer information on how people can build their confidence with growing plants and food produce at home.
Josie Sykes, Community Engagement Manager at Manchester Metropolitan, said: “Not everybody has access to a garden and we wanted to support people in the community who may want to start to get growing, particularly those residents in Hulme who may have been socially isolating due to Coronavirus.
“The packs have everything you might need to start growing plants thanks to help from our community partners and students.”
Pauline Campbell, Manchester City Council’s Neighbourhood Officer for Hulme, said: “This has been really positive. It is an excellent venture to support the resilience of people in Hulme and help them move forward during the pandemic. It has been great to work with the University to bring this to fruition.”
Half of the packs went to those who live close to the Birley campus. Tenants from One Manchester and Homes for Change residencies also received packs.
Those socially isolating and without access to outside space have also been encouraged to use the resources to grow plants as part of Get Busy on Your Balcony, a project run by local resident and author Tina Cribbin.
Children from the Aquarius estate and surrounding streets also came together to start a community herb garden with the resources.
The remaining 50 packs have been distributed by the Darul Amaan Mosque and Manchester South Foodbank.
Both projects have distributed thousands of food parcels to local families and vulnerable adults throughout the pandemic.
