Working In Green Spaces
Greater Manchester Green and Blue Spaces Action Network meeting at the Barn, Philips Park (3rd June, 2026)
Introduction
Bury is proud of its green spaces and is home to several green flag parks. We have also just launched the Right to Grow which will allow residents to grow food on unused council owned green spaces. Our green spaces are maintained by a dedicated collective of community organisations. Below are some information and resources suitable for new groups and established green groups.
Types of Groups Working in Bury Green Spaces
There are many types of groups that work in green spaces:
Friends of a Park
This type of group undertakes work in a particular park to keep it neat and tidy. ‘Friends of’ groups may also host events in the park to help increase visitors to the park.
Right to Grow - Community Growing Group
Bury Council have recently approved the Right to Grow on their unused green space land. This type of group will manage a community growing plot. For further information on the Right to Grow, please visit the Incredible Edible Prestwich website
Woodland Management
This type of group manages wooded areas and will undertake heavier work such as chopping wood and maintaining trees.
Litter Picking
Litter picking groups are often informal groups of residents looking to tidy up their street. In Bury we have an umbrella organisation called Keep Bury Clean who can help you get started with litter picking. Contact keepburyclean@gmail.com for more information.
Balsam Bashing
Balsam Bashing groups work to remove the invasive species, Himalayan Balsam. Work will take place during balsam season before the plant has flowered to prevent the spread of seeds.
Civic Pride
Civic Pride groups cover a whole town or village and work to keep in neat and tidy. Activities may include litter picking and maintaining planters of flowers. The work may take place on public or private land and may require permission from multiple landowners.
Activities
Your group’s activities will determine the type of risk assessment, personal protective equipment and insurance that you will need.
As a community group working in a green space, you will be responsible for maintaining the area as agreed with the landowner. This may include clearing dropped litter, weeding and maintain your plants.
Community groups working in council owned parks will not be responsible for maintaining paths, trees or buildings (unless you hold a lease agreement that covers this). If you hold a lease or licence agreement for the land, this will cover what you can and can’t do. Please refer to this prior to starting any new projects.
Bury Council have a volunteer rangers team that can support you with heavier work such as chopping wood and creating dead hedges.
Removal of dangerous invasive species such as Giant Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed should be undertaken by a trained council employee. You can report these plants for removal via the council website
Starting a New Group
If you are starting a new group, you will need the following:
- Permission from the landowner
- A minimum of three people to form the committee
- A governing document
- Policies
- Insurance that covers your activities, equipment, volunteers and committee’s liability
- A bank account
For further information about starting a new group, please see our ‘Getting started’ factsheets
Recruiting Volunteers
All green groups will need a dedicated team of volunteers to support with their work, particularly during growing season. If you are working on council owned land, Bury Council has a dedicated Officer to support you with recruiting volunteers to support your work. Contact Kathy Taylor, Bury Council Volunteering and Development Officer for further details Kathryn.Taylor@bury.gov.uk
Due to the nature of your work, you may also have ad-hoc volunteers who support with the occasional work party. In these circumstances it is still important to do an induction and health and safety talk with all new volunteers, even if they will only be joining you for one session.
As outdoor work can be physically demanding, it is important to have a range of volunteer roles and tasks available to ensure that your group is inclusive and welcoming to everyone. If you need support with writing volunteer roles or policies, please contact our volunteering team for further information volunteering@buryvcfa.org.uk
North West In Bloom
If your group grows flowers, vegetables or trees, you may want to enter the North West in Bloom community competition called It’s Your Neighbourhood. This is a great way to get recognition for all your hard work, and you will be invited to am awards ceremony to collect your certificate.
In 2025, six groups in Bury received a Level 5 Outstanding award for their community gardens and allotments.
It is free to enter, and applications close at the end of March each year. You can find out more on the North West in Bloom website
Funding
- GM Green Spaces - The GM Green Spaces fund is an annual fund offered by the GMCA to support with larger projects. The Green Spaces Fund, launched by Andy Burnham and distributed by the Greater Manchester Environment Trust, helps community groups increase the amount of accessible, nature-rich green space where people need it most.
- Forever Manchester - Forever Manchester offers small grants of around £2,000 that can be used to support with the running costs of your group including admin and insurance. They have several rounds per year and their grants are suitable for new community groups. Please note, that you can only hold two Forever Manchester grants at the same time.
- Bury VCFA Grants - Bury VCFA offer a range of local grants that may be suitable for your group. Become a member to keep up to date with our current grants offer. Membership | Bury VCFA
Donations
- Recycle for Greater Manchester Compost - Recycle for Greater Manchester offers community groups one tonne of compost per year, delivered in a single order.
- Treestation Wood Chippings -Treestation offer a community benefit scheme of low cost woodchippings for community projects. Loose woodchip: approx. 1 tonne/8ft van load, £66 inc. VAT. Contact: Patricia Spray patricia@treestation.co.uk or 0161 231 3333
- Trees - There are tree donation schemes where you can request native trees including fruit trees for orchards.
The Woodland Trust offers free tree packs of 15, 30, 105 or 420 saplings for schools and community groups. The Tree Council is offering donations of tree whips in collaboration with The National Highways. You can apply for a selection of tree species, with orders of between 500 – 50,000 whips per application.
Resources
- Insurance Factsheet Bury VCFA Factsheet Guide for Insurance for groups
- Insurance for Litter Picking Groups
- Health and Safety Executive HSE Information about health and safety at work
- Invasive Species Invasive non-native plants RHS Advice
- Gardening tips from the Royal Horticultural Society Gardening tips & advice for growing your own plants, fruit & veg
- Training from The Royal Horticultural Society Courses and workshops
Further Support From Bury VCFA
For help with setting up a new group, funding, policies and procedures, please contact our Capacity Building Team to make an appointment to discuss further: fundinganddevelopment@buryvcfa.org.uk
For help with volunteering including writing role descriptions and onboarding procedures, please contact our volunteering team: volunteering@buryvcfa.org.uk
