Our story so far
In 2004 the national charity GreenSpace was developing regional forums across the country on behalf of CABE Space and a successful collaboration with the North West Parks and Green Spaces Forum resulted in GreenSpace North West.
Prior to this a large number of North West local authorities had met as local groups to work together in sharing information and best practice. This dedication to seeking advice and sharing experiences is unique to the North West with over 150 North West green space people networking today. In fact, records date back to 1908 when Lancashire councils sought each others support on Bowling Green provisions. Such evidence demonstrates the commitment of green space practitioners to unite as GreenSpace North West in order to improve the quality of the region’s parks and green spaces.
A steering group was established early in 2004 where working practices were agreed and many North West local authorities joined the forum by the end of the year in time for an official launch at Manchester Town Hall. A full time Forum Manager was appointed and in June 2005 the first Working Group was formed by the Steering Group.
Since 2007 the Forum has had three working groups, has regular meetings in each of the sub-regions, runs an active email network and holds regular events. It has done two research reports and developed a web resource to support those working with the community in green spaces. Forum Manager, Ros Johnson left GreenSpace North West in June 2007. Kirsty Rhind began in 2007 and is based from home, near Burnley.
More recent developments include establishing a newsletter for the e-mail network, structuring group meetings and planning a series of monthly task related workshops to support the groups. A new project group is in development to tackle issues such as crime and disorder, access, sustainability and adapting to climate change.
Strong links have been established on joint initiatives with GreenSpace and the other regional forums and these will continue to develop. For example, the community web development has contributed to a national online support network for community groups working in parks and green spaces. Here, the North West community groups are in touch with others, with access to information, fact sheets and case studies from across the country.
During 2009, the focus was to develop the Forum across the region, establishing partnerships and influencing regional decision-making. Click here fore organisations GreenSpace North West works with in the region. Going forward our priority will be to sustain the forum and secure funding.
Prior to this a large number of North West local authorities had met as local groups to work together in sharing information and best practice. This dedication to seeking advice and sharing experiences is unique to the North West with over 150 North West green space people networking today. In fact, records date back to 1908 when Lancashire councils sought each others support on Bowling Green provisions. Such evidence demonstrates the commitment of green space practitioners to unite as GreenSpace North West in order to improve the quality of the region’s parks and green spaces.
A steering group was established early in 2004 where working practices were agreed and many North West local authorities joined the forum by the end of the year in time for an official launch at Manchester Town Hall. A full time Forum Manager was appointed and in June 2005 the first Working Group was formed by the Steering Group.
Since 2007 the Forum has had three working groups, has regular meetings in each of the sub-regions, runs an active email network and holds regular events. It has done two research reports and developed a web resource to support those working with the community in green spaces. Forum Manager, Ros Johnson left GreenSpace North West in June 2007. Kirsty Rhind began in 2007 and is based from home, near Burnley.
More recent developments include establishing a newsletter for the e-mail network, structuring group meetings and planning a series of monthly task related workshops to support the groups. A new project group is in development to tackle issues such as crime and disorder, access, sustainability and adapting to climate change.
Strong links have been established on joint initiatives with GreenSpace and the other regional forums and these will continue to develop. For example, the community web development has contributed to a national online support network for community groups working in parks and green spaces. Here, the North West community groups are in touch with others, with access to information, fact sheets and case studies from across the country.
During 2009, the focus was to develop the Forum across the region, establishing partnerships and influencing regional decision-making. Click here fore organisations GreenSpace North West works with in the region. Going forward our priority will be to sustain the forum and secure funding.
Geographical Area
GreenSpace North West covers Cheshire, Cumbria, Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.If you are not in the North West region, there may be a forum in your area. All forums work collectively to advocate the benefits of quality parks and green spaces and GreenSpace North West welcomes anyone form outside the region to get in touch to share and learn from each other. You may wish to support your local forum develop further which GreenSpace and those regions with managers in post, like GreenSpace North West will be able to help you with. To find out about other regional forums go to the GreenSpace website regional forums page.