The community-driven nature project bringing pollinators and wildflowers back to Wigan

In the urban landscape of Wigan, a passionate community group is sowing the seeds of change—literally.

Give it a Grow Wigan is on a mission to transform the town into a bee-friendly haven, working tirelessly to boost biodiversity and bring wild bees and wildlife back to the area.

Their efforts are crucial, especially as the majority of bee species in the UK face a worrying decline.

Give it a Grow Wigan

Recognising the vital role bees play in our ecosystem, particularly in pollinating plants and securing the fruit and vegetables we depend on, Give it a Grow Wigan aims to counteract the loss of habitat caused by urban expansion, disease, extreme weather, and pesticides.

The group’s efforts extend beyond individual gardens to include the revitalisation of community spaces, enhancing these areas for both visitors and local wildlife.

This initiative aligns perfectly with recent restorative efforts across Wigan’s former coal mining and industrial sites, now flourishing natural spaces like Amberswood and the Leeds Liverpool Canal area.

Free seeds and bulbs

With free seasonal seed and bulb distributions, the group invites residents to cultivate vibrant, pollinator-friendly spaces in their own gardens and community areas.

These pockets of greenery are not just random acts of beauty but the result of dedicated efforts by the Give it a Grow community group—a local initiative striving to make urban spaces greener and more inviting.

St Anne’s Community Garden

Based in their community hub at St Anne’s Community Garden, the team are dedicated to brightening up places with wildflowers across Wigan.

We spoke to Victoria, who is one of the founders of Give It a Grow in Wigan, about why people should get involved with the project.

“During lockdown, I was walking around and kept getting really fed up with plain grass and concrete everywhere,” said Victoria.

“Everyone was just endlessly wandering neighbourhoods, and I wanted a way to also bring people together outdoors. So, I came up with the idea and spoke to my equally nerdy plant friend, Ali.

“We started giving out free wildflower seeds, and it really took off. We’ve handed out over a thousand to date.”

Victoria explained that the seeds were initially distributed by the duo themselves, but as the project grew, they enlisted two more members, Dawn and Michelle, to help keep up with demand.

“It’s amazing! The response has been overwhelming,” she added.

Give it a Grow’s influence can be seen in several areas across Wigan, from Astley to Tyldesley and Beech Hill. Each project is community-led, meaning residents reach out with requests to improve their local green spaces.

“We’re led by people in the neighbourhood who approach us,” Victoria shared.

“We’ve worked in various places, and our main community garden is in Beech Hill.”

The focus on wildflower species and pollinators is not accidental. Victoria emphasised the importance of supporting native UK flower species and using resources like the RHS list of ‘Perfect for Pollinators’ to guide their efforts.

“We like things like ox-eye daisies and yellow rattle, but also use perennials because they come back every year and are less high-maintenance,” Victoria explained.

“They support a variety of different pollinators for every season. For instance, crocus flowers are great for early pollinators.”

One recent success story highlights the group’s impact.

“We recently helped build raised beds filled with flowers and herbs for an NHS Trust in Poolstock. They asked us to help improve their green space for patients and visitors.

“It’s quite new, but they’re so keen and have loads of ideas. We’re meeting with them monthly to keep it going and give expert guidance,” Victoria said.

Community engagement

Community engagement is key to Give it a Grow’s success. “We do a lot of discussions, both formal and informal,” Victoria noted.

“We send out consultations and make sure that enough people care. Our main community garden is open three to four times a month. Anyone can come join us or message us on our socials with ideas. We share handy tips online and give out free flowers to make it easy and beginner-friendly.”

You can find Give it a Grow online by clicking here

Located at St. Anne’s Community Garden in Beech Hill, the group’s home base serves as a hub for their activities.

Gardening has numerous physical and mental benefits, as Victoria points out.

“There’s quite a lot of science backing it up. Even looking at greenery can help. Physically touching the soil has benefits and physical activity is helpful too.

“We hear from people who were anxious but feel much better after joining a session. Kids also get excited and learn about the environment, which is a huge benefit.”

Give it a Grow organises various community events, including Apple Day, where children pick apples and engage in creative activities like printing and painting with the fruit.

“Last Christmas, we held accessible wreath-making workshops with local foliage, keeping costs low,” Victoria added.

What do Give it a Grow have planned for the future?

Looking ahead, the group aspires to expand its reach.

“We want to keep growing and helping more spaces around the borough,” Victoria stated. “Promoting nature-friendly planting and hosting more workshops and events is part of our long-term goal.”

The diversity of the participants is another hallmark of the initiative. “We get a variety of people. During midweek sessions, we often see retired individuals or those not working. Weekend sessions attract families with kids. We try to accommodate everyone,” Victoria said.

As I wrapped up my conversation with Victoria, it was evident that Give it a Grow is more than just a community gardening project. It’s a movement dedicated to enhancing both the environment and the community spirit in Wigan.

For those inspired by this initiative, Victoria mentioned that they have a treasure trove of photos of their vibrant activities and events, ensuring that their message of community and green living reaches an even broader audience.

Interested individuals can look forward to more updates and engaging activities from Give it a Grow in the coming months, as they continue to make Wigan a greener, more beautiful place to live.

You can find out more on their website by clicking here