Kirkholt

Transforming a green space for the community

The Rhodes Ravine Project transformed a large abandoned and unsafe green space at the heart of the Kirkholt community into a well-used and safe environment.

Although the community had once enjoyed the Rhodes Ravine, the partnership reflected that improving the site had been a recurring priority in community consultation. 

In partnership with Groundwork Greater Manchester, three local people were recruited and trained to become full-time Estate Rangers, and work on improvements to Rhodes Ravine. These paid workers were supported by Groundwork’s experienced landscapers, and received training in horticulture, construction, and countryside skills which led to qualifications and further employment prospects.

To transform Rhodes Ravine, the team created a three-metre-wide track, connected it to an existing park, and created a crushed stone path to an attractive part of the ravine. Estate Rangers also carefully cleared and expanded the ravine itself, constructed a stone bridge, and installed log benches and litter bins throughout the site.

There were some challenges and delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and material shortages. The space was complete in 2021, creating a new one-mile circular nature trail, away from roads and traffic, for local people to enjoy. The partnership commissioned a photographer and videographer to document the transformation in a booklet and produced a short film celebrating the achievement.

The Kirkholt Million Big Local partnership’s aim was for every resident to have access to the space. The result was a place that residents valued and regarded as theirs. The partnership felt this gave their work credibility, visibility, and evidence of a tangible impact. 

After completion, the space continued to be well-used by community groups and walking groups, and was kept litter-free by the local Scouts and football team. The partnership also hosted several seasonal events there. The project won the Big Life award for Best Green Initiative and the RHS Britain in Bloom award two years running. The partnership drew on their relationship with Rochdale Borough Housing to secure their commitment to the ravine’s ongoing maintenance. 

Improving Balderstone Park for children and young people

The need for more community spaces was a key priority identified from the partnership’s early consultation with the Kirkholt community, alongside calls for improved facilities for young people, including a skatepark. 

In response, the partnership supported plans for new community facilities while also investing in outdoor spaces. Working collaboratively with local stakeholders, including Rochdale Borough Council, they helped deliver improvements to Balderstone Park. They commissioned the design and installation of a new skate park in 2016, which quickly became a well-used facility. Additional investment followed, including the installation of a new multi-bay swing set after families reported that children were having to queue to use the existing two swings in the park. Rochdale Borough Council took on responsibility of ongoing management and maintenance of the new facilities.

Later in the Big Local programme, the partnership discovered that cyclists were trying to use the skate park and finding it unsuitable for bikes. In response, Big Local funding was invested in a pump track adjacent to the skate park. This circuit was designed to be durable and low-maintenance, and included features that supported all skill levels. Together, the skate park, pump track, and play equipment improved the park’s facilities and formed a key part of the partnership’s long-term legacy.

Investing in and managing a new community base

Shortly before Big Local, a community centre (which housed a youth club) was demolished, leaving a gap in local provision. Its loss was felt across the community, particularly by groups needing low-cost meeting and activity space. When the local authority rebuilt a new community centre in the area, Big Local funding was contributed towards equipment and a community café in the building, as the partnerships identified it as a possible base for their activity. However, when it opened, access to the space was limited and opening hours were too restricted to be suitable as a community hub and home for the partnership.

With an eye to providing a new base for the community, the partnership submitted an expression of interest to manage a new community space being planned by the council as part of an extension to the local library. Five years later, the partnership was offered the lease. The space, known as The Hive at Million Pavilion, was felt to be a vote of confidence in the Kirkholt Million partnership and council commitment to secure their future. 

The Hive provided the partnership with a permanent home and a flexible community space for activities. They hired a worker to run a community café offering low-cost food and drinks, which became a popular spot for a bacon butty and a coffee. The café attracted a wide range of residents, including those who might not otherwise have engaged with local activities. The space was also used to host events, like the monthly Tea & Talk and a regular quiz night, further strengthening local connections.

By the end of the programme, there were more community amenities in the Kirkholt Million Big Local area than there had been at the start. While the journey to secure a community hub took time, the partnership was persistent, collaborating with others to deliver a range of spaces for residents. After Big Local, local sports club Rochdale Hornets RLFC took on the lease for the Million Pavilion and continued to run the café and hub in partnership with HMR Circle (a membership organisation for people aged over 50).

Creating employment and training opportunities for local people

Early in the programme, the Kirkholt Million Big Local partnership worked with Groundwork Greater Manchester to set up the Building Skills project – an accredited construction course for residents aged over 16. Those who took part received over 100 hours of supervised work experience, learning practical skills in joinery, painting, plastering, and tiling, through which they obtained a Multi-Trade Construction Level 1 Qualification. Participants also received English and Maths tuition, 25 hours of tailored employability support, and help to access a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card and Health and Safety certificate. Course materials and travel to Groundwork’s workshop, where the course was hosted, were also covered. 

The first time the course ran, 11 residents took part, seven of whom progressed into employment. Building Skills was repeated for a further three cohorts and extended to become a 15 week programme. The course gave residents the opportunity to meet new people, gain work experience, and build their confidence and skills.

The partnership’s close relationship with Groundwork was a key factor in the success of this project, and they felt the organisation understood and was aligned with their wider vision. The course was eventually stopped as interest waned in the final cohort. However, Building Skills was impactful for residents who took part and provided a direct route to employment alongside an increase in qualifications. 

Strengthening local groups and community activity 

Alongside investment in physical spaces in Kirkholt, Big Local funding was used to offer financial support to local people and groups to deliver activities and build community connections. 

The Kirkholt Million Grant Fund provided small grants of up to £1,000 to support activities for residents on the estate. This was particularly popular in the early years of the programme and supported a wide range of groups and activities including Kirkholt FC, an English language project, church community outings, a local dance group, and events (like a community disco and lunch). Between 2017 and 2020, the partnership awarded 31 community grants totalling over £25,000. These grants helped bring residents’ ideas to life while ensuring funding reached smaller organisations that might otherwise struggle to access support. 

Alongside the grant fund, the partnership introduced a rent subsidy scheme, offering up to 50 per cent of venue or pitch hire costs for up to 13 weeks. Running for four years, 14 grants were distributed, enabling groups to sustain and grow their activities by reducing costs and financial barriers. During and after the Covid-19 pandemic, this scheme helped keep venues open and community groups operating. 

The partnership also had a more flexible grant pot, specifically for initiatives that supported health and wellbeing, creative activities for young people, and projects that brought residents together. Through this, the Kirkholt Ride and Repair project was launched, with match funding from the local housing provider and Greater Manchester Police. This started off as a bike repair workshop and cycling group but later attracted further support from the local Social Prescribing Link Worker and the area’s transport provider to turn it into a Bike Library. The Bike Library took in unwanted bikes, repaired them, and loaned them to residents. They also carried out basic repairs at a small cost, like £1 puncture repairs. 

Through these initiatives, the Kirkholt Big Local partnership helped to build the capacity of local groups, support residents’ wellbeing, and offer a diverse programme of activities across the estate.