Withington

Nature and Biodiversity:

• Explore the possibility of a pocket park at either Egerton Terrace or Whitby Road.
• Work with Friends of local parks groups to extend planting. Include Friends of Parsonage Pocket Park for maintenance and further planting.
• Improve and green up alleyways around Withington. Consider areas for new alleyway greening and encourage student volunteering. Target areas: Beverley Road and Headingly Road.
• Support Ladybarn Community Hub with the development of the centre's gardens.
• Explore the possibility of a community growing project on land behind Heathside Road.

Children and Young People:

• Continue to work with schools in Withington, Fallowfield, and Old Moat on the Young People's Environmental Film Project. Complete editing of the climate change film and showcase eco work in local schools.
• Use the Neighbourhood Investment Fund and other grants to support eco activity.
• Support Friends of Kingswood Park to arrange a fun day as part of the National Play Day campaign in August.
• Encourage local schools to take part in the Keep Manchester Tidy campaign. Support discussions with pupils on the importance of keeping the ward tidy.

Transport, Active Travel and Air Quality:

• Encourage active travel and raise awareness of the environmental impact of transport on air quality through:
  • Road closure events in partnership with Active Streets.
  • Free bike repair and maintenance at local events.
  • Support and promotion of local walking groups.
  • Campaigns such as Walk to School Days, Clean Air Day, and Road Safety Week.
  • Road safety events and speed awareness sessions with GMP.

Things We Buy, Use and Throw Away:

• Deliver the 'Give It Don’t Bin It' campaign to manage student departure sustainably:
  • Set up drop-off points for students to donate unwanted items.
  • Recycle items to charities and community centres for reuse.
  • Raise awareness of unauthorised clothing banks.
• Student Welcome Targeted Initiative:
  • Door-to-door visits with waste management reminders.
  • Provide extra blue bin collections to promote paper recycling.
  • Target 25/26: Visit student properties on the top 20 streets in Withington to provide recycling advice.
• Promote the Manchester Refill Campaign to local businesses, residents, and community groups. Target 25/26: Encourage at least one business in the ward to sign up.
• Promote recycling centre tours to colleagues and partners.
• Work to improve areas of persistent fly-tipping in collaboration with the Community Payback Team, Biffa, and the Waste Compliance Team.
• Organise days of action to target hotspots such as Talbot Road, Egerton Road, Derby Road, and Ladybarn Village.

Food:

• Support and promote local 'Grow Your Own' initiatives.
• Continue to support local foodbanks and pantries. Collaborate with Fallowfield and Withington Foodbank as part of the 'Give It Don’t Bin It' campaign to redistribute unwanted food items after student departures.

Homes and Energy Efficiency:

• Provide energy efficiency advice at local events. Invite Groundwork 'Green Doctors' to offer free advice to residents.
• Support energy efficiency at home. Provide LED lightbulbs to residents where needed. Promote the GMCA retrofit portal and Your Homes Better sites.
• Use the Neighbourhood Investment Fund to support the Warm Spaces Initiative.

Engagement, Raising Awareness and Influencing Change:

• Raise awareness about climate change, its effects, and ways to reduce carbon footprints at local events.
• Promote funding opportunities throughout the year. Ensure the Neighbourhood Investment Fund supports climate-related projects in the ward.

Want to know what progress we made on last year's objectives in Withington? Email southnt@manchester.gov.uk.