Andy Burnham visits Webb Lane Allotments
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham visited Webb Lane Community Allotments (opens in a new window) in Offerton last month, meeting local residents and partners to see first-hand how community-led green spaces are improving health, wellbeing and connections across Stockport.
Founded in 1914, Webb Lane Community Allotments is one of Stockport’s oldest continually running allotment sites. Today, it supports over 1,000 people through more than 50 plots, community partnerships and volunteer-led projects, many of which engage residents living in nearby social housing.
The visit, delivered in partnership with Stockport Homes and its charitable arm SKylight (opens in a new window), showcased how collaboration between local housing providers and voluntary organisations is helping customers thrive in their community.
The visit included getting to know the three flagship 'Live Well' projects:
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Start Well – The Stockport Schools Green Network (opens a new window), including Banks Lane Infants School Gardening Club, helping children build confidence and wellbeing through outdoor learning
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Live Well – Seeding the Change (opens a new window), a green social prescribing programme led by GP’s and mental health nurses, supporting people by encouraging them to connect with nature
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Age Well – The Ageing in Place Pathfinder Project (opens a new window), bringing together over-50's from Brinnington to connect, garden and support one another
The allotments have received nearly £60,000 in funding from organisations including the National Lottery, Manchester Airport and Forever Manchester, and have attracted corporate support from companies such as Hewlett Packard UK. Their work has also been recognised through a nomination for the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
It was a pleasure to welcome Mayor Andy Burnham to Webb Lane and showcase the incredible work happening there. Through support from SKylight and our local partners, initiatives like this are helping people across Stockport build connections, improve wellbeing and create a real sense of belonging.
Marie Gilluley, Chair of SKylight
