Who We Are
Friends of Broomwood is a community-led charity working across the Broomwood Estate and surrounding Trafford areas.
We were created by local people who care about where we live and want to make a positive, lasting difference to our community and the environment around us.
Our aim is simple: to bring people together, support our community and protect and improve the green, blue and natural spaces that make Broomwood special.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to get involved, have their voice heard, enjoy their local area and play a part in making it better.
Supporting Our Community
Our community is at the heart of everything we do.
We support local residents, including people who may be vulnerable or in need, and work to create opportunities for people to meet, connect and take part in community life.
We organise and support community activities, events and projects that bring residents together, encourage volunteering and help build a stronger and more connected neighbourhood.
We want Friends of Broomwood to be a place where local people can get involved, share ideas, raise concerns and help shape projects that benefit the community.
We also want to help make sure that people who may not always feel heard have an opportunity to have their voice heard and their views considered.
Protecting Our Local Environment
Broomwood is home to a variety of green spaces, trees, habitats and wildlife, as well as wetland and blue-space areas that are important to the local environment.
We work to protect, maintain and improve these spaces for the benefit of both people and nature.
Our environmental work can include litter clearance, tree and wildflower planting, habitat creation and enhancement, supporting biodiversity, improving green spaces and helping residents understand and care for the natural environment around them.
We want to encourage responsible stewardship of our local environment and help ensure that Broomwood remains a green and welcoming place for future generations.
Greening the Broomwood
One of our key projects is Greening the Broomwood, a wider community environmental project focused on protecting and improving our local green spaces.
The project brings together residents and partners to look at how our local spaces can be made greener, more biodiverse, more welcoming and better for both people and wildlife.
Through this work, we can support habitat improvements, planting, conservation activities, community involvement and improvements to recreational and open spaces.
We believe that environmental improvement works best when the local community is involved, which is why residents and volunteers are an important part of the project.
Bringing People Together
Community is about more than the place where we live. It is about the people who live there.
We organise activities and events designed to bring residents together, from community fun days and volunteering activities to environmental projects and local initiatives.
Our community events provide opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds to meet their neighbours, have fun and feel more connected to the area they call home.
We want our activities to be inclusive and accessible, giving as many people as possible the opportunity to take part.
Weekly Litter Picks
Our regular litter picks are one of the simplest ways that local people can make an immediate difference.
Volunteers come together to help keep Broomwood clean, green and welcoming while caring for the spaces that we all share.
Although litter picking may seem like a small action, it is an important part of looking after our environment and demonstrates what can be achieved when residents work together.
We welcome anyone who would like to get involved.
Working With Schools
We believe that children and young people should have opportunities to learn about and connect with the environment around them.
We work with local schools and aim to create opportunities for children and young people to take part in practical, educational and environmental activities.
These can include learning about nature and wildlife, biodiversity, conservation, sustainability and responsible care for the environment.
Getting young people involved also helps encourage the next generation to understand the importance of protecting our local green spaces and taking an active role in their community.
Education and Learning
Education is an important part of our work.
We want people of all ages to have opportunities to learn about their local environment, wildlife, biodiversity, sustainability and the history and character of the area around them.
We can support learning through practical activities, workshops, events, talks, volunteering and outdoor experiences.
We believe that people are more likely to care for their environment when they understand it, experience it and feel connected to it.
Recreation, Wellbeing and Green Spaces
Our local green and recreational spaces play an important role in the wellbeing of our community.
We want to help protect and improve spaces where people can walk, relax, play, exercise, meet others and enjoy being outdoors.
By supporting recreational activities and improving shared spaces, we aim to help create a healthier, happier and more connected community.
Our work is about making the most of the spaces we have while ensuring they remain welcoming and accessible to the people who use them.
Volunteering
Volunteers are at the heart of Friends of Broomwood.
Whether someone joins a litter pick, helps at a community event, supports an environmental project or simply shares an idea, every contribution can make a difference.
We want to encourage local people to get involved in practical projects and community activities and to give residents opportunities to use their skills, meet others and contribute to their neighbourhood.
There is no requirement to be an environmental expert or have previous volunteering experience. We want people to feel that they can get involved in a way that works for them.
Working With Partners
We believe that strong communities are built through partnership working.
We work with and seek to work alongside residents, schools, local authorities, housing organisations, charities, community groups, environmental organisations and other relevant partners where doing so can help us achieve our charitable purposes.
Our partnership approach allows us to share knowledge, skills and resources and helps us make projects more effective and beneficial to the local community.
We are particularly interested in working collaboratively on projects that improve our environment, create opportunities for residents and support the wellbeing of our community.
Our Long-Term Vision
Our vision is for a Broomwood that is:
- Greener and richer in biodiversity
- Well cared for and welcoming
- A place where people feel connected to their community
- A place where residents have opportunities to volunteer and get involved
- A place where children and young people can learn about and enjoy nature
- A place where people can enjoy safe, accessible recreational spaces
- A community where people who may be vulnerable or in need can find support
- A community where residents feel able to have their voices heard
- A place where local people, schools and organisations work together for the benefit of everyone
We know that creating lasting change takes time. Our aim is to build Friends of Broomwood into an organisation that can continue supporting local people and improving our environment for many years to come.
Everyone Has a Part to Play
Friends of Broomwood belongs to the community.
Whether you are a resident, parent, young person, volunteer, school, local organisation or simply someone who cares about Broomwood and the surrounding Trafford area, there are opportunities to get involved.
You can volunteer, attend an event, take part in a litter pick, support an environmental project, share an idea or simply help spread the word.
Every contribution, however big or small, helps us make a difference.
Together, we can make Broomwood greener, stronger and more connected.
