Falinge Park High School unveils Arts, Words and Wellbeing Garden

Friday, 16 May 2025 17:31

By David Murphy

A new outdoor space focused on creativity, nature and student mental health has been officially opened at Falinge Park High School in Rochdale.

The school’s Arts, Words and Wellbeing Garden was unveiled on Friday following an 18-month redevelopment project. Created in collaboration with Curious Minds, #BeeWell, Resolis, the Comino Foundation and Rochdale Township North, the garden aims to support student wellbeing, creativity and inclusion.

Around 200 guests attended the launch event, which featured live music, poetry, face painting, games and free food. Students led wildlife and nature workshops, demonstrated sound installations and showcased the school’s ‘Time To Talk’ mental health initiative. Circus skills and creative health activities also added to the programme.

The garden includes a new performance area, art installations, and quiet zones aimed at promoting calm, conversation and connection. It was designed to reflect wellbeing priorities identified by students through the #BeeWell survey, which include more natural, inclusive and socially engaging spaces.

A key element of the project is its link to the Poet-in-Residence initiative, developed with Manchester Metropolitan University and the Manchester Poetry Library, tackling themes of sustainability and climate change through the arts.

More than 180 students took part in building the garden or contributing creative work. Two hundred students wrote poems, with three winning entries now displayed on Perspex plaques throughout the space. A sound machine installation funded by Curious Minds and #BeeWell plays original audio theatre developed by young people.

The garden also supports ASDAN qualification delivery and broader strategies around social inclusion, with features like 30 raised planters, eight benches and a pergola funded by Rochdale Township North. These are adorned with educational plaques including MIND’s Five Ways to Wellbeing and student poetry.

The school thanked over a dozen partner organisations for their help, including EcoVida Routes, Petrus Rochdale, Skylight Circus Arts, Gordon Riggs Garden Centre, CMAC Transport Group, Ergon Environmental Theatre Company, and Create Rochdale.

Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. A survey showed 97.5% think the garden is a good idea, 90% believe it offers a valuable quiet space, and 88% say it helps them connect with others.

Headteacher at Falinge Park High School said the project "represents the best of what can be achieved when creativity, wellbeing and student voice come together in education."

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Tragedy in Rochdale as man dies in police custody following arrest

A man has died after suffering a cardiac arrest in a police vehicle shortly after being detained under the Mental Health Act
Bikers to ride in memory of Lee Rigby and Scott Hetherington this Sunday

Annual tribute returns with route through Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton
Royton residents worried about nine-month scheme after a series of roadworks cause mayhem

People in Oldham are worried planned roadworks this summer will cause ‘absolute mayhem’ on the roads. Oldham Council and Transport for Greater Manchester are unrolling a new road layout plan, which will see some major changes to Royton town centre.
Oldham: Battle of the deputies - 'grubby political deals' and 'outdated gentlemen's agreements'

Mayoral nominations are usually straight-forward and largely ceremonial. But this year in Oldham, the affair has courted controversy.
£500k repair scheme set to begin on Market Street Bridge in Bury

A key bridge linking Bury town centre to the wider road network is to undergo essential repairs as part of a £500,000 improvement project starting later this month.
Three teenagers arrested on suspicion of arson after Bury moorland fire

Three teenage boys have been arrested in connection with a moorland fire on Holcombe Hill in Bury earlier this week.
Pride progress flag raised at Rochdale Town Hall ahead of IDAHOBIT

Rochdale marked the upcoming International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) with a flag-raising ceremony outside the town hall today, 16 May.
The ‘concrete volcano’ dumped off a footpath in Newhey

A ‘concrete volcano’ has appeared in a picturesque area of Newhey – leaving locals fuming.
New Pegasus crossing boosts safety near Rochdale schools and Healey Dell

A new Pegasus crossing has been installed on Shawclough Road in Rochdale to improve road safety for schoolchildren and other residents, as part of a £1.9 million borough wide upgrade funded by Transport for Greater Manchester.
Young people urged to ‘fly high’ as local MP launches summer school

Elsie Blundell MP has launched a new summer school aimed at giving teenagers from Heywood and Middleton North a glimpse into careers in public service and government
Police investigating 'anti semitic attack' at Prestwich office block

Police are investigating following an incident where a Prestwich office block has been covered in red paint and graffiti.
New ceremonial mayor of Rochdale sworn in

The new mayor of Rochdale took on the civic chains in an official ceremony last night.