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."
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