New ‘gather and grow’ garden coming to Birch Hill Hospital

Monday, 19 January 2026 17:15

By David Murphy

A disused patch of land at Birch Hill Hospital is set to be transformed into a therapeutic green space for patients, staff, and the wider Wardle community, thanks to a £32,600 grant from the Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund.

The new garden, part of the Gather and Grow project, will include a growing tunnel and seating area behind the Floyd Unit at the hospital. It aims to provide a calm, natural space to promote wellbeing and connection with nature.

Pennine Care Charity, which supports projects beyond the standard NHS offering, secured the funding through the Greater Manchester Environment Trust. The work supports the charity’s wider commitment to mental health, learning disability and autism services.

Claire Maw, associate director for Rochdale at Pennine Care, said: “It will support wellbeing and give teams a chance to recharge, as well as offering patients a place to engage with therapeutic activities.”

Wes Partington, director of Pennine Care Charity, added: “This project will make a massive difference to our patients, their families, and people who live near the hospital.”

The garden is one of 19 projects supported by the £500,000 Green Spaces Fund, which is focused on improving mental health and building stronger communities across the region.

Birch Hill Hospital, once a workhouse and now run by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, provides a range of specialist mental health services across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale. The new outdoor space also supports the trust’s environmental and sustainability goals under its green plan.