Community Green Grants: Project Summary

Celebrating how local groups have used Wirral’s Community Green Grants to restore nature, strengthen communities and inspire grassroots environmental action.

Across Wirral, green spaces are flourishing thanks to the Community Green Grants programme, a fund led by Wirral CVS and Wirral Council to empower local groups to create greener, more connected and sustainable communities. From transforming unloved corners of public land into biodiverse habitats, to building community pride and wellbeing through shared outdoor spaces, the programme has helped small Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations turn ideas into impact.

Empowering local communities

Launched to support grassroots environmental action, the Community Green Grants programme offered small to large grants ranging from £1,000 to £15,000. Over 700 people took part directly, including 355 volunteers (more than half of them new to volunteering). The ripple effects have been significant, with an estimated 12,000 people benefiting indirectly through greener spaces, better wellbeing and stronger community connections.

The grants supported projects that improved biodiversity, restored habitats and created inclusive, accessible green spaces for all. The results have gone far beyond environmental change by strengthening community networks and boosting confidence for our local communities.

Restoring nature on the Roman Road Sandhills

For the Friends of Roman Road Sandhills, the grant funding made all the difference. With support from Wirral CVS, volunteers were able to buy specialist tools like a tree popper and a scythe “real game-changers” for managing the site’s grassland habitat.

Over the past year, the group has grown steadily, balancing manageable numbers with consistent engagement. Their work has been supported by Wirral Council, who've stepped in to help remove larger areas of scrub as part of a habitat restoration programme.

Kathryn describes the grant as “making all the difference in the world” and it’s clear that the investment has sparked wider collaboration and renewed community ownership of this special landscape.

Creating wellbeing at the New Brighton Marine Lake

For many in New Brighton, the Marine Lake is more than a place to swim, it’s a space for community, connection and confidence. When plans for local regeneration raised questions about the lake’s future, Clare, Richard and a few others founded Friends of New Brighton Marine Lake to advocate for its protection and potential.

Community Green Grants came at just the right moment. It helped them fund a lake survey, buy an “unsinkable” safety boat and train volunteers in first aid as practical steps that strengthened the group’s capacity and confidence.

Beyond the equipment, the grant also gave the group legitimacy and momentum, helping to build a thriving community of open-water swimmers and volunteers who are redefining what environmental action looks like.

Constructing a sustainable space in the Callister Gardens

With support from the Green Grants, the Callister Trust realised a long-held dream to create an indoor community space at the heart of the Callister Gardens. Over the course of 2025, they insulated and finished their new Pavilion activity room, ensuring it would be warm, sustainable and fit for purpose year-round.

The Pavilion now hosts activities for local groups, community events and celebrations including the centenary gathering attended by over 100 residents shown above. Cathy Warren said the funding “kick-started the use of the garden and pavilion by the community”, bringing the charity’s vision to life.

And these are just a few of the organisations who made an impact with the Green Grants funding!

Measurable impact and long-term change

The Community Green Grants have delivered lasting benefits across three key areas:

Environmental

• Restoration of natural habitats such as sand dunes, meadows and ponds

• Increased biodiversity through native planting and tree sapling projects

• Reduced litter and improved sustainable practices, including composting and water conservation

Social

• Improved mental health and wellbeing through outdoor activity and connection

• Inclusion of marginalised groups, including veterans, asylum seekers and people with disabilities

• Intergenerational learning and increased community cohesion

Organisational

• Strengthened governance and project management skills

• Development of new community assets, from sensory gardens to eco-friendly pavilions

• Greater credibility and visibility within local communities

Sowing seeds for the future

The programme’s biggest success may be the confidence it has inspired. Many of the organisations supported are now exploring new partnerships and funding opportunities. They’ve developed practical skills, built networks, and most importantly, seen that change really can start at the community level. As Clare from the Friends of New Brighton Marine Lake put it, “It might take a few years, but it’s within our reach.”

The Community Green Grants have proven that with the right support, local people can lead the way in tackling climate and ecological challenges, turning ideas into action and action into lasting impact.

Read our full Outcomes and Impact Report below:

CGG Outcomes & Impact Report.pdf

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