Groups in the Park
Park groups' aims:
Below are details of some of the groups and organisations that meet and spend time in the park.
- Enhance the park, creating an inviting, inspiring, and quiet haven away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
- Increase levels of self- confidence and motivation for the people involved in the projects.
- Enable local people’s voice and influence in the area.
- Raise awareness of the parks history and its vital role in our heritage.
- Set up projects which encourage cross working, for example cross generational projects.
- Generate a sense of pride and interest in the local environment.
- Push Platt Fields Park forward in the City Councils priorities for parks.
- Provide a comparison projects for other Friends groups and community organisations.
- Provide increased opportunities for relaxation.
- Provide increased opportunities for exercise.
- Provide increased creative, artistic and cultural experiences.
- Raise awareness of horticultural training projects, green gym etc.
- Create a forum for understanding wildlife and the role this plays in our lives.
- Give valid, meaningful experiences to young offenders and school refusers.
- Bring more people in to the park for ongoing events, thereby contributing economically to local businesses, and hopefully decreasing isolated incidences of vandalism and crime.
Manchester International Arts
Manchester International Arts have been using the park as a base to host their extraordinary, superb, surreal and fun filled events - the Garden of Delights Festival, circus, outdoor theatre and spectacular performance, picnics and workshops. These events are in a league of their own in terms of the amazing array of cultures that mingle to share the experience. The Garden of Delights offered local community groups a platform for their work and linked with local housing associations, schools, youth projects, businesses, environmental and other campaigning groups, forming a firm foundation from which to encourage more partnership working in developing the future of the park.
Website: Manchester International Arts
top ^
Powwow Eco Arts
Powwow Eco Arts aim to raise awareness of environmental issues through art, (particularly in urban areas); to promote collaborative creativity between the arts, environmental and community sectors and to promote sustainable living. They have a strong focus on the senses, creating inspiring and unusual spaces and surroundings.
Powwow has been transforming a derelict piece of land in Platt Fields Park into a quirky, innovative, recycled Eco Arts Garden -Quirky Beasts. We have been helped by a group of ‘Young Offenders’ who have enthusiastically landscaped the area: building and mulching paths, creating a wildlife pond, choosing and putting in new plants and flowers and supervising the installation of art works. Powwow feel the program creates a space where these young people can ‘learn by doing’ and can also attend workshops to build on their skills in the same setting that they themselves have created. Through the project they have had the opportunity to increase their awareness of their own local environment as well as broader issues surrounding it. They have created a space that has made them newly aware of their own capabilities and given them something to be proud of. Volunteers, placements and artists are welcome to help with the project - further details can be found on the news page.
Website: Powwow Eco Arts
top ^
South Manchester Model Boat Club
The club was established in 1980 as the Platt Fields Model Boat Club with two objectives:
- To promote the construction and sailing of model boats
- To organise, hold and attend model boat competitions
Website: South Manchester Model Boat Club
top ^
Manchester City Galleries - Gallery of Costume
Manchester City Galleries is a council department that runs not only Manchester Art Gallery, but several other galleries, including the Gallery of Costume in Platt Hall, at the northern end of Platt Fields. It houses one of the largest collections of clothing and fashion accessories in Britain, containing over 20,000 items. Visitor information can be found on their website.
Website: Manchester Galleries - Gallery of Costume
top ^
Amateur Photographic Society
Information to follow.top ^
British Military Fitness
Military trained fitness instructors meet with a group regularly in the park to train - using a variety of methods including running and other exercises. You can find out more and subscribe on their website.
Website: British Military Fitness
top ^
Carisma
A local group that works to help stop young people from being drawn into street crime. It works with many groups (including families, schools and local employers). Many of their peace marches finish in Platt Fields, and they regularly attend other events in the park.
Website: Carisma
top ^
Qigong
Information to follow.top ^
Surestart
Sure Start is the government programme to deliver the best start in life for every child. It brings together early education, childcare, health and family support. Manchester Sure Start is co-ordinates and supports the delivery of childcare and family support services throughout Manchester. Website: SureStart
top ^
Manchester High School For Girls
The school is located next to the park.Website: Manchester High School For Girls
top ^