Our project is created by people in Chorlton, for people in Chorlton; there’s already masses going on (see our friends page) – we’re here to add to that and co-develop six months worth of activities – all shaped with the people who live, work or play here.

 

As we work together to answer one of the most challenging questions of our time.

 

There are lots of activities coming up – from our monthly community forum, to hands-on workshops on gathering data and an introductory webinar ; the easiest way to keep in touch is to sign up for our newsletter .

 

Where did the project come from?

2020 was a challenging year for many communities across the UK, Chorlton included, as we balanced work, life and tried to play in the safest way we could. All keeping to our home and our neighbourhood for the most part. Residents were told to stick local, and we did.

One of the very few upsides of the tight restrictions being put into place was that some of us got a chance to look at and use our neighbourhoods differently.

It was the first time many of us uncovered the secrets of our local park or discovered the peaceful ‘long route’ to the local shops on foot or on bike. While overall trade was down and many businesses have had to shut up shop due to the restrictions, Chorlton’s strong independent character shone through as people shopped & exercised locally.  

This past year provided our community with an opportunity to see even more the potential in our place. There is already work going on to think about the recovery – how to rebuild – and as part of that, now is the time to start thinking about what we’d like to see more of – and less of. 

So that’s going to be our main question over the next nine months; what would it take to reduce car use in Chorlton?

We’ll help inform the answer with data, and by talking to all sorts of different people, with different perspectives, and what we learn will be shared with other communities in Manchester and beyond.. 

A Successful Bid For The Climate Action Fund

Our work here sits alongside 23 other projects that are part of  The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund, which was created to support local partnerships to deliver community-led initiatives helping address our global climate crisis, at a local level.

The project came about when several Chorlton residents saw the fund as an opportunity to build upon local work that followed Manchester’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2019, which included a series of climate action workshops organised by councillors in Chorlton & Chorlton Park wards.

After a process that took six months, the funding bid was successful and with it, the creation of the Our Streets Chorlton project! 

The money awarded will provide an opportunity for us to start work visioning a greener, safer, more accessible Chorlton. – and hopefully bid for greater resources in the future to make it a reality.

Help Us Shape Our Streets Chorlton

 

Whilst the project is overseen by our local partners, our direction is governed by you. We are here to support the whole of Chorlton on its journey to tackle climate change. Our Streets Chorlton is a collaboration by people living in the area who share common goals to tackle climate change. All are welcome to take part and join the conversation, in any way you can.

Over the next year, we will promote and host numerous activities, events and physical opportunities for you to get involved in Our Streets Chorlton. Such activities will include our three streets mini-projects; physical interventions that will allow us to trial community sourced ideas. Further detail of these events, plus so much more, can be found on our social media channels – so, make sure you’re keeping up to date! 

Facebook 

Instagram 

Twitter 

And if social media isn’t your thing, don’t worry. Why not sign up to our email newsletter instead. Also, keep your eyes peeled for us out and about in the community – it won’t be long before we can start chatting to you in person again. We’re really looking forward to it. 

 

Get In Touch, We Want To Hear From You

 

Finally, if you still have a few unanswered questions that we haven’t covered in this introductory blog, check out our FAQ section of the website. Or, drop us a line  we’re always happy for a chat.