SNUG began as a community response to neglected green spaces - an abandoned bowling green, empty alleyways, and streets in need of trees. With support from the Green Spaces Fund, local residents, artists, and volunteers transformed these forgotten places into living, creative spaces.

The once-bare bowling green in Crowcroft Park is now a thriving Orchard Garden with 63 fruit trees, wildflowers, a pond, and hand-built benches. Nearby, a community garden at Stanley Grove Primary was revived with composting bays, raised beds, and a greenhouse made from salvaged materials.

SNUG also worked with Manchester City Council to plant street trees outside Longsight Art Space, and with residents to brighten up alleyways using planters, murals, and shared seating.

On its busiest days, 70+ people joined; families, children, grandparents, and newcomers from across the world, including Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Iranian, and Romanian neighbours. Together, they’ve built a place that’s not only green, but welcoming and full of life.

Art and nature go hand in hand here: sculptural planters, hand-painted signs, and community-made installations connect creativity with care for the environment. As SNUG grows, it’s expanding into nearby streets, creating small micro-gardens and spaces for community art, rest, and play.

So far, over 600 residents have taken part in drop-ins, workshops, and seasonal events — families, children, elders, and volunteers from across Longsight’s diverse communities. The Orchard Garden is now maintained by local people, building shared ownership and pride in the space.