Passengers travelling through Manchester Piccadilly will now have a new space to enjoy as the station's first community garden opens to the public.
The Station Sanctuary project has transformed a grey, underused space just outside of the station into a vibrant, biodiverse garden to welcome people and wildlife. The garden will now grow into a living, evolving community space, shaped by the people who use it. Rebecca Lupton, photographer, and Tom Stocks, a spoken word artist, will be the garden’s first artists-in-residence for the next six months.
They will help capture and celebrate the stories, people and everyday life of the garden, creating a shared narrative of the space as it grows. The programme will create opportunities for local communities, partners and railway colleagues – from hands-on gardening to creative sessions and volunteering. Station Sanctuary will continue to support wellbeing, social connection and skills-building, demonstrating how green space can make a meaningful difference in busy urban environments.
The scheme has been created through an innovative partnership between Network Rail, the National Trust, Sow the City, and Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH). It has also benefited from the support of Manchester City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester, alongside funding from United Utilities. The charity MASH offers support to women who are involved in sex work and have experienced homelessness.
Through participation in the Station Sanctuary project, women have come together to co-design and co-create the garden. This initiative has inspired women to express their creativity and provides an opportunity to learn about nature and urban conservation. The women have been involved in every aspect of the garden, from planning and design to delivery. Some key features that can be seen in the garden include:
- Station Sanctuary was named by the women of MASH, reflecting the purpose of the space as a place of safety and support.
- Handcrafted bee posts, built by the women using construction tools, feature engraved patterns representing the initials of women and friends they have lost.
- The garden flags were created using cyanotype prints of butterflies, designed and created by the women.
- The women planted the garden themselves, with each plant dedicated to someone or something meaningful to them.
- Planters were built and sanded by MASH, and other community groups at Sow the City’s Boiler House – Moss Side Men’s Shed and Women’s Woodwork – all of which are programmes to support mental health and social isolation.
- Poetry written by the women is embedded throughout the garden, sharing personal reflections and stories within the space.
- All materials have been delivered using local suppliers, small businesses and social enterprises - ensuring investment has gone back into our local economy.
- Planters use Tricoya timber - a durable, sustainable material made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood.
- Information on support services is included within the space, offering help to those who may need it.
Through nature-led design and pollinator-friendly planting, the garden will enhance urban biodiversity, contributing to a healthier local ecosystem. The garden has information panels that will encourage visitors to explore the city’s other accessible green and blue spaces, as well as information on urban ecology. Rebecca Foy, Network Rail’s regeneration and placemaking specialist, said: “We’re delighted to welcome visitors to Station Sanctuary at Manchester Piccadilly.
“As the gateway to the city, this space reflects Manchester’s creativity, character and diversity - while creating a place for all to pause, connect and feel safe. Stations are a threshold where important moments happen every day, and we’re excited to see how this space - beyond its physicality - continues to grow and support people who need it.” Natalie Daring, Greater Manchester urban senior programme manager at the National Trust, said: “Station Sanctuary shows the powerful role nature can play in our everyday lives, even in the busiest urban environments, and beyond.
“By bringing green space into the heart of Manchester Piccadilly, this project creates an opportunity for people to connect with nature, supporting wellbeing and making the city a more welcoming and inclusive place for all.” Jon Ross, the founder and chief executive at Sow the City, said: “We are so pleased to see the garden come to life. Importantly, every penny earned on this project has gone straight back into Greater Manchester.
“It’s paid small, local suppliers, supported local families and strengthened local businesses. The work has shown that we can do things as well, if not better, with the people already here in the city.” Rachel Shore, project engagement coordinator at MASH: “It’s been incredibly powerful to see the women we support involved in every stage of creating Station Sanctuary.
“This project has provided a safe, welcoming space where women have been able to express themselves, build confidence and feel a sense of ownership in a place they know so well.” This is start of the garden’s story. It will continue to evolve, over the coming months and years, always with our communities and local people at the heart of it.