The idea
Writing the next chapter of this historic space, with the community, for the community.
We’re transforming unused heritage spaces at Worden Park’s Walled Garden into year-round places for culture, learning and wellbeing.
We will convert a 163m² glasshouse into a flexible community hub for workshops, arts, school visits and gentle exercise, create a small music and storytelling corner for performances and reminiscence sessions, and restore the historic potting shed for flower growing, skills training and volunteering.
With accessible design and flexible equipment, the spaces will welcome all ages, reduce isolation, celebrate local heritage and enable thousands of residents each year to take part in free or low-cost cultural and community activities.
What we'll deliver
- Refurbished 163m² glasshouse with tables, chairs, teaching stations and storage
- Restored potting shed with workbenches, drying racks and flower-growing space
- Flexible furniture for workshops, talks, performances and community events
- Weather-proof indoor venues open for use in all seasons
- 10–12 intergenerational gardening and growing sessions in year 1
- Pilot wellbeing sessions including gentle movement, music and sound
- Practical workshops for education and training providers and volunteers
- Volunteer roles and training to support ongoing community use
- Heritage interpretation displays sharing the garden’s Georgian history
- Compost demonstration site with signage, bins and training for public learning
Why it's a great idea
We’re restoring unused heritage spaces into a year-round hub for workshops, arts, gardening, and wellbeing activities for education and training providers, families, volunteers, and older residents.
-Better lives for all: reduces isolation and improves mental and physical health through nature, creativity, and social connection.
-Stronger communities: creates shared spaces, volunteering, and intergenerational learning.
-Economic ambition: increases park footfall, skills, training, and local spend.
-Thinking differently: reuses historic buildings sustainably as a preventative, community-led wellbeing model.
The project brings heritage back into active public use and delivers lasting benefits for South Ribble.
Steps to get it done
- Equipment & Furniture Procurement
- Space Installation & Fit-Out
- Soft Launch & Community Testing
- Public Opening & Year-round Programming Launch
