Greener Greenhill Projects
We have been engaged with a range of projects since our inception in 2021. Many of these are ongoing and developing over time and outlines are given below. They focus on three areas: Nature & Green Spaces, Sustainability (Repair/Recycle/Reduce) and Energy.
We are volunteer run and volunteer delivery with no formal subscription. We are grateful for the donations given by local residents who attend our events and activities but could not have done all we have without the support we have had in the form of grants from the Sheffield City Council South Local Area Committee, JG Graves Trust, John Lewis and Partners, National Energy Action and most significantly Sheffield City Council who entrusted us with nearly £90k in 2024 to lead two Economic Recovery Fund projects to support local high streets locally.
Nature & Green Spaces
Central Greenhill
Working alongside Greenhill Community LIbrary and local businesses, with start-up funding in 2024 from the council’s Economic Recovery Fund, we have undertaken extensive planting in the central area of Greenhill to improve biodiversity boost. All selections are carefully planned to include the most appropriate plants and these include trees, bulbs and flowering plants on newly created beds on the library lawn; bulbs and a summer meadow in beds created on the central roundabout and initially herbs and fruits in wooden planters we installed in front of the shops. Following a review, the herbs and fruits in the planters have now largely been replaced by a variety of plants more drought resistant and which provide colour and interest all year, whilst still supporting insect life. All planting was done by volunteers and are all maintained by volunteers under the coordination of a member of the Steering Group. Developments and modifications are ongoing and additional volunteers are always welcome.
Chancet Wood
Since 2023, we have run twice yearly woodland management sessions in this wood which is managed by the Sheffield City Council’s Parks & Countryside team. We arrange these sessions with the Ranger whose responsibilities include this area of woodland and under whose direct supervision we always work . We have focused on clearing invasive species, opening up the woodland floor to enable native species to flourish and have also installed a bench at the intersection of two main paths. Sessions are advertised through social media postings and also through posters displayed at the various entrances to the woods.
Bocking Lane Garden
A team of local residents actively manage this green space on the Greenhill Avenue/Bocking Lane corner, with the support of the Parks and Countryside team. Trees, saplings and bulbs have been planted and new beds created by the Parks & Countryside team have been planted up and maintained as wildflower meadows by the volunteer team. Two benches have been installed, a dry stone wall one by our partner organisation, the Beauchief Environment Group and the other (with a back and arms) by the Parks team, paid for with a grant we applied for from the JG Graves Trust. We also arranged for the railings, which protect around ⅓ of the perimeter, to be painted by a group of young people. Additional volunteers are welcome to join the local residents’ team.
The Greenway
Starting in 2022, a variety of activities have taken place in this green which is under the control of the local Sheffield City Council Housing team. All developments, while initiated, led and mostly undertaken by local volunteers, have been done in accordance with the local council teams. What was once only utility grass, now has bulbs, trees, fruit trees, wildflowers and a variety of plants chosen to be pollinator-friendly. Two benches have also been installed with financial support from the South area LAC and the local Tenants and Residents Association. All the railings were painted by a work group from a community organisation. Ongoing work is led by a member of the Steering Group, with regular tidy up and/or planting sessions advertised on social media and on posters locally.
Chancet Wood Drive
In 2025 residents asked for help in developing a small patch of utility grass on Chancet Wood Drive. Funding was sought and granted from the South LAC pot for wildflower and bulb planting and beds were created and planted a up. A development plan has been set up and an active group of local residents manage the area. Sessions are advertised on social media and through posters as the site.
Stone Cross Field
Development work started in this area in 2021, being the first Green Space project Greener Greenhill were involved with. Working with the council’s Parks & Countryside team and Community Forestry team, the Beauchief Environment Group and local residents, a plan was drawn up for extensive tree/sapling planting, the creation of a pond and a berm to protect the boundaries. The initial work was done in Spring 2022 and subsequently additional saplings have been planted in 2025 and four stone benches created by the specialist BEG team.
Bird Song, Bat & street plants walks
Alongside the practical work, we also provide structured opportunities for the appreciation of nature. Three guided spring Bird Song walks have taken place, together with an autumn Bat walk and a summer ‘Street Stroll’ exploring plants. All have been led by volunteer experts.
Sustainability
Recycling
An initiative in 2021, funded by a local dentist, was to collect used dental products (particularly toothpaste tubes) and send these for recycling by TerraCycle. In 22/23 volunteers subsequently collected blister packs and crisp packets and took these to collection points in larger pharmacies and supermarkets. When these avenues closed to us, we applied for and were granted funding from the LAC for ‘My Group’ boxes collecting and recycling blister packs. Greenhill Community LIbrary has provided the collection space for all these products, plus (in January 2025) confectionary tubs for the ‘Tubs2Pubs scheme run by Greene King.
Repair Cafes
Since 2024, we have been running a Repair Cafe which operates with volunteer fixers 5 or 6 times a year in a local church hall. The initiative was set up with extensive advice and guidance from the international Repair Cafe network and particular support from a project in Chesterfield. 20 – 30 repairs are carried out at each event, with electronics, household goods and sewing repairs being the most common, though repairs to items of sentimental value have also been very much appreciated. We see this initiative as a sustainability asset while also having cost of living benefits and providing a social space. No charge is made for repairs or refreshments but donations are welcomed and the sessions usually cover costs.
Energy
Keeping Warm Without it Costing the Earth
A National Energy Action grant in winter 2022/2023 enabled us to create a workshop/display/session regarding cheap or free ways to keep warm and safe. THis session was run in several venues around Greenhill, with a focus on places acting as ‘warm hubs’ later re-named ‘welcome spaces.’ A leaflet was created and printed for participants to take away which support the discussion.
Retrofitting
Several sessions have been held since 2021, led by experts, about steps householders can take to retrofit their homes to make them better insulated and more energy-efficient. Alongside these events, we had access to a thermal imaging camera which enabled householders to engage in a low-key survey and discussion about their own home’s requirements. In April 2025, we gathered together companies and organisations operating locally across a range of retrofit disciplines from heat pumps to solar panels to insulation for a half day drop in session.
Economic Recovery Fund projects
Growing Greenhill
This £50k grant-funded project enabled us to develop the biodiverse planting referred to earlier alongside a marketing strategy encouraging people to shop locally. Encouragement to walk to the shops was highlighted at every opportunity, with ‘step counts’ from various green spaces to a central marker. Art work, sculpture and play trails were created to improve the physical infrastructure locally and these all had a native plants/creatures theme. For a full description of the project see here:
Lowedges Boost
This £40k project, initiated by others but shaped and managed by Greener Greenhill in the absence of other appropriate local groups, focused on a run-down set of shops whose exteriors were tidied up, painted, had better lighting installed and street art murals painted over previously ugly shutters and pillars. New seating, a community noticeboard and litter bins were installed and alongside this, planting of bulbs and wildflowers enhanced the physical appearance of the surroundings. For a full description of the project see here:
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