The Friends of Alexandra Park (MCR) CIC was established in December 2024 with the aim to improve public facilities within Alexandra Park (Manchester) and to organise activities within the park to foster community engagement. In the period since then a range of activities organised by the Friends has been delivered. In addition, the Friends has collaborated with several other organisations to support their events in the park. Impact from Project Work General upkeep - Volunteers from the Friends have participated in several litter picking sessions aimed at removing non-natural litter which has not been properly disposed of in the bins provided. The impact of this work is evident in the increased pleasure and pride felt by park users from being able to enjoy recreation in a cleaner park and in fewer incidents where rubbish has posed a threat to wildlife. Planting improvements - The gardening group volunteers have been busy restoring old flower beds and installing and maintaining planter boxes in the park. This group has received lots of positive comments from park users and an RHS award for one of their projects. Habitat improvements - Many volunteer hours have been spent building stick piles as habitat for invertebrates and pollinators. A floating island in the lake has been re-anchored so as to provide habitat for wildlife both above and below the water surface. Fallen timber has been collected and retained within the park so as to minimise the loss of organic material from the area and increase the bio-diversity of the park. Upkeep and improvement of the Lake - This year volunteers have worked on more than twenty occasions to clear the lake of litter and floating timber, cut back invasive vegetation, renovate the lakeside classroom and Pond Dipping pier and improve the landscaping and planting of parts of the bank. A major aspect of this work has been to create a specific bird feeding zone and to reduce the erosion of the banks with low fences of hazel poles, a hawthorn hedge and other shrubs that will stabilise the bank and in time provide for pollinators and other wildlife. Impact from Activities and Events Widespread advertising of activities and events to different local communities, plus an emphasis on planning for inclusion has led to an increase in the diversity of both park users and volunteers which better reflects the surrounding areas. All activity groups share a sense of well being through working outdoors and interacting with nature. Heritage and Information Centre - Volunteers have opened and managed this Centre on at least 100 occasions providing a welcoming start to those exploring the park and who are interested in its heritage. The Centre has also been used as a base for activities for school pupils, walking groups and for Heritage Open Day. During this year an exhibition of photographs celebrating local culture and diversity has been hosted at the Centre. Primary schools engagement activities - During late spring a programme of activities for local primary school pupils was organised. Over 300 children attended and took part in activities which were planned to integrate with the national curriculum in their Key Stage. This work has a high impact in making more local families aware of the park and its facilities as well as providing a key outdoor stimulus to their learning. Gardening group - This group provides gardening tools, expertise and training for members of the public who take part. This year its work has been supported by a Council grant. Wildlife Group - Six walks have been held during the year highlighting aspects of the natural world in the Park - birds, trees and bats. Participants have expressed great satisfaction with the educative nature of these activities. Community Organisation Engagement - The Friends have joined with several other organisations to provide community activities. This engagement ranged from hosting the local Clean Air Hub awareness raising event to providing premises for another organisation’s AGM. Volunteers have also worked at several events organised by the Park Team. The impact of such engagement has been to increase the number of community organisations active in the park and provide advice to some of them on the Safeguarding and Risk Assessment procedures required by the City Council. Fund Raising - Funds have been raised through holding Car Boot Sales. These are also very popular occasions when large numbers of the local community enjoy themselves in the park . The Friends has also been awarded several grants during the year to further specific activities.

CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS The Friends has adopted different strategies to foster relationships with its stakeholders. Members - Members are consulted at regular Forum Meetings and are kept informed of activities and news through an email mailing list and newsletters. Local residents - Information is communicated through a dedicated notice board in the park and through a Facebook page and an Instagram page. Comments and opinions are invited from the general public through the Facebook direct messaging, Instagram comments and email contact. Local community organisations - An officer of the Friends attends the local Community Forum meetings. The Friends has a dedicated page within the local Clean Air Hub website. Primary Schools - A member of the Friends acts as a Lead Volunteer and provides liaison with several local Primary Schools to develop and deliver curriculum-based activities both on the lake bank and in the woodland. The Alexandra Park Team and the City Council - An officer of the Friends maintains liaison with the Park Team and operates through regular meetings. There is frequent contact with local councillors and the Neighbourhood Management Team, and officers also work directly with City Council officers on strategic matters.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration