MEET THE BLOGGER RIGHT UP OUR ALLEY!

Yasmine El-Gabry is the driving force behind turning an unloved Manchester alley prone to flytipping into a thriving and productive community space

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What gave you the idea to turn your alleyway into a green community space?

Our alleyway was so full of flytipping, waste and rubbish that we knew something had to change. When we walked out of our back gate we were met with mattresses, dozens of bin bags, glass, furniture, and more. We wanted the space to at least feel safe and tidy, but as we got on with the tidying we realised it was the perfect outdoor garden space and that we could utilise it even more.

How easy was it to convince neighbours of the idea, and was it welcomed?

There were only a couple of us involved early on - but people were really grateful for the work we were doing. People, of course, have so much going on in their lives that even if they welcomed the new space, they couldn't always commit the time to volunteer themselves. Over time, people have become more receptive, and more households have come out to join us, whether it's to garden, socialise, or just relax. I found not asking everyone for their preferences made it easier to get started, but as we grew we asked more people about what they would like to see in the space, which led to compromises.

Did you have to seek permission from the local council, and were there any considerations/restrictions put in place by them?

Fortunately, our council has been extremely supportive! They haven't required any special considerations or put restrictions in place - in fact, the council gave us funding to create this space and has been involved since the early days to ensure the garden is a success. I would always suggest that people wanting to do a similar project seek support from their local authority and councillors.