WHY ROTHERHAM'S GREEN SPACES MATTER
People tell us that green spaces and being in nature is one of the best things about life in Rotherham and they want to get outside and get creative in those sites.
Rotherham boasts a rural landscape covering over 70% of its area, featuring acclaimed destinations like the 80-hectare Clifton Park and Green Flay-awarded sites such as Ulley, Greasbrough, and Rother Valley. Additionally, picturesque open water sites like Manvers and Thrybergh offer unique experiences. The region also has remarkable heritage sites such as Waterloo Kiln, Clifton Museum, Wentworth Woodhouse, Keppel’s Column, and Boston Castle, nestled amidst both formal and informal gardens.
The River Don, once pivotal to the industrial growth of Sheffield and Rotherham, meanders through the heart of Rotherham, serving as a sanctuary for diverse wildlife including otters, fish and birds.
Parks, playing fields, and village greens serve as vibrant hubs for creative expression, hosting a variety of events ranging from impromptu performances to theatre productions, workshops, and festivals.
OUR STORY SO FAR
2024-2025
Our Green and Growing programming concentrated on taking creative activity to a wide variety of places and green spaces through the medium of ‘creative walks’.
2025 - 2026Â
We’ve had a rebrand! After some thought and reflection, we’ve decided that the Green and Growing Programme needs to be refreshed to become Green & Creative. The project is less about ‘growing’ plants and more about getting creative outdoors.
Throughout 2025 and into 2026, a team of six artists has been exploring creative, community-led ways to inspire physical activity in green spaces across Rotherham. They have been gathering ideas and co-designing how these spaces can be improved for everyone. By 16th December 2025, the artists have delivered 30 sessions (both collaboratively and individually) engaging a wide range of groups including early years children, families, young disabled adults, older adults, global majority communities, people in supported housing and care settings, friendship groups, schools, health groups, and participants in parks, incidental green spaces, and forest school sites.
The team has designed and led playful, creative activities that encourage movement in green spaces, testing how arts-based approaches can motivate people to be active. Alongside this, they have been consulting with communities to understand current perceptions of green spaces, identify barriers to active use, and explore opportunities for positive change. Community members have also been involved in co-designing participatory methods that help shape better, more inclusive outdoor spaces.
Almost all sessions have taken place outdoors, with only a few moved indoors due to severe weather. Together, we’ve danced, climbed, created, stretched, talked, drawn, imagined, and built.
Third-year Landscape Architecture students from the University of Sheffield have also contributed through a live project in Greasbrough—spending time in the area and developing innovative ideas informed by their learning.
Now we’re in 2026, we focus our activity on two larger greenspaces in Rotherham: one ‘blue’ site offering both land and water-based activities, and a ‘green’ site offering woodland and heritage experiences. Both locations are close to large residential areas, accessible by public transport, and have useful facilities such as toilets, a café, indoor space and parking - making them welcoming and accessible for more people.
We look forward to seeing you at the Green and Creative workshops this year, please feel free to contact Alison Somerset-Ward for more information on 07596857387 or by email at [email protected] if you have any questions or need more information.
