AN OVERGROWN back yard has been converted into a beautiful growing space for Bury's homeless community.

The Red Door in Bury, which supports homeless and vulnerable people, has converted its outdoor area into a growing hub where centre users can go for peace.

A celebration event was held at Red Door's drop-in centre in Peter Street, which is part of the Caritas Diocese of Salford, to mark the completion of the Yard Project.

Manager Julia Coulton said: "It was wonderful to be able to share the achievements and hard work of the Red Door clients with our valued supporters, funders, and partners.

"Big thanks to Kieron McGlasson and the team at Sow the City who helped us transform our overgrown jungle into an oasis of peace and tranquillity in the heart of the city.

"We are all learning valuable growing skills as a result of the project and are very grateful also to our funders who allowed us to make it happen.

"Our art group at Red Door have also joined in by making the wonderful mosaics for the walls."

The yard had been neglected for years and become a mass of shrubbery and trees but has now been transformed by raised flowerbeds to create a healing space.

It has been decorated with artwork created by centre users during therapeutic classes, run by artist Sharon Campbell.

In a celebratory event on July 10, Red Door invited dozens of guests to the centre to enjoy tea, coffee and homemade scones.

Among them were Cllr Susan Southworth, Donna Jackson from the Department for Work and Pensions, Kim Griffiths and Belinda Papworth from Bury Council, and Katya Pursall, who leads Voluntary Community and Faith Alliance (VCFA) in Bury.

The project was led by Kieron McGlasson from social enterprise Sow the City, who was on hand to encourage visitors to sample some of the fruit and vegetables that have already been grow, including courgette flowers, French beans and radishes.

Mark Wiggin, Caritas Director, said: "The Yard Project adds a new dimension to the Bury centre and the Red Door project. It brings a new opportunity for people to enjoy nature and eat what they grow.

"The project has been supported by Sow the City who have created a wonderful and calm space for the centre users, who need the peace that the Yard Project will bring to their lives, many of them benefitting from the therapeutic advantages it offers."

The Yard Project was funded by donations from Tesco Bags of Help, Bury Council’s Pitch Community Funding, and the Bury Times’ Gannett Foundation.

The Gannett Foundation is the charitable arm of Gannett, which owns the Bury Times publisher, Newsquest Media Group.

To support the growing project visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/caritassalford/burytimesreddoorspecials.