A new community garden has opened at Manchester Piccadilly, giving passengers and local people a welcoming green space just outside the station.

Named Station Sanctuary, the project has turned a previously grey, little-used area into a biodiverse, people-friendly spot designed to evolve over time with input from those who use it.

For the first six months, photographer Rebecca Lupton and spoken word artist Tom Stocks will serve as artists-in-residence, documenting the stories, people and everyday life of the garden to build a shared narrative as it grows.

The programme invites communities, partners and railway colleagues to get involved through hands-on gardening, creative sessions and volunteering. It aims to support wellbeing, social connection and skills development, demonstrating the value of urban green space in a busy city centre.

The scheme is the result of a partnership between Network Rail, the National Trust, Sow the City and Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH). It has also been supported by Manchester City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester, with funding from United Utilities.

MASH, which supports women involved in sex work and those who have experienced homelessness, has played a central role. Women connected to the charity co-designed and co-created the space, using the project to express creativity while learning about nature and urban conservation.

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Women have contributed at every stage, from planning and design through to delivery. Features include a name chosen by the women of MASH; handcrafted bee posts engraved with patterns representing the initials of women and friends they have lost; garden flags made using cyanotype butterfly prints; and planting undertaken by the women, with each plant dedicated to someone or something meaningful. Planters were built and sanded by MASH and community groups at Sow the City’s Boiler House – Moss Side Men’s Shed and Women’s Woodwork – which support mental health and tackle social isolation. Poetry written by the women is embedded throughout the space. Materials were sourced from local suppliers, small businesses and social enterprises to keep investment in the local economy, and Tricoya timber from Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood was used for planters. Information on support services is also available on site.

Through nature-led design and pollinator-friendly planting, Station Sanctuary will boost urban biodiversity. Information panels encourage visitors to explore Manchester’s other accessible green and blue spaces and learn more about urban ecology.

Rebecca Foy, Network Rail's regeneration and placemaking specialist, said: "We're delighted to welcome visitors to Station Sanctuary at Manchester Piccadilly. As the gateway to the city, this space reflects Manchester’s creativity, character and diversity - while creating a place for all to pause, connect and feel safe. Stations are a threshold where important moments happen every day, and we’re excited to see how this space - beyond its physicality - continues to grow and support people who need it."

Natalie Daring, Greater Manchester urban senior programme manager at the National Trust, said: "Station Sanctuary shows the powerful role nature can play in our everyday lives, even in the busiest urban environments, and beyond. By bringing green space into the heart of Manchester Piccadilly, this project creates an opportunity for people to connect with nature, supporting wellbeing and making the city a more welcoming and inclusive place for all."