Read the latest news from Spectrum People and our volunteer-made, community newsletter ‘Footsteps Forward’.
The latest issue is right here, or you can download and print it using the button underneath the screen version.
For the 3rd year running, we are proud to announce that Spectrum People’s Appletree Community Garden in Agbrigg, Wakefield, has been awarded the coveted Green Flag Award for 2026.
As the international benchmark for well-managed parks and green spaces celebrates its 30th anniversary, Appletree has been recognised as one of the country’s premier community green spaces.
The scale of this year’s achievement is significant: we are one of only 488 community groups selected nationwide, and one of just 20 to receive a Community Award across the Yorkshire and the Humber region.
This accolade is a direct reflection of the exceptional hard work, passion, and strategic dedication of our team and volunteers, who ensure this vital asset remains maintained to the highest standards.
Reflecting on the impact of local green infrastructure, Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, noted that green spaces are:
“essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy… with public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.”
At Spectrum People, we remain committed to providing safe, welcoming, and high-quality green spaces that drive social value and health outcomes in our local community. Thank you to everyone whose efforts contributed to this milestone achievement.
The In Cahoots project brought innovative live music, movement and dance to people across Wakefield.
Organised and supported by Spectrum People, 100+ residents took part in a week‑long programme of uplifting workshops led by 3 international creative arts therapists, whilst training local creatives who gained new skills to enhance their own creative and therapeutic practice.
The project was designed for residents facing dementia and memory issues, depression and anxiety, and isolation and loneliness; funded by both Dutch and Wakefield Culture Grants.
Read the full case study below, demonstrating the impact, wellbeing benefits, and community engagement achieved by the project written by he University of Huddersfield’s Creative Health Hub:
We were delighted with the visit by Rowntrees Lollies to Appletree as one of their ‘Free the Fund’ grant winners. They brought very welcome refreshments which were enjoyed by all on a lovely summer’s day. They posted this fabulous video on their social media, featuring lots of people who were interviewed about what makes Appletree so special.
“Free the Fund isn’t just about things. It’s about the people.
Meet some of the amazing volunteers and visitors at Appletree Garden in Wakefield. 🌟
We spent the day talking to those involved to understand the importance of this trusted space, which lets them find those little moments of joy through a variety of activities.”
This summer, Prosper Wakefield paid a visit to our Appletree Community Garden – and we’re thrilled with their write-up celebrating the space, the people, and the purpose behind it.
The article highlights how the garden is much more than a patch of green: it’s a peaceful, welcoming space for people to connect, reflect, and grow – both plants and friendships. From raised beds filled with vegetables to cosy seating areas for a quiet chat, every corner is designed with wellbeing in mind.
We were especially pleased to see recognition for our inclusive approach. Appletree is a space where everyone is welcome, no matter their background or challenges – and where mental health support happens naturally through nature, conversation, and creativity.
Big thanks to Prosper Wakefield for shining a light on what makes our garden special and for their continued support of both Appletree and Spectrum over the years.
More exciting grant news for Appletree Community Garden thanks to Rowntrees: in short, “Free the Fund” is a community-focused grants initiative designed by Rowntree’s and administered by Groundwork UK to invest in local projects that build better places and wellbeing for adults by mobilising community-led action.
The video post continued with:
“Please give a warm welcome to Spectrum People, a brilliant grant recipient from Free The Fund 2025. 💚
We look forward to sharing more of the Appletree summer garden where isolated members of the local community can enjoy the diverse community space to celebrate culture and friendship. 🌻🍏 🍓”
We’re proud to be named as a finalist, along with our project partners Featherstone Rovers Foundation, in “Tackling health inequalities: the Mayor’s big ideas challenge”.
Our joint project focuses on improving health and wellbeing for communities: we’re passionate about addressing the real challenges people face every day – and this recognition is a big step forward in helping turn our idea into lasting impact.
Read more about our project and the challenge journey here: Mayor’s Big Ideas Challenge – Innovation Hub
This regional innovation challenge is delivered by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Challenge Works (Nesta), Nexus Leeds
Together, they’re driving innovation that improves lives and levels the playing field across West Yorkshire.
Want to follow our progress and celebrate the other amazing finalists?
Search and share using the official hashtags:
#BigIdeasChallenge #HealthEquity #Innovation #WestYorkshire
And don’t forget to follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and ways to get involved.
Many people and groups participated in the year-long ‘Our Year’ events throughout Wakefield during 2024.
This vibrant video is narrated by Yorkshire poet Ben Taylor across two films and Appletree is featured a number of times, for example at 1:33 and 1:59, as well as other clips throughout.
Appletree Community Garden’s recent Green Flag Award has been featured in the Wakefield Express, after Bridget Gill and Matt Gordon attended the award event in York this week.
Appletree Community Garden awarded the coveted Green Flag Award as it is officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks
Park in Agbrigg, Wakefield raises prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving international quality mark for parks and green spaces
Today, Spectrum People is celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Appletree Community Garden. One of 2227 winning parks and green spaces in the UK.
The news that Appletree has achieved the accreditation – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces – is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green space so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy it.
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Appletree on achieving a Green Flag Award.”
“Appletree Community Garden is a vital green space for communities in Agbrigg, Wakefield and district to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.”
“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”
“It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”
Bridget Gill and Matt Gordon from Spectrum People added
“We are very proud to have won this award, and it is down to the amazing team of workers and volunteers who put their time and effort into the wonderful space Appletree is, and which helps so many people with their wellbeing.”
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
Spectrum People recently took on several groups that used to be part of Richmond Fellowship, which created an even larger combined network of new and existing staff, volunteers and activities for people to enjoy.
To celebrate this joining together and to introduce everyone to each other, the volunteers from the Newsletter Group have put together a mini edition of their ‘Footsteps Forward’ newsletter.
Spectrum People successfully raised over £5,000 in the “Arts for Impact” fundraising campaign which saw donations matched by the Big Give, over the period of just 1 week, and with special thanks to Prosper in Wakefield.
“Our wonderful colleagues at Prosper helped with a big donation ensuring we doubled our funding efforts on our Arts for Impact push. A big thank you from Spectrum People to Kath and her team.”
– Bridget Gill, Chief Officer, Spectrum People
The donations will contribute to:
We’ve produced our very own digital scrapbook showcasing the highlights of the last 10 years. It’s a fun, interactive publication complete with amazing, colourful illustrations and links to even more videos and related content.
Spectrum People are featured in a comprehensive report from the University of Huddersfield: “Creative Health in Communities: Supporting People to Live Well in West Yorkshire“.
The research took place over 9 months, with 69 creative and cultural organisations reaching various people and communities with lived experience, looking at how creative health can help with health inequalities across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield (pages 22-23).
Spectrum People partnered with Wakefield Authority and Huddersfield University using UKCRF funding.
Spectrum People won BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind mental health group award in June 2021. There were more than 1100 entries for the All in the Mind awards.
The entire team are proud as is Dawn Bland, one of our beneficiaries. She nominated us for this award. Massive thank you to Dawn for nominating us.
We produce a monthly update, sharing project updates, news and/or events.
Every edition from 2015 onwards is available and will be added on our Google Drive.
For our Facebook page, click here
Reflections perform at Festival of the Moon
Reflections perform ‘she’s so serene’ at Festival of the moon; 15 Oct 2019.
VCSE Wakefield – Social Prescribing
This discusses the impact that social prescribing has on the community; 7 Jan 2020
Art therapy – Safer Communities Fund
Leanne Warren talks about the benefits of art therapy and successfully gaining funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner Safer Communities Fund; 10 Sep 2020
A Spectrum of Angels
Tina Dransfield talks about a project funded by Creative Minds, which was designed to bring the community together during lockdowns in 2020; 10 Sep 2020
Facts, Fears and Fiction
Young people in Agbrigg spread a message to the community to encourage people to have COVID vaccines. This was co-produced with Co-Active Arts; 22 June 21
10th Year E-publication.
A digital booklet showing Spectrum Peoples 10 year journey, answering the question “what does Spectrum People do?”
For more of our videos, click here
Introduction to Appletree Community Garden
Appletree Co-ordinator, Matt Gordon, introduces the garden and tells us about how people who visit, volunteer or work benefit from Appletree Community Garden; 20 Sep 18
Expert Link – Wake Up Wakefield
Wakefield VCS organisations took part in “Being the Difference” training. It is an emotional plea for better and more joined up mental health support within Wakefield. Some subjects discussed in the video may be triggering; 20 Nov 2018
Together and Apart Exhibition
Shows the impact of art therapy and Appletree Community Garden (green space); 2 June 21
Appletree Community Garden
Portrait of Spectrum People; 2 June 21
Dawn Bland Q & A
A Q & A with one of our beneficiaries, Dawn Bland, for the September Artwalk; 29 Sept 21
Green social prescribing, Appletree and arts therapy support
Excerpts from BBC Radio 4 All in the Mind recording in 2021. Art, Gardening and Wellbeing during Covid. broadcast on BBC World Service 12 Sept 21
Listen Here
Diversity Event at Appletree Community Garden
Celebrating diversity in the Agbrigg area. People in the community are talking about how Appletree Community Garden supports and help them. 1 Dec 22