Gary Rumens

At 39, Gary Rumens never expected to help lead a movement to green Manchester's concrete city centre. After years in retail - much of it as a shop-floor manager, alongside behind-the-scenes work at his company's head office - Covid furlough brought his work to a halt and his surroundings into focus. Living in the city, he noticed the lack of green space and the volume of litter. He started small, organising a local litter-picking group. That simple act sparked something bigger: a determination to bring nature back into urban life. Gary joined the Plant Co-operative CIC, a not-for-profit collective transforming neglected city spaces into biodiverse gardens. Their aim is ambitious but practical: to create a city of gardeners in the most built-up areas, proving that wellbeing, biodiversity and community thrive when nature returns. Now working four days a week with a small team, Gary teaches communities how to garden sustainably - growing food, saving seeds, avoiding pesticides and allowing so-called "weeds" to support wildlife. Urban gardening isn't easy: heat from concrete, wind tunnels and unpredictable weather all take their toll. Some projects fail. "We all make mistakes and learn," Gary says. "That's how nature works." A defining feature of the work is its intergenerational mix. Through his separate Clean & Green Castlefield group, Gary works with volunteers of all ages, including David, a retired solicitor and lifelong gardener. Initially, Gary felt daunted by David's experience. Instead, a genuine exchange developed. David brought traditional knowledge; Gary introduced no-dig gardening, permaculture beds and working with nature rather than controlling it. "You assume older people are set in their ways," Gary reflects, "but we're learning from each other." This two-way volunteering sits at the heart of the work. Volunteers are encouraged to experiment, share knowledge, shape projects and see the impact of their contribution. The results are tangible: stronger communities, reduced anti-social behaviour, increased engagement - and vegetables growing where no one thought possible. Gary's philosophy is simple: • Give things a go - don't wait for perfection • Make volunteering a two-way learning experience • Ask people what they want from volunteering and help them achieve it • Share impact openly so everyone knows the value of their contribution • Let volunteers own projects and give feedback Gary's story shows the real power of intergenerational working: not expertise flowing one way, but curiosity, openness and learning flowing in both directions - exactly the culture organisations everywhere need to embrace.