Gorton Monastery in Manchester has been at the forefront of heritage-led regeneration in one of Manchester’s most deprived communities. The Monastery, which is now a secular site, serves as a thriving community hub offering a variety of integrated health and wellbeing services in partnership with local health organisations.
Decline in church goers
For almost a century, the church and friary flourished. But, by the 1960s fewer people were going to church and the later closure of engineering works in Gorton caused mass unemployment, while local regeneration schemes relocated many people. After the friars moved away in 1989, the building was sold to developers and fell into disrepair.
Following a major restoration programme, the Monastery was reopened as a secular events venue in 2007.
A new heart of the community
Inspired by the site’s original Franciscan inhabitants, the mission of the Monastery is to be a sustainable modern-day monastery that is at the heart of the community and deeply connected to the needs of today’s world. This is reflected in the Monastery’s initiative to develop Manchester’s first centre for heritage, health, music and innovation. The Monastery team’s aim was to transform the site into a place where the local community could access heritage, arts, culture, and wellbeing activities all in one place.
“I love the Monastery and all the staff,” said one community member. “Each time I have (attended, I) felt welcome and supported. Thank you to all who make this space possible for the community – a much-needed service during our modern times epidemic of loneliness and lack of belonging.”
Supporting people with listening sessions
In 2023, the Monastery established the Sanctuary to consolidate its heritage and wellbeing programme. This new service supports people with mental health difficulties and was co-created in conjunction with an in-house psychologist and psychotherapist. The Sanctuary’s offer includes the Listening Service which provides free face-to-face listening sessions with qualified practitioners for those over the age of 18. The Sanctuary has found that participants are usually people who are on long NHS waiting lists and require intermediary support or those who find it easier to seek help by going to their local heritage building.
The Listening Service has demonstrated significant benefits for people taking part, including reducing feelings of isolation and encouraging a sense of community and belonging. Those enrolled receive three listening sessions and after this can be referred to the Monastery’s free counselling service or one of their other on-site health and wellbeing activities. Counselling sessions are offered for those that wish to explore something personal in a deeper way and over a longer period. All Counsellors and Listeners adhere to the ethical framework and guidelines of the British Association of Counselling Psychotherapists (BABCP). Counsellors are on placement from various universities and colleges completing their practice hours to finalise their qualification.
Subsidised treatments for pain relief
The Active Health Group (AHG) is based at the Monastery and provides free and subsidised treatments for pain relief, musculoskeletal problems, nutrition coaching and mental health. In 2024, the Monastery and AHG hosted a Pathways to Wellness Integrative Health Conference which was attended by NHS staff from various areas of the health service, including GPs, alternative health practitioners and the public.
Other initiatives tackling mental wellbeing at the heritage site
Other community initiatives located at the Monastery which focus on mental wellbeing include a Men’s Mental Health Group; a Men’s Shed project; a re-greening project; Hair to Help; Crafternoon and Mindful Crochet; health coaching; and an anxiety and depression drop-in service. The Men’s Shed project is a place where people, not exclusively men, can socialise, take part in new activities, improve self-confidence and make new friends. The project aims to tackle social isolation predominantly, but not exclusively, in older men. A re-greening project aims to transform the grounds of the historic site into a sustainable and vibrant green space and, by doing so, address issues such as social isolation through nature connection activities.
The Power of Music
As well as the delivery of its own engagement projects, the Monastery also partners with local charities. The UK’s first Centre for Excellence for Music and Dementia – hosted by Manchester Camerata and supported by NASP’s Power of Music Fund – was launched at the Monastery in 2024. Manchester Camerata’s Music in Mind programme uses the principles of music therapy to improve the wellbeing of people living with dementia, whilst their Singing for the Brain programme (in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society) brings people with dementia together to do vocal exercises and sing songs to improve brain activity.
Plans for the future
The Monastery team’s vision is for heritage buildings to truly unlock their full potential as places for healing and community connection. Viv Andrews, Social Impact and Fund Manager for Gorton Monastery said, “The Monastery is returning to its Franciscan roots as the beating heart of the community. This uniquely serene and healing space is perfectly placed to relieve pressure on the NHS by acting as a social wellbeing hub where individuals and organisations can come together to collaborate and thrive.”
