Laudato Si’ Parish Awards 2026

This year, the Year of St Francis, we have been delighted to hold the inaugural Laudato Si’ Parish Awards.

Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical, the awards were open to parish communities taking practical action to care for our common home, supporting environmental stewardship or social justice. We were thrilled to read all the nominations and to hear about how parishioners have been making a difference in their communities, and on Tuesday 14th April we were able to celebrate our winners as Bishop John presented the awards in a ceremony at Wardley Hall.

The awards were split into three categories: Individual, Group, and Overall winners.

Individual Winner: Linda Edwards, St Stephen’s Parish in Droylsden

Nominated for her work on the parish garden initiative, Linda has shown “tremendous dedication” in leading the project to transform a space within their parish into a productive garden, aided by a small but dedicated team of parish volunteers.

According to Linda’s nominator, the garden yields a variety of fresh vegetables, with which Linda lovingly prepares homemade chutneys and jams, and any proceeds from the sale of produce are reinvested into seeds for future planting. In addition, any leftover income supports the provision of flowers for the church. “In this way, the garden sustains both the land and the liturgical life of the parish.”

Through selecting thoughtful practices, this garden is an example of the ways in which we can care for our common home whilst cultivating produce and creating prayerful spaces for our communities. Linda and other volunteers have ensured that the garden is entirely organic with no chemicals used at any stage, and compost is produced on-site using materials which otherwise would be discarded to avoid unnecessary waste.

Congratulations to Linda and all the volunteers within St Stephen’s Parish for your excellent work!

Group Winners: Bee Together Community Centre and Garden, Parish of the Nativity in Oldham

This initiative was formed to bring their community back together following the isolating times experienced during the Covid pandemic, and the project has been a huge success, producing a working kitchen and fruit garden which is supported by a thriving ecosystem of local wildlife.

The team of parish volunteers took an overgrown, disused garden space and turned it into a safe and social community space for all, whilst engaging parishioners in the transformation.

In addition to providing a beautiful and reflective space for the community, this initiative has provided free access to organic produce to those who otherwise may not be able to afford it due to concerns around the cost of living.

The group have also placed a focus on education, and they run weekly workshops whilst engaging with local schools and community groups to share sustainable practices.

The garden has had a profound impact on the community and on the local wildlife. There are a number of thriving vegetable beds supported by an orchard of fruit trees and shrubs – all growing a variety of organic produce which is collected and distributed locally free of charge. Volunteers have reported evidence of the reintroduction of wildlife into the area, such as bats, hedgehogs and a variety of bird species.

Congratulations to all volunteers at the Bee Together Community Centre and Garden for cultivating such a brilliant project!

If you want to follow the Bee Together community project on Instagram, click here.

Overall Winners: Bible Garden at St Mary’s Parish in Burnley

Parishioners from St Mary’s in Burnley have transformed the space surrounding their church, which once they described as “grey, barren and unloved” but is now “a cherished green oasis.”

Before this transformation, volunteers felt that a change was needed within their parish grounds and they found that Pope Francis’ encyclical resonated deeply with them, empowering and inspiring them to make that change.

They replaced tarmac and hard surfaces with grassed and planted areas, introduced trees into what is quite a built-up town centre, and maximised greenery wherever possible to boost biodiversity and create visual impact. In order to create a profound spiritual experience within their Bible Garden, volunteers planted tree species found in the Bible and they encourage visitors to admire creation by linking trees and plants to Scripture using informative plaques.

Aside from the spiritual enrichment to be found there, volunteers have ensured that the garden is a place of ecological and social education, giving parishioners the opportunity to learn how to care for the space through tending to the plants and collecting rubbish. Organisers also arranged a partnership with a local charity supporting adults with learning disabilities, offering them purposeful, paid work and welcoming them into parish life – part of their recognition that care for creation includes care for people.

Parishioners have been enjoying the presence of more birds, insects and flowering plants surrounding the church, and the garden has completely transformed how people use and value the space, which now offers beauty and the chance for learning and quiet reflection.

Congratulations to all those involved in this wonderful initiative!

To read more about St Mary’s Bible Garden and its links between spirituality and ecology, visit their website here.

Thank You

We would like to wish a huge and heartfelt “thank you” to all those who took the time to nominate their parish for an award, and to all those within our communities making an effort – big or small – to positively impact our environment and care for our common home. Every positive action has the power to make a difference and should be celebrated.

We look forward to finding out more about the amazing work of our communities at next year’s awards!