Revitalising Kirkgate Station: Reflections from LonGBoaT Wakefield on Our UKSPF Journey with Groundwork Yorkshire

Representatives from Groundwork Yorkshire, LonGBoaT Wakefield and volunteers

When we first partnered with Groundwork Yorkshire to develop the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) bid for Kirkgate Station, we knew we were embarking on something ambitious. Kirkgate has always held enormous potential; not just as a transport hub, but as a gateway into the heart of Wakefield’s community life. What we needed was a spark. Something to pull people together, open the doors to creativity, build confidence, and breathe new life into a historic space. What unfolded over the past six months has exceeded every expectation.

Bringing Creativity and Community Back Into the Station and into the Community Gallery

From September 2025 to February 2026, Groundwork delivered a vibrant programme of community art activities at the station over 10 weeks. As a partner helping secure the funding, LonGBoaT Wakefield visited sessions several times and saw first‑hand the transformation not just of the station’s gallery spaces, but of the people taking part.

Every Tuesday afternoon, the station became a studio. People who had never picked up a paintbrush were suddenly experimenting with colour mixing, collage, mural‑making, and bold visual compositions. The atmosphere was warm, supportive, and filled with laughter.

The real magic, though, was the pride participants felt. One comment stuck with me:

Volunteers creating artwork to be displayed around the station.

“I walk through the station now and feel proud knowing I helped improve it. It feels like it belongs to the community again.”

That’s exactly why LonGBoaT championed this project. Kirkgate isn’t just a building: it’s a shared space, and that pride of place matters.

Growing Skills, Confidence, and Connection Through Green Volunteering

Running alongside the art programme was an equally inspiring 20‑week green volunteering programme. Groundwork’s horticulture team worked tirelessly with volunteers and LonGBoaT Wakefield to brighten and maintain the station’s green spaces, build environmental awareness, and develop practical skills week after week.

From planting and propagation to composting, woodworking, mosaic‑making, and even crafting natural insecticides, the weekly sessions were hands‑on, purposeful, and grounding - literally and figuratively!

Volunteers creating handmade bird feeders

Five of the volunteers progressed all the way to achieving an accredited horticultural qualification. Considering many joined the programme looking to rebuild confidence, structure, and connection, this was an incredible milestone.

One volunteer summed it up beautifully:

“I’ve gained skills, confidence, and a routine. It’s made a big difference to my wellbeing and given me something positive to work towards.”

A Project with Lasting Impact

End of project celebration featuring members from Groundworks Yorkshire, LonGBoaT Wakefield and Volunteers

The outcomes speak volumes:

• Reduced social isolation

• Increased confidence and communication

• New creative and environmental skills

• Strong local partnerships

• A greener, more welcoming station

• Renewed community pride

Even though we weren’t able to install a seperate planned art piece, the project art will be on display in the Community Gallery in due course, and displayed on platform 1 permanently.

Looking Back—and Ahead

As LonGBoaT Wakefield, our focus has always been on enabling projects that bring community spaces back to life in meaningful ways. Partnering with Groundwork on the UKSPF bid was a privilege, and seeing the programme delivered so successfully has been a proud moment for all of us.

What took place at Kirkgate over these months wasn’t simply a funded project; it was a reminder of what can happen when creativity, community, and care for place intertwine.

The volunteers from the project have joined the LonGBoaT Wakefield Station Adoption Scheme, in partnership with Northern; keeping the spirit of the project moving forwards with the "Tuesday Gardening Club". If anyone wishes to join from 11am on Tuesdays, we welcome volunteer sign ups from all communities within the wakefield district.

To everyone who attended, volunteered, supported, taught, created, planted, watered, crafted, or simply showed up - We would like to say a big thank you to all involved.

As Groundwork wrote in their conclusion:

“We truly valued the opportunity to spend time together—learning, collaborating, and working towards making a meaningful difference in the places where we live, work, and connect.”

Here’s to more partnerships, more creativity, and more green, thriving community spaces across Wakefield.