Founded 1996 | Type Charity | |
Founder Helen Woodcock, Chris Walsh, Cath Miller, Jane Pickering. Key people Caroline Downey, Executive Director. Website | ||
Manchester Environmental Resource Centre initiative (MERCi), is a Manchester-based environmental charity, so called because their first project was to establish an environmental centre at Bridge 5 Mill, in East Manchester.
Contents
MERCi promote social, environmental and economic sustainability for the city of Manchester. The Charity’s strapline is: "Ideas into Action for a Sustainable Future". According to their website, MERCI's aim is to work towards a future that is greener, safer, healthier and more equitable.
MERCi (pronounced 'murky') was established by a group of campaigners who were "frustrated by the lack of support, positive vision and available resources to make Manchester a more sustainable city".
History
Four individuals: Chris Walsh, Helen Woodcock, Cath Miller and Jane Pickering established MERCi over five years beginning in 1996 culminating in the centre's official launch on 25 April 2001.
The group raised over three million pounds and project managed the refurbishment of the mill utilising funding from the National Lottery, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Tudor Trust and European Regional Development Fund.
The Mill was refurbished with the support of volunteers and trainees and is one of Manchester's most environmentally friendly buildings. Manchester Civic Society acknowledged this in 2001 when Bridge 5 Mill won the award of Manchester's most energy efficient building.
A green roof was added in 2008 to encouarge wildlife to the building.
Bridge 5 Mill
Bridge 5 Mill was Manchester's first Centre for Change, a converted five story mill on the border of Beswick and Ancoats on the Ashton Canal, it was named after the fifth bridge on the canal: bridge number 5. It became "a focal point for debate and action around sustainability" It is home to a range of charities, campaign groups and green businesses. The centre provides community resources including conference and meeting rooms, a library, equipment hire and offices for voluntary groups and social enterprises.
Environment Network for Manchester
The Environment Network for Manchester (EN4M) was established by MERCi and is based at Bridge 5 Mill. It is a membership organisation made up of groups and organisations which share MERCi's aim of improving the environment of Manchester, towards the development of a truly sustainable city.
Herbie
Herbie is a mobile greengrocer set up by MERCi in 2004 to provide affordable, fresh fruit and vegetables to residents living in areas of East Manchester with poor access to fresh foods. Customers can walk on board and they also supply boxes of fruit to schools and community projects, working with sheltered housing, churches, health clinics and resident groups.
Mission statement
According to their website, MERCi’s mission statement is: