Dobcroft is a 5 acre nature reserve managed by Intact which is maintained by fabulous volunteer led Friends of Dobcroft and Land Management Team. It is a protected due to the rare Great Crested Newt which inhabits this natural haven in the heart of the Ingol community.

 

“The value to people of green spaces and nature has certainly been emphasised over the last few years. Thankfully, small groups of volunteers were able to continue to work safely on Dobcroft during the dark days of the pandemic, which provided the opportunity to maintain and improve the sensitive wildlife habitats of Dobcroft.

“The experience of the pandemic emphasised our core belief that Dobcroft is as much about people as it is about its special wildlife. Dobcroft is a beautiful and tranquil natural resource that provides relief and escape from difficult and challenging times.” Denise Hartley MBE, CEO

Awards and recognitions

The wide range of awards and recognitions received between 2023 and 2025 underscore the project’s meaningful contribution to community involvement, heritage engagement, environmental improvement, and digital inclusion.

Environmental and community excellence

2023 & 2024 – Level 5 ‘Outstanding’ in RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards (Britain in Bloom)
This top-tier recognition, awarded consecutively, showcases the sustained efforts of volunteers in transforming and maintaining Dobcroft as a vibrant, biodiverse, and welcoming space.

2023 – RHS Northwest Environmental Quality Award
This award highlights our commitment to biodiversity, community participation, and long-term environmental stewardship.

2025 – Community Green Flag Status
Results in July 2025. This nationally recognised mark of quality will demonstrate our high standard of site care, environmental practices, and community involvement. It will affirm our success in engaging the public and volunteers in maintaining the site’s accessibility and biodiversity.

Education, learning, and digital inclusion

2024 – Lancashire Adult Learning Recognition Award: Community Partner of the Year
This award celebrates our collaboration with Lancashire Adult Learning to deliver inclusive, accessible learning for adults, directly supporting:

• people to develop skills, especially through formal learning and digital inclusion programmes.
• people to learn about heritage, leading to change in ideas and actions, as participants gain new perspectives on local heritage and environmental responsibility.

2025 – Disability Confident Employer (Renewed Status)
Our renewed status under this national scheme reflects our focus on accessibility and inclusive participation. It supports:

• a wide range of people to get involved in heritage, including those with additional support needs.
• people through wellbeing, by ensuring everyone has equal opportunity to contribute meaningfully.

Volunteer leadership and community empowerment

2025 – Community Team of the Year, UCLan Volunteering and Community Leadership Awards
This award recognises the Dobcroft Land Management Team’s pivotal role in delivering habitat and heritage improvements through grassroots leadership. It showcases achievements in:

• empowering and training volunteers.
• enhancing site management and knowledge sharing visits with other reserves.
• enabling people to gain greater wellbeing, reflecting the personal growth and mental health benefits reported by volunteers.