For alliteration fans, Winchmore Hill’s Woodcroft Wildspace (London N21) is a dream come true, and so is for any garden and wildlife fans of all ages.
Walking through Woodcroft Wildspace reminded me of my holiday at Oakdown in Devon: Woodcroft boasts an orchard, a wild flowers and long grass meadow, ponds and even an apiary with bees. Woodcroft is basically a miniature nature reserve in North London where adults and children can spend hours spotting different types of birds, insects and even amphibians. After a successful planning application to turn a former sports ground into wild space, Woodcroft has been lovingly tending plants and insects thanks to the help of volunteers. Woodcroft relies on volunteers to keep this lovely bit of green in good order so many generations to come will be able to enjoy it.
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Do I Need any Prior Experience to Volunteer?
No, as a garden volunteer you don’t need specific knowledge – you just turn up and share your time lending a hand with what needs doing. It could be anything from watering the plants to tidying up a path clipping away at overgrown brambles and nettles.
For example, on my first day as a volunteer I watered some fruit trees (I learned that they need so much water!) and helped clear out an earth mound.
You will pick valuable skills as you go along – a volunteer told me she learned a lot about gardening and has started her own vegetable garden at home.
Depending on space and demand, you could potentially have a small allotment. Just check with the volunteer coordinators for availability.
So, if you live in Enfield Council, why not spare 2-3 hours a week doing some gardening and making this plot of land a pleasant area for the community to enjoy?
Benefits of Becoming a Garden Volunteer
There’s so many health and well-being benefits associated in doing some volunteering work, and if you combine those to being in the fresh air, it all gets even better.
As I said, one of the key benefits is getting some fresh air; but there’s also the opportunity to see the results of your labour (even eating the fruits of your labour), meet new people, learn a new skill for life and even get some exercise.
In fact, you will be surprised at how much your muscles will ache the following day (or the same evening) from lifting, clipping, pushing, pulling, carrying and so forth. It is an all-body workout!
Find Out More About Woodcroft Wildspace
Woodcroft Wildspace won a GOLD Award in the 2014 Enfield in Bloom competition for best environmental /wildlife garden/meadow.
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Picture credits: Paola Bassanese
