Get your hands dirty! Bring your green fingers! How about some back-to-nature volunteering where small individual gestures add up to something far greater. We're delighted to be working with Think & Do Camden again and the Communi-trees project, with KOKO Foundation, to green up local Camden Estates. We love this work because local stakeholders and estate residents have been consulted with and been able to contribute to the decision-making process of greening their hyper-local environment.
Full address: Sidney Boyd Court, West Hampstead
What 3 Words: ///lakes.landed.hidden. Ask for Robin or Thalia.
What's the deal?
The fantastic project, Communi-trees, needs you! Communi-trees connects local residents with nature, acting as a springboard for climate action while simultaneously greening the borough, enriching biodiversity, improving health and wellbeing, and alleviating the impacts of climate change. It's a flagship KOKO Foundation project in partnership with Think & Do and Camden County Council. Together, they have established self-governed mini forests across eleven local estates, including two orchards.
On the day, you'll be preparing the ground ahead of tree planting. This means in the future small orchards can be planted on the estate! This event will go ahead whatever the weather, so when you sign up - make sure you're prepared to face whatever the British weather throws at us on the day!
You don't need any skills particularly - all the equipment and training will be provided and you'll be supervised and not be working on your own.
... and what's the vibe on the day?
Earthy, fun, getting your hands dirty! Think hot drinks, muddy boots, a friendly & kind group of people making a big difference to a local urban estate and a little difference to the climate. The words we always hear about these Big Help Out opportunities are wholesome and fun! Check out our Instagram to see what other UCL students have been taking part in locally @uclstudentsocialimpact
📢📢 Free hot snacks and drinks provided throughout the morning!
| 08:15 | Meet your Squad at Print Room café and check-in with your Student Events Host from 08:30. We'll shout you a coffee* |
| 09:00 | Squad moves out and travels to the Sidney Boyd Court together** |
| 09:30 | Event begins. Find Robin or Thalia @ What 3 Words: ///lakes.landed.hidden |
| 13:00 | Event ends, make sure you've checked in with your Student Events Host |
| 14:00 | You'll be back on campus or back to your computer! |
*Other hot drinks are available!
**If you have to meet at the Court, please find the Union Host and they'll register you.
Sounds great in theory but I'm still not sure
You may be questioning your life choices right now - it's the start of term and it's cold and dark in London - and, if you're not from here and this is your first year, it's probably come as quite the shock! This is the antidote - coming together for a greater and simple good will bring you light! Working in nature in the rain (highly likely! At best it will be gloomy) may feel like a drag but think cosy hot drinks and a camaraderie that happens uniquely from working in adversity!
In a world of fast and instantaneous everything, from food to fashion, sloooow it down some and do something that is about tomorrow. What you achieve on this day, digging and planting, will only be realised in Spring, when nature springs back into life and the trees take root. Shape the future for the residents of this estate!
Being in nature, slowing things down, doing a good deed - these things are all related to improved mental health and feelings of wellbeing. Imagine how you'll feel from 1/2 a day of all three of these things!
There will be a friendly Student Events Host at each of our events so you can rest assured that when you arrive, you will be seen and someone will make it their business to come and say hi and make sure you're okay. Everyone feels nervous about taking part in something like this - we'll help you triumph over that, we promise!
Please get in touch with the organisers, Robin and Thalia, about family members (especially children) joining you, as it might not be an appropriate activity or insurance does not cover this.