Xiaohongshu
Grown for Good: A Herbal Walk with Hackney Herbal
đź•“ Duration: 90 minutes
đź“Ť Start: Marshgate Building (Main Entrance), UCL East
đź“Ť End: GROW, Hackney Wick
🪙 Ticket Price: £3, including a free hot drink +treat at a Local Social Enterprise
đź’¬ Led by: Hackney Herbal, experts in herbs, wellbeing, and community-led social impact
Join us for a 90 minute social enterprise walking tour led by Hackney Herbal, the East London social enterprise promoting health and wellbeing through herbs. Co-founded in 2015 by UCL Alumni Nat Mady and based just around the corner in Hackney Wick, Hackney Herbal grows, forages and blends herbs into teas, with the profits reinvested into free community wellbeing activities and partnerships with mental health charities.
Starting at UCL and finishing at Hackney Wick, this guided journey will take you through the green corners of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Hackney Wick, showing you the wild plants growing on your doorstep and introducing you to the social enterprises rooted in the local area. Along the way you'll learn how these organisations are tackling big issues such as wellbeing, social inclusion, and reconnecting people with nature, all while using business as a force for good.
You'll discover how the "weeds" between the pavement cracks have been used for food, tea and traditional remedies for centuries, hear the stories behind the plants that different cultures across Hackney value, and see how one social enterprise turns herbs into both a livelihood and a community resource. No prior knowledge needed, just bring your curiosity and comfortable shoes.
Whether you’re curious about social entrepreneurship, looking to connect with others interested in social change, or simply want to see the Olympic Park from a new perspective, this interactive experience promises an inspiring mix of tuning into the sense, learning and walking.
After 90 minutes of walking and talking, we'll end at GROW, an independent, self-organised music and arts venue, cafe, bar and kitchen in Hackney Wick. We'll share a hot drink and snack for those who want to stay until 2pm, or if you're needing to get back, you're just moments away from the Overground, and in a great location to explore other East London favourites around the corner.
This is a guided walking tour, and we’ll be walking no matter the weather — so bring a brolly, sun protection, and pack anything you need to stay comfortable. We’ll make an adventure of it!
Please note that no money can be refunded if you do not show up on the day of the tour. Spaces are limited and we would like to ensure that all students who want to attend are able to, so please contact us in advance if plans change.
This sessions will be photographed for UCL Students’ Union marketing and communications purposes, or for external media coverage (e.g. websites, magazines, or social media). Consent to be photographed, recorded, or filmed will be confirmed at the session and anyone is able to opt-out at any time.