Last week, a large group of excited volunteers descended on three Westminster housing estates to help enhance communal green spaces for residents. Over 230 Grosvenor staff joined Groundwork trainees to help reinvigorate communal and resident gardens around Lisson Green Estate, with additional work at Morris House and Fisherton Street.
Grosvenor staff gave 1500+ volunteering hours to help residents at Lisson Green maintain their prestigious Green Flag award, which recognises well-run green spaces. Volunteers worked alongside Green Team trainees to replant flower beds with plants that are low maintenance but encourage biodiversity and cleared overgrown weeds to improve residents’ views of the gardens. They also joined Westminster Wheels trainees to repair old bikes to be sold or donated to people in need in the local community.
The day was made possible because of our ongoing relationship with Groundwork and Grosvenor, who also support the Green Team and Westminster Wheels; two initiatives set up by the Council to help up-skill residents looking for work or a change of career. Grosvenor, who manage properties and places across London, is partnering with Groundwork London as part of its Greener Futures programme, which includes grants for local climate action as well as fundraising and volunteering.
The volunteering day was organised with Westminster’s Resident Advocate Team and took months of planning to ensure activities made a real difference to residents.
Residents have already told us that the areas look and feel much better and asked whether the volunteers would consider coming back – there are already plans for Grosvenor to return to Lisson Green over the coming months to ensure the gardens continue looking beautiful.
Debbie Jackson, Executive Director of Growth Planning and Housing, attended the event to thank volunteers.
“Volunteering plays an important part in our Fairer Westminster strategy, making Westminster a healthier and more equitable place for our residents. A collective effort on big days such as this, as well regular, ongoing volunteering, makes a huge difference to communities.”
James Raynor, Chief Executive for Grosvenor Property UK.
“As a property business an important part of our role is to ensure that places have a positive impact on peoples’ everyday lives, from individual buildings to the streets and spaces that knit them together. So, it’s fantastic to come together to deliver improvements that residents have been asking for whilst supporting the councils’ ambitions for better, greener spaces across the borough.”
Graham Parry, Director of Youth, Employment & Skills for Groundwork London.
“We all know how important it is to have high quality green space on our doorsteps. Places to relax, to play, and to meet up with old and new friends. Places that are literally London’s green lungs. We need to value these spaces and help keep them special. Grosvenor’s staff are certainly doing their bit with their support for the Greener Futures programme and the incredible amount of volunteer time they put into Westminster’s green spaces”.
Published: 23 May 2023