Earlier this week, members of our New Wear Footbridge team swapped steel and concrete for trowels and compost at A Space 2 Grow, a local community garden in Sunderland.
The team rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in—jet washing paving stones, weeding, building a brick border around the rose beds, constructing a bench, and donating hand-built composting boxes made from recycled scaffolding boards.
In addition to their hands-on efforts, the team donated £250 to support A Space 2 Grow’s ongoing work and future initiatives.
Community gardens like A Space 2 Grow offer more than just a place to grow vegetables. They serve as vital green spaces that boost wellbeing, promote social connection, and support local biodiversity—from beetles and butterflies to birds and bees.
Volunteering provided the team with a valuable opportunity to engage with the local community, build stronger relationships away from the construction site, and reconnect with the natural environment—all while making a tangible difference.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers at A Space 2 Grow for their warm welcome and for the incredible work they do to keep this urban oasis thriving.