Community Volunteering event, Saturday 8 March, 10:00-14:00
The Edward Hain Centre is excited to launch The Big Dig, a community volunteering event that marks the very first step in transforming our long‑neglected walled garden into a vibrant wellbeing and social space for all who visit the Centre.
We’re calling on 10 strong, enthusiastic volunteers to roll up their sleeves, join our team, and help prepare the space. Professional landscaping will then be carried out by Cormac ltd.
Your time, energy, and community spirit will play a direct role in bringing this long‑awaited project to life!
Why We’re Doing This
Our small walled garden has been out of action for years: overgrown, uneven, and filled with debris. Thanks to newly secured funding, we finally have the chance to revive it. But before any landscaping can begin, the space needs to be cleared and made safe.
However, restoring this garden isn’t just about tidying up a patch of land. It’s about unlocking a space that will become:
- A wellbeing area for mindfulness, gentle movement, and relaxation
- A home for gardening clubs and nature‑based community projects
- A safe outdoor space for home‑educated children to learn and explore
- A peaceful quiet zone for visitors needing calm between appointments
- A venue for workshops, creative activities, and community events
- A welcoming outdoor area where volunteers can gather, meet, and recharge
- A natural environment suitable for therapy and support sessions
Clearing the garden is the foundation that will make all these things possible. It’s the start of turning an unused area into a place full of life, connection, and wellbeing. And this is where YOU come in!
What We Need Help With
On our Big Dig day, volunteers will help us:
- Remove overgrown vegetation and soil
- Clear hazards, loose bricks, debris, and old roots
- Tidy edges, remove moss, leaves, and soil buildup
- Scrape weeds from patio cracks and brush away algae
- Hose down or pressure wash the patio
- Check and clear drainage channels
- Level uneven areas
- Clean planters
- Collect and bag waste for removal
As you can see from the photos below, our previous clear-up events have been fun and rewarding. It’s a grand work-out – and this is our biggest outdoor volunteering project yet. So if you love a challenge, we’d love you to join us!
Tools to bring (if available): Gloves, pruning tools, loppers, hedge trimmers, rake, spade, wheelbarrow, saw, strimmer.
Refreshments will be provided, and our team will be on hand throughout.
Please note: some tasks will involve manual lifting and movement.
Big Dig Details
- When: Saturday 8 March 2026, 10:00–14:00
- Where: Back of The Edward Hain Centre (parking available)
- Who: Edward Hain Centre staff, volunteers, and YOU!
Why It Matters
Clearing this space now means we can soon create a beautiful, functional outdoor area that benefits everyone who walks through our doors. Volunteers often tell us how meaningful it feels to contribute to something lasting, a place that will bring joy, calm, connection, and creativity for years to come.
Your support at The Big Dig will help turn this vision into reality!
If you’re able to spare a few hours, we’d be incredibly grateful to have you with us.
To join us in The Big Dig, contact the Edward Hain Centre team, subject ‘Big Dig,’ at community.volunteering@edwardhaincentre.org.uk
Let’s dig in, together!
With many thanks to the LHC Procurement Group, admininstered by Locality, for the generous funding which has made this exciting project possible.
