A photograph of  Spontaneous City in the Tree of Heaven, an art installation, much loved and previously sited here, now removed due to natural decay and replaced by Pillars of Community, a collaboration between Friends of Duncan Terrace & Colebrooke Gardens, Islington Council and Green Earth Habitats. The pillar habitats support biodiversity and sustainability within the gardens.

Join us for our upcoming Gardening Days:

• Saturday 15 April 2023
• Saturday 20 May 2023
• Saturday 17 June 2023
• Saturday 08 July 2023

Each Community Gardening Day runs on a Saturday, from 10.00am – 3.00 pm; volunteers come for as little or as much as they can manage. We’d love you to join us – the more hands the better!

Why volunteer?

Volunteering in Duncan Terrace or Colebrooke Row Gardens is great fun and may involve various tasks such as planting, weeding, pruning and watering to name a few.

Tips to keep yourself and others safe whilst volunteering on site:

Clothing

Working in the gardens can be dirty work. We would advise that you wear loose, appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. You should wear sturdy footwear and gloves at all times. In the lovely English weather you may sometimes find waterproof clothing very handy.

Tools

Tools are provided by the Friends of Duncan Terrace & Colebrooke Row Gardening Group and will be distributed by the session’s group leader. A tool talk by the group leader is necessary to anyone using tools onsite. It is important that volunteers feel comfortable using equipment and do not use anything that they are uncomfortable with. There is no pressure to do any tasks that you don’t want to do.

Some tools that you may use will require specific training which will be provided by the Islington Council Greenspace team.

Lifting

Lifting anything can injure your back; it doesn’t need to be something heavy. When lifting bin bags, plants, tools etc make sure you use the correct techniques. Bend your knees, keep your back straight and try not to make any awkward movements. If something is heavy it is much better if you ask someone to help you rather than try to do it yourself.

Members of the Public

Both Duncan Terrace & Colebrooke Row Gardens are open from 8am until dusk so it is very unlikely the park will be closed to the public whilst you are working. Please be courteous and friendly to everyone. Make sure tools, equipment, rubbish bags, etc are not blocking the paths and be wary when using tools around other people.

If you feel you are being threatened or fear for your safety at any point, try to walk away from the situation and call the Police on 999 immediately.

Dogs

People like to walk their dogs and sometimes they will not be on leads. If the dog is too close to a work area then politely ask the owner to put it under control. If this does not work, then stop the job you are on and finish when the dog is out of the way. You will come across dog mess from time to time; this can be shovelled and put into a bin bag or one of the onsite bins.

Please remember to wash your hands before eating and once you have finished working.