A local college is being helped to transform an overgrown space into a garden for the students to enjoy, and give the unloved spot a new lease of life.

Greener Ealing Ltd, (GEL) Ealing Council’s waste, recycling and grounds maintenance contractor, is carrying out the three-day makeover project next month at Springhallow Post 16, in Greenford, as part of its commitment to giving back to the community.

The college, in Greenford Road, opened in September 2019 for 16-19 year-olds who have been diagnosed with autism and helps to prepare its students for working life and a pathway to adulthood.

GEL staff will get stuck into the task of clearing weeds, cutting back brambles and preparing the soil for planting between 7-9 June. It is also donating some hand tools to the college to help them to maintain the area. Staff and pupils will also spend time working on the land and sharing their vision with the volunteers.

The college hopes to turn the small area of land, which is owned by the council, into a place where the students, and the wider community, can come and take part in planting and caring for the area. There are ideas to include a herb garden, wild flowers and growing vegetables.

Katie Morley, assistant headteacher at the college (Post 16), said: “I was really pleased to learn that Greener Ealing offered this kind of help to community projects. This means that we can start to bring to life a project that we have high hopes for. It will be really beneficial to us to have a dedicated area to teach our students about plants, nature and gardening as well as developing life skills.”

Kevin O’Leary, interim managing director at GEL, added: “We are really pleased to be able to offer some help to the college with what it wants to achieve. Ealing’s communities are important to us, beyond the usual day-to-day service we provide. We are a local business that wants to give something back that will be of benefit to others.”

Greener Ealing is owned by Ealing Council and launched in July 2020 when it took over from the council’s previous waste contractor. Figures show improvements in the borough’s street cleanliness and waste collections since GEL took over.

Need a hand?
Do you know of a local community project that could do with a helping hand from Greener Ealing? Get in touch by emailing GELcommunications@ealing.gov.uk