Volunteering in Redbridge’s parks continues to make a significant impact, with more than 55 local residents joining weekly ranger-led sessions throughout the year to help care for the borough’s green spaces.
Park rangers organise a varied programme of hands-on activities across parks and open spaces, giving residents the opportunity to support conservation and maintenance efforts. Tasks range from planting flowers and maintaining beds to pruning, watering, mulching, litter picking, clearing leaves, updating noticeboards, and even sweeping sports courts. Larger maintenance projects also form part of the year-round schedule.
To thank volunteers for their dedication, Vision Redbridge hosted a special Christmas celebration on Thursday 11 December at Ray Park, Walled Garden. The event featured an awards ceremony recognising those who had given the most time to supporting the borough’s parks.
This year’s top contributors were:
- 1st place to Paul – 176 volunteering hours with the ranger team, plus 32 hours independently (208 total).
- 2nd place to Jan – 126 hours with the team, plus an extraordinary 718 hours independently in local parks (844 total).
- 3rd place to Gill – 105.5 hours with the team.
Collectively, volunteers contributed 1,166.5 hours during organised sessions, along with 870 hours spent independently caring for parks – a combined 2,036.5 hours of community-driven support in 2025.
Jan, one of the year’s most dedicated volunteers, reflected on what motivates her involvement:
“I’m proud to say I am a Vision volunteer, spending my days mainly in our beautiful Claybury Park. I often get asked why I do it, and the short answer is that the greatest gift you can give to the community is yourself and your time. When you volunteer, the rewards come back to you in other ways.”
Gill explained that volunteering gives her a strong sense of purpose and wellbeing, while also offering the chance to meet new people, learn new skills, and spend healthy, active time outdoors. She enjoys contributing to the environment, values the friendly banter within the volunteer WhatsApp group, and appreciates that outdoor volunteering is now even recommended by doctors to support mental health.
