CSR Team-Building Volunteering – in person at Core Arts’ beautiful community gardens in Hackney

Our out-of-the-office team–building sessions cover a range of outdoor land-based activities throughout the seasons across our 3 inspiring community gardens, street greening, and meadow and orchard in local park. Whatever the time of year, and whatever the weather, these sessions are always:

  • Fun and rewarding
  • Well-organised
  • Fully supported

For over 12 years we have engaged with 1000’s of corporate volunteers, from over 50 companies, setting up and managing community growing projects in 4 different ‘meanwhile’ sites in 3 East London Boroughs; supporting the positive mental health of 100’s of beneficiaries and visitors every year. Now firmly rooted in Hackney, we inspire others to create gardens anywhere, anyhow to promote positive mental health for all using sustainable growing techniques.
This all results in rewarding, and informative, team-building days for your employees – regularly offering more than meets the eye…
These in-person sessions accommodate groups of 10 – 25 people and are bespoke for your team.

Activities can include both challenging physical work and gentler, less physically strenuous tasks, depending on the needs of the people taking part, all coordinated by enthusiastic and friendly staff. Training is given on the day and volunteers’ ideas and skill-sets are utilised wherever possible.
Past projects include making a green roof, path building, ‘habitat hedge’ creation, planting borders, making bug hotels, and building ponds.
The aim is for people to feel rewarded by what they can achieve together in a session, clearly see the difference their help has made in supporting our charity, and have a break from the office environment.

Feedback is unanimously positive from a wide variety of employees; People particularly enjoy learning new skills in beautiful outdoor spaces, the teamwork challenges, the mental respite from an office environment and knowing they are helping to support a project with a large impact in the local community and beyond.

By supporting our innovative multi award-winning project in this way you are helping to develop green spaces in Hackney for community wellbeing that help people recover from, manage and prevent mental ill health.

“It’s more than just a garden – it brought me back.” Core Landscapes beneficiary

Cost £65 per head for a 3-hour session (morning or afternoon). This covers staff pre-planning time, coordination on the day, 12+ photos + feedback, and a donation to the charity.

“Really nice to do something with your hands, touching plants and soil alongside other people. It’s a break from the computer. Great too that you can be working together on a communal project but not heavily engaging with each other if you don’t feel like it – that’s quite nice too.”

“As a foreigner designer passionate about nature, I was very happy to in finding a green hub where I can get in touch with local culture, meet new people and keep learning about plants and gardens.”

“I want to say thank you for all your support and teachings! I carry them with me.”

“There is always so much to learn and share.”

“Not only do I feel I am gaining experience & knowledge but week to week I am enjoying my time here so much. I am very grateful to be part of the project. It absolutely benefits my mental health & encourages wellbeing – Tuesdays are my favourite day of the week!”

“At some other services there is a lack of engagement and clarity but at Core the purpose is really clear and honest in that way. People need that. – Even as a volunteer. The project exists because this is needed. It’s good to have mental health up front so we can talk about it. (It’s) very reassuring – the clarity it good.”

“I am really enjoying being in an environment with like minded people that are curious to learn more, share knowledge & work as a team towards a common goal. I have met great people. I believe Core Landscapes is a fantastic initiative to encourage wellbeing.”

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