Redbridge residents invited to start volunteering

Redbridge residents are being encouraged to use Volunteers’ Week 2026 as a starting point for getting involved in local community work, from gardening and park clean-ups to repair projects and one-off roles.

Redbridge Council says the borough already relies on volunteers who give time to improve streets, parks and neighbourhood spaces. The council is highlighting practical routes into volunteering for people who can commit regularly, occasionally or just for a single event.

Community gardening in Wanstead and beyond

Community gardening is one route for residents who want to improve outdoor spaces close to home. The council says groups can help bring bare or neglected land back into use, with adopted spaces requiring a minimum 12-month commitment.

In Wanstead, Susie, a volunteer with Wanstead Community Gardeners, said gardening had helped her meet neighbours while making local spaces more welcoming. She said the group had received compliments on its planting and that the work had made a visible difference to the area.

The council is also pointing residents towards local biodiversity and eco projects, including schemes aimed at keeping streets and green spaces in better condition.

Litter picks and park action days

Residents can volunteer with park rangers through Park Action Days, helping tackle litter and support the upkeep of local parks.

Monthly litter picks also take place in Wanstead, led by local councillors on the third Saturday of each month at 10am, with volunteers meeting at the bus stop on Woodbine Place. Equipment is provided. The South Woodford Society also runs monthly litter picks for residents who want to help keep the area clean.

Louise Burgess, Sustainability Lead for The South Woodford Society, said litter picking can make a visible difference in a short time and helps people feel more connected to their local area.

Skills, confidence and community links

Redbridge Council says volunteering can support physical and mental wellbeing, help residents learn skills, build confidence, make friends and widen local support networks.

Other options include volunteering through Vision Redbridge, Culture and Leisure, Community Action Redbridge, and Transition Town Ilford, which runs activities linked to wellbeing, sustainability and resilience.

At Redbridge Central Library, Alvin, 82, volunteers as a repair expert at Repair Café events run by Transition Town Ilford. The former engineer helps fix household items for free and shares repair skills so residents can keep everyday objects in use for longer.

Source: Redbridge Council