Planting the seeds for a greener Pollards Hill

The National Trust will be bringing their special brand of nature and nurture to Pollards Hill as they launch a year-long programme on the estate.

The Trust will be engaging our residents in environmental activities, boosting employability and wellbeing and creating beautiful, green spaces around Pollards Hill. Moat Foundation and Pollards Hill Community Committee (PHCC) will fund a full schedule of activities:

• The National Trust will build upon their successful Urban Rangers programme, which gives young people the tools and skills to improve and look after outdoor spaces. Over the last two years, this scheme has engaged over 30 local students in gardening activities within the wider Merton area. Moving forward, there’ll be a greater focus on Pollards Hill as the students put their skills to use around the estate.
• Young residents and locals will receive training in tool use, shelter building, planting, habitat creation and bush craft.
• Tutors from the award-winning May Project will be working with Pollards Hill Youth Centre to offer weekly sessions which empower young people through music, media and gardening.
• With their newfound skills, our young participants will organise community action days where all residents can take part in planting up designated areas.

Off with a bang

To launch this exciting initiative, we hosted residents, Harris Academy students and the National Trust at a tree planting event within the estate. The area chosen was a former fly-tipping hotspot and, after some prepping and priming, was filled with 50 new trees. The event gave residents the chance to get involved and learn more about the National Trust’s plans for Pollards Hill. It marks the start of greater community engagement and rounds off a successful regeneration programme.