Top marks to eight employee volunteers from the Hilton London Metropole who spent the morning refreshing outdoor benches and protecting tree roots at a local primary school on 22 July 2026.
Volunteers treated seven trees with the compost.
The enthusiastic team spent the morning in the sun at Hallfield Primary School giving benches a splash of paint as well as adding much-needed mulch to trees.
Hallfield Primary School occupies a large site providing lots of outdoor space for over 300 pupils, aged 2 to 11. Many of its pupils live in flats on the nearby Hallfield Estate with little access to outdoor space at home.
The Grade II listed building and its grounds require constant upkeep, so the support from the volunteer team was vital to maintain the grounds for pupils, staff and visitors to enjoy.
The volunteers split into two sub teams, one to lead the gardening tasks and the other to lead on painting the benches.
The gardening team began by loading the wheelbarrow with mulch and transporting it to the seven trees all nestled in different spots across the playground and the school’s forecourt. Volunteers spread an even layer of mulch – a mixture of compost and tree bark – around the base of the tree trunk to help lock in moisture and present weeds. This was repeated until all seven of the trees had received much needed TLC.
Volunteers had a wheelie good time.
Mulching the roots helps prevent weeds.
Meanwhile, the painting team began by scrubbing dirt off the existing benches and wiping away residue, before transferring the benches to large dust sheets to begin painting. The first coat of paint was applied to each bench in turn, allowing time for the paint to dry on each before applying the next coat.
The two sub teams then came together to put their efforts jointly into transforming one further bonus bench. All benches were painted in a shade of green paint called Wild Thyme, fitting as the benches will allow pupils to sit among the school’s vegetable and herb garden.
Painting pals. Four benches were given a new lease of life.
The Hilton team invite everyone to enjoy the newly painted benches.
Team challenge complete!
Huge thanks to the volunteer team at Hilton London Metropole for their enthusiasm, passion and dedication to transform the playground, and for kindly purchasing the paint required for this task.
The activity was arranged as part of our Community Programme which supports Marble Arch BID members to engage in the community. From environmental projects to skill-sharing to coffee mornings, there is something to suit every community engagement plan that creates memorable moments and sustainable impact.
