A local community garden for older people has been given a fresh lease of life, thanks to a team of dedicated volunteers from Healthcare Central London.

Five employee volunteers from the organisation, a federation of 31 General Practices across Westminster headquartered at Capital House, spent the day at Penfold Community Hub, rolling up their sleeves to enhance the garden space.

On 20 March 2025, under bright spring sunshine, the team got to work assembling and painting planter boxes and grow beds, as well as composting and weeding to prepare the garden for the new season.

Volunteers assembled and painted a raised grow bed.

Penfold Community Hub, based within a local care home, provides activities for people over 50 in the area, many of whom live with dementia or physical disabilities. Its weekly gardening club is a vital part of the programme, offering older residents a chance to stay active, connect socially, and enjoy the benefits of gardening.

Alongside their hands-on help, Healthcare Central London generously donated a raised planter and multiple bags of compost, resources that will be put to good use by the gardening club. Raised planters play a crucial role in making gardening accessible, allowing members with limited mobility to participate without needing to bend down.

The improvements made by the volunteers will enhance the garden for hundreds of local older people, providing a welcoming outdoor space that promotes wellbeing, physical activity, and social interaction.

The assembled planter box is painted to become weatherproof.

An employee volunteer helps build planter boxes.

Volunteers had fun turning the compost bins.

The Healthcare Central London volunteer team completed their team challenge.

This initiative was organised by Marble Arch BID as part of our Community Programme, which connects employee volunteers with local charities and good causes. From gardening and skill-sharing to mentoring, we offer a wide range of opportunities to help businesses make a meaningful impact in their communities.

If you’re a Marble Arch BID member and would like to get involved in employee volunteering, contact Phil at community@marble-arch.london.