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The trend for making cities greener and protecting the countryside is gathering pace.  And it's attracted volunteers who like to get down and dirty in a bid to improve their local environment.

Your Space or Mine gives an insight into some of the schemes organised by Groundwork, where local people who care about the space where they live carry out work that improves their community for everyone.   

Under the watchful eye of TV gardening pro, Tommy Walsh, it takes us to five projects across Britain to see how groups and individuals really are making a difference to their communities.


Youth Work and New Playgrounds

We visit Nottingham, where gun crime is at an all time high and opportunities for young people to go astray are all too prevalent. In St. Anne's provision is being made for a new play area on a patch of wasteland by local parents who used the area themselves as kids.

Across town at Colville Street, a youth group - the All Equals group - has been set up as a meeting place for young people. They can get training in youth work, and have fun doing sports, going on trips together, or getting involved in film making.


Going Organic

The third scheme takes us to Burnley, where an alternative to our consumerist lifestyle is offered in the shape of a permaculture garden and visitor centre, where organic fruit and veg is provided to local people with minimal environmental damage. The Offshoots Permaculture Project is located in the grounds of Towneley Hall, a stately home dating back to the 1400s. The garden survives through the help and expertise of dedicated volunteers.

Green Fingers

Hackney in East London has more green spaces than any other part of inner-city London. In these days of drought the local trees need looking after, so a local group of tree lovers – the Tree Musketeers - spend their time planting, watering and caring for the young trees in their area.

Walking in the Welsh Valleys

Welsh woodlands are being made accessible to tourists, school and community groups and people with disabilities by a group of volunteers in the Rhondda Valley. Every Wednesday a group from the Greencare programme meet to repair dry stone walls, build steps and pathways so that some of the most beautiful areas in the country may be appreciated by us all. 

Groundwork is a federation of Trusts across Britain which is deeply involved in working with local communities to improve the quality of the local environment and the lives of local people. Each Trust is a partnership of the public, private and voluntary sectors. 

All the schemes featured in Your Space or Mine are supported and run by volunteers, although not all Groundwork Trusts projects are run in the same way. To find out more about volunteering opportunities or the work of the Trust go to the Groundworks website.