After finishing my volunteering role as a token sorter at the Lloyd Parkrun, I decided to take part in a gardening task in Croydon for the first time.

When I arrived, Pam, the task owner, greeted me with a big hug, even though she had never met me before. Her warm welcome immediately made me feel comfortable and included. I also met several GoodGym Croydon members who regularly take part in this task every two weeks.

Pam began by showing us around Coombe Wood Gardens and sharing some of the history of this beautiful hidden gem. The gardens were originally developed for Arthur Lloyd, with James Pulham & Son designing the famous rock garden, pool and waterfall. The gardens were opened to the public in 1948 after Croydon Corporation purchased the estate. Today, they are maintained by the London Borough of Croydon.

Pam also shared how she became involved as a volunteer and explained how passionate she is about preserving the beauty of the gardens. As I walked around Coombe Wood, I felt as though I had been transported to the Peak District. Pam joked that the original design was intended to give visitors the feeling of being somewhere like Stonehenge.

After the tour, Pam showed us where the gardening tools were kept and divided us into two groups. One group worked on clearing an area that was heavily covered in ivy, while the group I joined focused on cutting back dry plants and ivy and spreading wood chippings over a weed barrier. It was amazing to see how much the area changed as we worked.

While Eunice, another GoodGym volunteer, and I were working, several visitors stopped to compliment us on our efforts and the improvements we were making. Their positive comments were very encouraging and made the work feel even more rewarding.

At the end of the task, Pam kindly treated us to a well-earned coffee and explained how much our help contributes to maintaining the gardens. She was also delighted to see so many volunteers taking part that day.

I really enjoyed the experience, especially Pam''s warm and welcoming nature. She was very friendly, helpful, and made me feel comfortable from the moment I arrived. I also enjoyed learning about the history of Coombe Wood Gardens, meeting fellow volunteers, and helping to maintain such a beautiful and valuable community space. It was a very rewarding experience, and I look forward to taking part in more gardening tasks in the future.