Found at the Norfolk Road Allotments, Long Eaton Community Garden (LECG) is a bustling hub for nature and nature-lovers alike. On arrival I spotted several keen volunteers helping to manage a thriving non-profit organic garden, displaying the perfect union between sustainable food production and making space for wildlife.

Since the steering committee was established in 2008, the site has developed to include raised beds, a wildlife pond, bird feeding station and forest school area. It’s an incredibly well-developed space, with care and consideration taken to offer a welcome to all. Facilities such as a kitchenette portacabin, compost loo and sheltered and non-sheltered seating as well as wheel accessibility ensures you can enjoy a glorious few hours onsite.

No compromise has been taken for the needs of the wildlife - nor the yield of produce grown - showing there can be harmony and even mutual benefits to making an outdoor space that suits both people and wildlife. Any spare space is bursting with pollinator-friendly plants to offer a glorious pop of colour and boost the yields of fruit and vegetables grown onsite and beyond in the neighbouring allotment plots.

There is a weekly Monday volunteering session, available 10 am-12 pm and everyone is welcome. There is a range of maintenance tasks available for varying abilities, so there’s always something to keep your hands busy. If you’d like to get involved, please head here for an application form.  

Whilst the Monday session is for adults, the commitment to community cohesion covers little ones as well with the Little Foresters Forest School. Though each session has a theme, child-led learning allows each child to choose activities to suit their interests. From den building, tool use, nature crafts and outdoor play, Forest School offers an incredible way to nurture a connection with our natural world at an early age.

For more information and to book a session, please visit the Little Foresters website