Olden Community Garden offers local people opportunities for education and recreation, with the aim of increasing involvement in the community and reducing isolation.

The volunteer-run charity – Olden Community Garden - manages the garden and woodland, with the object to promote a community space for the benefit of people living or working in the London Borough of Islington.

Guided by our part-time gardeners, volunteers maintain and develop our 1.5 acre site, listed as a Borough Grade 1 Site of Importance to Nature Conservation.

Why the community needs us
Many local families in the city do not have gardens of their own and appreciate spending time in our unique garden and woodland, set on a steep railway siding in Highbury.
We enable primary school and pre-school pupils to experience gardens and nature.
Our Garden House and patio provide the ideal environment for training days and other events for staff from our local social services teams.
Our ‘veg patches’ and greenhouse are used by volunteers as a local hub for seeds and seedlings, and support food growing across Islington.

Our impact on the community
Local people learn new skills, enjoy being outdoors, make new friends and are part of our community in the garden.
We welcome volunteers with learning difficulties at our volunteer gardening days.
Our garden, woodland and facilities are enjoyed by playgroups, local school groups, forest school activities and social services staff teams. 
Olden Garden is particularly appreciated by older people as a safe space to socialise and relax.