Green Community Connectors + Environmental Hub in Peckham

Funding Amount: £50,000

What your project will deliver: This funding will allow us to pilot and establish a community-led environmental hub. This will focus on sustainability, biodiversity, and wellbeing. The hub will serve as a launchpad for resident-led environmental projects supported by trained Green Community Connectors.

Key project deliverables:

• One pilot hub in the neighbourhood (one initially, followed by a second as the project grows)
• Recruitment and training of a small team of volunteer Green Community Connectors - local people employed or trained to support residents in developing their ideas
• Regular drop-in sessions, workshops, and events at the hubs for people to explore and develop community environmental projects (e.g. growing clubs, natural dyeing, herbal remedies, repair cafes, composting collectives)
• Small grants programme to fund resident-led sustainability and biodiversity projects. Local people will be able to apply for small funds to support their ideas.
• Partnerships with other organisations and local charities to provide training, mentoring and support.
• Dedicated spaces within the hub for meetings, co-design and small-scale making or growing activities.

The goal is not just to deliver one-off activities but to build long-term capacity, confidence and connection so that residents can take the lead in shaping a more sustainable neighbourhood. It will also encourage more sustainable behaviours across the community.

Who the project is for:

This project is for residents living in Peckham, especially those who are disproportionately affected by environmental and health inequalities.

Our focus is on:

• People who want to take action locally but don’t know how to start
• Communities who face barriers to accessing green space, funding or support
• Young people seeking skills and purpose
• Older residents at risk of isolation
• Families and carers who want low-cost, local nature-based activities
• Unemployed or underemployed residents who could benefit from training pathways in sustainability or community organising

The project also brings together existing local organisations and residents doing important work in climate action, food security and community health. We would want to offer them space, coordination, opportunities to collaborate and visibility.

The difference it will make:

This project directly tackles environmental and social inequalities by creating access to green resources, learning and community leadership.

Key outcomes:

• Improved mental health and wellbeing through nature-based activities, social connection and purposeful community action
• Increased access to healthy choices, such as growing food locally, reducing waste and reusing resources
• Empowering residents with the tools, space and confidence to lead change in their own communities
• Stronger intergenerational and cross-cultural connections through shared environmental work
• A growing network of trained local volunteer Green Community Connectors who continue supporting others beyond the life of the project

The funding will allow us to:

• Find and partner with an accessible community and environmental hub space
• Recruit and train local volunteer Green Community Connectors
• Deliver a programme of workshops, drop-ins and community co-design sessions
• Provide small grants to support resident-led sustainability and biodiversity projects.
• Partner with training providers and community organisations to upskill residents in areas like project design, facilitation and environmental awareness
• Invest in basic equipment, tools, and materials for hands-on activities and projects

Anything else we should know: Arbor is well-placed to lead this work, with strong local roots, existing partnerships, and a clear track record of community-led green engagement. With the right funding, we believe this project can become a replicable model for building local climate resilience, wellbeing and empowerment.