North Acton Guerrilla Gardeners

North Acton Guerrilla Gardeners began with the idea: visible, practical action can transform neglected public spaces and encourage others to take part!

The initiative grew from work begun several years ago in Old Park Royal, particularly around Dragor Road and Standard Road. Since September 2025, we have expanded our regular activity across North Acton Square, Old Oak and Old Park Royal. Volunteers have planted and maintained planters, watered plants, removed weeds and graffiti and carried out regular litter picking.

The most visible change has been at North Acton Square. The banks were previously full of broken bottles, cans and other rubbish and rats and graffiti were recurring problems. Consistent cleaning, planting and maintenance have helped make the square feel welcoming again. Families, children and older people now spend time there and local residents regularly tell us how much the space has improved.

This was particularly important during the summer, when the square hosted World Cup screenings, regular film screenings and a large community dinner. At times more than 500 people used the square. Volunteers helped prepare it before events and clear up afterwards, demonstrating that it could successfully host large and inclusive community activities.

The project has involved approximately 30–35 different direct volunteers, with more than 50 volunteer attendances. We also delivered 29 Mom and Maum environmental wellbeing sessions, attended by approximately 40 local people. Participants helped sweep and clear the square before sessions and were encouraged to explore the planting and consider how the immediate environment contributes to wellbeing. Allowing for overlap, the combined programme reached approximately 60–65 different people.

An important success has been building strong working relationships. On North Acton Square, we coordinate closely with Richard from the council’s street-cleansing team. In Old Park Royal, Greener Ealing has provided invaluable help with dumped rubbish on Dragor Road and Standard Road. Local businesses have supported the work by providing volunteers, making planters and offering practical assistance. We have also connected with existing groups along the canal at Old Oak.

Watering during the hot weather has been a major challenge, as has coordinating volunteers who have different availability. We are addressing this through a water bowser and a regular weekly programme: Wednesday mornings in Old Park Royal, Thursday mornings on North Acton Square and Friday mornings at Old Oak.

Our advice to anyone considering a similar project is simple: just start. Take a rubbish bag, pick up litter visibly and talk to people while you work. You only need one other person to support you. More people notice than you might think and those conversations gradually build awareness, relationships and momentum.

This project has been funded by Ealing Council through the Your Voice, Your Town initiative.