March 2026
Monthly Recap of March
In March, we started our first run of consultations across our initiatives, which are set to continue in April. We also launched a range of volunteering roles, showing several ways to get involved, learn skills and help a good cause. To find out more, keep reading!
Come Along to the FIRST Meadows Menders Repair Café!
Do you own damaged items that we may be able to help fix? Come on down to the first Repair Café on Saturday April 25th, 10am - 1pm at Arkwright Meadows Gardens (AMC), NG2 2HZ. On the day, we can help with jewellery, guitars, textiles, small electricals, woodwork, tool sharpening, bikes and more! It’s free to attend and free to get help with repairs, so come along and extend the life of the things you love.
Please note: bring your own bike tube if you have a flat tyre. If you have garments to mend, please bring thread, as our supply is limited. If you need guitar strings repaired or replaced, bring new strings with you. People who bring their guitars should send pictures and explain the problem beforehand to meadowsmenders@gmail.com.
Register your free space here! Plus, we still need volunteers. If you’d like to get involved, email engage@greenmeadows.uk to find out more.
Volunteer with us!
We have a range of opportunities available for you to support the initiatives tackling climate change and fuel poverty at Nottingham Energy Partnership.
Your involvement helps us reach more households, share practical advice, and support residents to live more sustainably. At the same time, you can support causes important to you, gain experience and be part of a friendly team working to make a positive difference.
There are lots of ways to get involved. Some volunteers join us at community action days, events and festivals, DIY club and more - taking action in their local area and helping people learn simple ways to live more sustainably and efficiently. Others support the charity behind the scenes with administration, research, communications and marketing, helping our projects run smoothly and reach the people who need them.
Emma’s Volunteering Experience
“Volunteering at Green Meadows has been a brilliant experience. As a student in Nottingham, deciding how best to spend your time can be difficult, but spending it volunteering can be very fulfilling - the connections you make with likeminded people are invaluable and your conscience is clear knowing you are doing your part in helping your community.” Find out more about Emma’s volunteer experience here.
To see the list of roles and register your interest, check out NEP’s Volunteering page here.
Community Fridge Volunteers Needed!
Community members have been meeting every Wednesday at the Methodist Church to discuss and launch a Community Fridge in the Meadows - a simple solution to wasting less through the sharing of good quality food.
We need volunteers! From behind-the-scenes organising, to collecting food and supervising open fridge sessions on Wednesday evenings, there’s plenty of ways to get involved. If you live in the Meadows area, this is a great way to help your community - making it easier to attend meetings, help once the fridge is open, pick up food etc. If you’re interested, fill in the form here.
Join a Citizens’ Assembly About the Future of Nottingham’s Environment and Climate
Do you live in Nottingham, within the city boundary?
Are you over 16 years of age?
Are you interested in making our city a good place to live in the future?
Would you enjoy talking with other local people about the future in a safe, positive environment?
If you answer “Yes” to these questions, Nottingham’s Climate Assembly want to hear from you!
About the Citizens’ Assembly
Sunday May 10th and Saturday May 16th at Nottingham Contemporary
“A Citizens’ Assembly is an exciting event where you will learn about and discuss the future of your city. It’s a new way of tackling difficult issues and coming up with positive solutions that build a better world. We will be tackling the following question:
“What would we like the environment of Nottingham to be in the future and how can we move towards it?”
The process requires absolutely no previous knowledge, skills or experience, just a willingness to listen to and consider other people’s views and suggestions. You will take part in interesting activities which will allow the group to find an inclusive and fair way forward for Nottingham.”
If you’re interested in taking part, please complete the online form at Nottingham Environment and Climate Assembly.
All members of the Assembly will receive £150 as a reward for attendance and free public transport and refreshments.
DIY Club Update
We rounded up our Gardening DIY Club sessions and here’s an update on what members have recently made!
Alex built a hedgehog house, a safe, sheltered, dry habitat that could be placed along the Butterfly Walk to support Meadows wildlife. Ron made a stand for the lathe tools, another meaningful contribution to the Hub - a space increasingly shaped by the creations of the DIY Club.
DIY Club is every Friday 4-8pm. No matter skills or experience, all are welcome to come along, make something, and join the fun.
Toolshare Consultation
Toolshare users from the community gathered to discuss the service’s future as we approach the end of our funding period. They shared how valuable they find the Toolshare, perfect for small jobs, more affordable than renting, and an easy way to get DIY jobs done quickly. Additionally, it enables users to access tools they may not be able to afford and has given a sense of satisfaction in liberating residents to do jobs themselves.
The main conversation was the path forwards. We discussed the likelihood of transferring to annual or monthly paid memberships, and the potential to bring opening hours down to reduce costs. We also discussed the importance of keeping the Toolshare in the Meadows, as it encourages people to come down to the Hub to see the other exciting activities available.
Want to keep the Toolshare going?
If you want to use the Toolshare, subscribe for membership. The more people using it and enjoying it increases our chances of keeping it going. We will be opening it for wider membership soon so keep your eyes peeled.
Edible Meadows Consultation
At the recent Edible Meadows session, residents met to plant potatoes and onions, weeded the beds and sowed seeds at the Hub. They are planted up, with lovely DIY signs, creating more spaces for growing food in the local area!
Members of the Edible Meadows Community also met to discuss the sustainability of the movement. Members shared that they got involved because “it’s like a club” and a great way to “meet people and have fun.”
“It’s an opportunity to do something aligned with my values for protecting the environment. ”
They also reflected on how much the group means to its members. It is a place to learn and share growing skills, creating opportunities to grow things in an area where many people don’t have big gardens or spaces to experiment. Beyond the practical skills, the group has built friendships and connected those who share the same enthusiasm for growing and protecting the local area.
“It’s made me feel like part of the community. Now I walk down the street and meet people I know. I didn’t used to.”
In looking ahead, members said they don’t think they need an organisation to carry on, they have the motivation and agency to keep the momentum going. There may also be opportunities to partner, which could help in accessing grants for local improvements such as planters and planting costs. Alternatively, they could consider joining forces with other community organisations that share similar aims.
The plan? To extend the conversation to other members and seek information about how to run a community group. They also want to find new areas to grow in.
The next Edible Meadows Session is on Thursday 16th April, meeting at the precinct at 5:30pm for a planting session. Register your space here.
Upcoming Consultations
Next up is the consultation for Mend and Make Do on the 18th of April at 12 pm in the Hub. Followed by a consultation for Action Day on the 2nd of May at 12pm in the hub.
Join the Velo Venturers for a Dusking Bicycle Ride along the Trent Valley!
Organised by Nottingham Cycle Style, join this free group bicycle ride on Friday, 24th April from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. The group will meet at Wilford Gazebo, following the Trent side paths and woodland tracks as dusk settles in. Expect signs of wildlife, viewpoints and sky gazing!
To help keep the dusking vibe:
Wear muted colours
Switch bike lights off until the rides' end (just before dark)
Put mobiles on silent and no flash photography
The ride will finish at 9pm with an optional stop at the Ferry Inn garden. Make sure to bring lights for the ride home.
Looking to meet new people and join friendly group rides? Register your space here.
We will be announcing more exciting events and workshops soon.
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