Our commitment to the environment

Our Sustainable Environment and Greenspaces work is growing, and there are lots of ways you can get involved. We have a range of community based greenspaces and conservation projects, as well as new climate action events including Repair Cafes and Climate Cafes. Abbey People is working together with local and national organisations to support the Abbey community to connect with the local environment and understand how we can all do our part to combat climate change.

We have events and volunteer days throughout the year, check out our events page for more information.

Our volunteer activities and work days are a great way to learn about conservation, growing food, and get to know the nature in our area a bit better. You can join us ad hoc or regularly. 

Barnwell Verge: Seeds of Hope

Over three years, we have been working with the community to improve a problem area on Barnwell Road, to help stop parking on the verge, encourage wildlife, and build relationships in the community.

Coldham’s Brook

Abbey People, Keeping Britain Tidy and Cambridge City Council have come together to work with the community to conserve & improve our chalk stream through a series of volunteer work days & ongoing projects.

Fox Den Community Allotment

Our group of allotment volunteers regularly meet on Sunday afternoons. We are always looking for more volunteers to help look after the allotment and grow food for the local community.

Repair Cafes

In partnership with Cambridge Carbon Footprint we run Repair Cafes where the community can get their broken items fixed. Our next Repair Cafes are on Sunday 10th May & Friday 10th July. Get involved by volunteering.

Climate Cafes

Our Climate Cafes are a welcoming space to join the conversation about climate change and your local environment. Drop in and have a chat or even help us organise events. Our next Climate Cafe is on Friday 27th February. 

Margaret Wright Community Orchard

Planted in 2013 in honour of local Councillor Margaret Wright, Abbey volunteers have been looking after the orchard for over a decade. We run sessions on the first Wednesday of the month 9:30 – 11:30am.  

Swish

In partnership with Cambridge Carbon Footprint we run Swish Clothes Swap Parties where you can refresh your wardrobe by swapping your unwanted clothes and finding new items! You can get involved by volunteering. Our next Swishes are on Saturday 18th April & Friday 24th July

East Barnwell Community Centre

With volunteers we have created new edible plant beds and a courtyard garden at the community centre. You can join our gardening sessions on the third Wednesday of each month 9:30 – 11:30am – no gardening experience is needed. 

Litter Picks

We run regular litter picks open to everyone on the fourth Wednesday of the month 9:30 – 11:30am, in different places around Abbey. Supported by Keep Britain Tidy, Abbey RiverCare volunteers help keep litter out of our local chalk stream, Coldham’s Brook.