One morning on a building site

One April morning in 2025, my three children and I found ourselves in a building site just off York Way.

What we saw was completely out of the ordinary - a group of people dedicated to transforming this piece of earth into a natural oasis in the heart of London, for kids to enjoy for generations to come.

For the hours we took part in that family community build day, we made bricks, lay flooring, put up walls and assembled a table. We all loved it - the sense of belonging, of working together toward a larger goal, and of actually making things!

Silvia told us that Global Generation ran a youth generator programme, where 10-14 year olds met weekly to learn and appreciate nature and develop new skills. Our 12-year-old son joined last year, and it is without doubt the highlight of his week. In the past 12 months he has made lovely friends, planted trees, made bug hotels, learnt to weave, helped create a swing, made pasta, and studied the plants and birds in Kings Cross. And he'll soon be heading off camping with the group this Summer. He can't wait - and we know he will have a fantastic, memory-making trip.

We thank Global Generation and the wonderful Silvia for everything she's given us this year. And with the new Story Garden opening up to everyone, we can't wait to see what the next 12 months will hold.

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Notes from the Garden