“I’ve really enjoyed meeting and working with each family!” 

When Karen Jespersen moved from Surrey to Essex a year ago, she was looking for a new way to put her love of gardening and community work to good use. She’d previously worked for a poverty charity, encouraging local people to get involved in outdoor projects like community gardening and forest schools — and had seen first-hand the huge positive impact that time outdoors, and time together, can have on people. 

So, when the chance came up to become Little Havens’ very first Community Gardener, volunteering to visit families and help with their gardening projects, Karen was excited to get stuck in. 

Not just weeding and mowing 

 “I had initially thought I would just be helping with a bit of weeding and mowing lawns,” Karen says. “But I’ve been delighted that instead each family has been totally different.” 

No two visits are the same. One week Karen might be spreading woodchip to create a new play area for a child to enjoy safely outdoors. Another, she’s planting cheerful pots of seasonal bedding plants to bring some colour to a family’s doorstep. On other days, it’s a bigger job entirely — like tackling bamboo that’s taken over a garden and needs serious clearing back. 

“Whether it’s a small job or a big one, I’ve really enjoyed meeting and working with each family,” she says. 

Why it matters 

For families supported by Little Havens, a garden that’s overgrown, unsafe, or simply too much to manage can be one more thing weighing on already full plates. A tidy, welcoming outdoor space can mean a child has somewhere safe to play, a family has somewhere to sit together, or simply one less job to worry about. 

Karen’s role shows how a few hours of hands-on help — and a friendly face — can make a real difference to a family’s day-to-day life. 

Could you be our next Community Gardener? 

Karen was the first volunteer to take on this brand-new role — and now we’re looking for more people to join her. 

What’s involved: 

• Helping maintain the garden of a child or family who has asked for support with basic gardening duties 

• A four-hour weekly commitment, which can be split into 1–2 hour slots 

• Could be a one-off visit, or several visits over a 6-month period (spring–autumn) 

• You’ll stay within your local area, travelling to Little Havens family homes across Essex 

Who it’s for: 

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just enjoy being outdoors and lending a hand, if you’ve got a few hours a week to spare and a willingness to get stuck in, we’d love to hear from you. 

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and ages, and achieve extraordinary things for our hospice. Volunteering is a great way to share the skills you already have, or learn new ones — it’s diverse and rewarding. 

Ready to get growing?  

Get in touch to find out more about becoming a Little Havens Community Gardener: 

https://havenshospices.goassemble.com/opportunities/100199-garden-club-lh-community-2025-10-21 

Published on 1st October 2026