Growing Together at Wakefield Kirkgate

Every Tuesday between 11am and 2pm, something special happens at Wakefield Kirkgate Railway Station.

A dedicated group of volunteers come together to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty and make a real difference to one of Wakefield's busiest gateways. What started as a small community gardening group has grown into a fantastic team of volunteers who are helping transform the station into a greener, brighter and more welcoming place for everyone.

Over the past few months, the group has achieved an incredible amount.

Working alongside the Friends of Wakefield Kirkgate Station Adoption Project, volunteers have planted colourful displays across the station platforms, bringing life and colour to the waiting areas for thousands of passengers every week. They've also created welcoming planting around the entrance to the station building, helping to make a positive first impression for people arriving in our city.

One of the group's latest achievements has been restoring and replanting the roundabout outside the station after it had been sadly damaged. Thanks to the hard

work of volunteers, this prominent area has been given a new lease of life and is once again providing an attractive welcome to visitors.

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These improvements are about much more than flowers and plants.

Urban greening plays an important role in improving our towns and cities. Green spaces can help support biodiversity, provide habitats for insects and pollinators, improve air quality, and make public spaces feel safer, healthier and more enjoyable. Even relatively small planting projects can have a positive impact on local ecology while making everyday journeys that little bit brighter.

As the seasons progress, the station continues to evolve. Volunteers regularly maintain planters, care for newly established plants and look for new opportunities to improve the station environment. Every planting, maintainence, and watering session contributes to creating a railway station that reflects the pride people have in Wakefield.

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None of this would be possible without volunteers and partnership.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Groundwork Yorkshire, whose ongoing support, expertise and encouragement have helped volunteers develop new horticultural skills and the confidence to take on increasingly ambitious projects. Their commitment to supporting community-led environmental projects has been invaluable.

Our thanks also go to Wakefield Council for generously donating some planters that needed a new home, helping us continue expanding the planting around

the station and creating even more opportunities for wildlife to thrive.

The Wakefield Kirkgate Station Adoption Project is about far more than maintaining flower beds. It is about bringing people together, improving wellbeing through volunteering, creating opportunities to learn new skills and demonstrating what communities can achieve when they work together.

Whether someone joins us every week or just comes along occasionally, every volunteer makes a difference.

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Join the Team

Would you like to help make Wakefield greener?

Our Community Gardening Group meets every Tuesday from 11am until approximately 2pm at Wakefield Kirkgate Railway Station, and new volunteers are always welcome.

No gardening experience is needed. Whether you're an experienced gardener or have never planted a flower before, we'll provide support, guidance and a friendly welcome.

Volunteering is a great way to:

• Meet new people

• Learn practical gardening and horticultural skills

• Support local wildlife and biodiversity

• Improve your wellbeing through spending time outdoors

• Help transform one of Wakefield's most important public spaces

• Make a lasting difference to your local community

If you'd like to get involved, we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more about our Wakefield Kirkgate Station Adoption Project and discover how to become a volunteer by visiting:

🌱Wakefield Kirkgate Station Adoption Project: https://www.longboatwakefield.org/kirkgate

🙌Volunteer with LonGBoaT Wakefield: https://www.longboatwakefield.org/volunteer

Together, we're proving that a small group of committed volunteers really can make a big difference.