This week we headed to Stephens House and Gardens to support Helen and the brilliant volunteer team who help keep this local gem thriving.

The task? Clear a well-used pathway that had become narrowed by mud and creeping vegetation over the winter months. Armed with spades, forks and plenty of enthusiasm, we scraped back layers of mud, cut back encroaching growth and reshaped the edges.

The result was immediately visible — a wider, cleaner and far more welcoming path, safer underfoot and much more aesthetically pleasing.

Because we were working right on the path, we had lovely interactions with park users throughout the session. Several stopped to thank us, which is always a reminder of the simple but powerful impact of practical volunteering.

Stephens House and Gardens is very much sustained by volunteers and by the local community who support the café and events in the house. If you haven’t visited recently, do pop in — grab a coffee, enjoy the grounds, or consider joining a future volunteering session.

A satisfying morning’s work, good company, and tangible results — exactly what Community Missions are all about.