Community wellbeing charity · est. since the neighbourhood
We turn unloved corners into thriving green spaces, and lonely days into shared ones — so every neighbour has somewhere to belong.
About Commonwell
Commonwell began with one overgrown plot and a handful of neighbours who refused to let it go to waste. Today we run wellbeing programmes across two dozen neighbourhoods — from community gardens and youth clubs to elder companionship and free movement classes in the park.
We believe wellbeing isn't a luxury. It's what happens when people have a green place to gather, a skill to learn, a reason to leave the house, and someone who notices when they don't. Everything we do is free at the point of need, run with the people we serve — not just for them.
Our programmes
Each programme is free, open to all, and shaped by the people who use it. Here's what's growing right now.
We turn neglected land into shared gardens where neighbours grow food, friendships and fresh air together.
Safe, free after-school and holiday clubs that keep young people active, curious and supported.
Free courses and mentoring that help people back into work, learning or confidence — at any age.
Free park runs, walking groups and team games that get the whole neighbourhood moving and connected.
Drop-in wellbeing sessions — movement, breathing and a friendly ear — for anyone feeling the weight of it all.
Befriending visits, shared lunches and lifts to appointments that turn isolated days into looked-after ones.
Host an event
Birthday, anniversary, work do or street party — host it at one of our community gardens and every penny stays in the neighbourhood. We'll handle the space, you bring the people.
Partner with us
Bring your students or your team into the community — and help us reach further.
Half- and full-day programmes that take the classroom into the garden — growing, cooking, building and looking after a living space. Curriculum-linked and fully supervised.
Swap the away-day for a day that matters. Your team spends it building, planting and decorating alongside the people we serve — and your support keeps a programme running all year.
Straight into programmes. For every £1 you give, 88p goes directly to running gardens, clubs and visits in the neighbourhood; the rest keeps the lights on and the safeguarding watertight. We publish a full breakdown in our annual report.
Fill in the Get involved form below and tell us what you'd enjoy. We'll match you to a programme near you, run a quick welcome session, and sort your DBS check if your role needs one. You can give as little as two hours a month.
Yes — every programme is free at the point of need. No referral, no means test, no catch. They're funded entirely by donations, partnerships and grants, which is exactly why your support matters.
None at all. Whether you're picking up a trowel for the first time or joining a walking group, our volunteer hosts will show you the ropes. Everyone's welcome, exactly as they are.
Absolutely. From a one-off team volunteering day to a year-long partnership that funds a whole programme, we'll build something that fits. See Partner with us or use the form to start a conversation.
We are. Commonwell is a registered charity governed by a board of local trustees, with full safeguarding, insurance and DBS procedures in place across every programme.
Voices
After I lost my husband the house went very quiet. The Tuesday lunch club gave me a reason to get dressed in the morning. Now I'm the one who saves a seat for the new faces.
Marcia, 71Connected Elders
My son was climbing the walls over the summer. The holiday club fed him, ran him ragged and brought him home happy every day. As a single dad on shifts, it was a lifeline.
Dele, 38Youth & Play parent
I came to the garden for the veg and stayed for the people. Six months later I'd done a course, found part-time work and made the best friends I've had in years.
Hannah, 29Community Gardens
We brought our whole team for a volunteering day and built the new raised beds. Best thing we've done together as a company — half of us have been back on weekends since.
Tom, 45Corporate partner
Ways to give
Give once or monthly — and see exactly what your kindness pays for.
Plants and tools for a family's first season in the community garden.
Give £10A child's place at holiday club for a week — hot meals, activities and a safe place to play.
Give £25A month of befriending visits and warm lunches for an isolated older neighbour.
Give £50Keeps a weekly wellbeing session running for the whole neighbourhood.
Give £100UK taxpayer? Adding Gift Aid makes your donation worth 25% more, at no cost to you.
Get involved
Tell us a little about you and what you'd enjoy. Whether it's volunteering, partnering or just finding out more, a real person will be in touch within two working days.
