Back to News & Articles

When Moureen first began volunteering, she did it because she could see the need in her community. She noticed that there was very little for people to do in her village, especially for the children, and rather than waiting for change she decided to make it happen herself.

In 2019, she approached the village hall committee with an idea to transform an unused piece of land behind the hall into a community wellbeing garden. The committee agreed, with one condition: the responsibility for setting it up, organising volunteers, and maintaining it would rest entirely with her. If it wasn’t sustained, the land would be taken back. This could have been quite a daunting responsibility that she was taking on, but not for Moureen! She didn’t see it as a deterrent but an opportunity. She believed deeply in creating a welcoming space where people could gather and build friendships. A place where the whole community could connect.

Turning Vision into Reality

As she began developing the garden with friends, Moureen quickly realised that they would need funds. To access grants, they needed to formalise the project and set it up as a community group with policies, a committee, and a bank account. While this added complexity and responsibility, it also opened new doors. What started as a garden project soon became something much bigger.

Moureen and local residents began organising a range of activities and events. One of those was a “Play & Stay” group for children aged 0–4, which brought parents and young children together in the hall. Although Moureen has since had to step back from running the group, it marked the beginning of a community hub doing more than just the garden.

Today, the hall and garden host a variety of activities for the village. These include Chair Yoga sessions attracting over 20 participants each time, coffee mornings, circuit training classes, and a Saturday morning walking group where people and their dogs explore the surrounding area together. Each activity draws around 10–15 people, creating regular opportunities for connection. The aim is to bring together people from all backgrounds and cultures within the village, fostering a strong sense of belonging.

Moureen continues to promote these activities. When we spoke, she was about to start putting up posters around Stanwell Moor to ensure more people can discover what’s available.

Building Momentum

As relationships strengthened, the community grew an appetite for larger events. These included a Jubilee celebration and even a Donkey Derby in the park behind the hall. As we spoke, a friend of Moureen’s in the hall where we were chatting joined in our conversation at hearing mention of the Donkey Derby, and laughed with very fond memories as she recalled what a great day it had been.

Why Moureen Volunteers

At the heart of Moureen’s efforts is a genuine passion for helping others. She finds joy in bringing people together. For her, volunteering offers something for everyone: a chance to meet people and make friends, a way to feel part of a community, time outdoors which supports physical and mental wellbeing, and opportunities to learn new skills like growing food. Apart from flowers, the garden has also become a place where the community grows vegetables together, harvests them, then cooks and eats together as a group. Even those who may not consider themselves “people persons” benefit simply being around others and knowing they belong too. Moureen comments, “people can just come and spend quiet time in the garden, it promotes such a sense of wellbeing and calm”. Gardening is clearly a passion of Moureen’s and she’s certainly done very well in leading it’s development. She’s very proud to tell us that they are about to enter the garden into the “Spelthorne in Bloom” competition to see if they can win again!

Looking Ahead

Moureen’s vision is to see even more people get involved so the community can expand what it offers, particularly for children, young people, and older residents. However, she can’t do it alone. Right now, the garden needs one or two regular volunteers each month to help with maintenance.

If you are considering volunteering and live around Stanwell Moor, please get in touch and we’ll introduce you. Or if you would like help to set up your own project where you live or to volunteer but aren’t yet sure with what, let us know and we can help. Our support is all free!

Moureen’s story shows how one person’s initiative can transform a community. What began as a simple idea has grown into a vibrant, inclusive space that brings people together in meaningful ways. Her message is really clear, there is something for everyone in volunteering at Stanwell Moor, come and get involved. Whether you want to meet new people, spend time outdoors, learn something new, or simply feel part of something bigger, taking that first step can lead to lasting impact for the community, but mainly for yourself.