Volunteers from across the Jewish, Christian and Hindu faiths and community groups came together in Canons Park to give something back to their local community, transforming the historic King George V Memorial Garden through a day of hands-on gardening, teamwork and friendship.
The annual interfaith gardening project, held in the run-up to Mitzvah Day – the UK’s largest faith-led day of social action – brought together around 30 volunteers of different faiths, backgrounds and generations. Putting the theme of ‘The Joy of Giving Back’ into action, they rolled up their sleeves to weed, sweep, rake leaves, clear rubbish and tidy overgrown flower beds, helping to prepare the garden for the winter months and laying the foundations for the next growing season.
More than just a gardening project, the event offered a practical demonstration of how small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference. By giving their time and energy to a shared cause, participants helped care for a valued local green space while strengthening relationships between communities, renewing old friendships and creating new ones.
Those taking part included members of Stanmore & Canons Park Synagogue, Mosaic Liberal Synagogue, Belmont Synagogue, a number of local Hindu organisations, St William of York Roman Catholic Church, and the Friends of Canons Park, a community group welcoming people of all faiths and none.
They were joined by Cllr Ameet Jogia MBE, Cllr Kanti Rabadia, Cllr Zak Wagman and Cllr Michael Raven, who lent their support to the initiative.
Bob Blackman MP, who supports the event, said:
“Mitzvah Day shows the joy and value of giving back in a very practical way. It is wonderful to see people from different faiths and generations working side by side to improve a much-loved local space. By volunteering together, we not only make Canons Park more beautiful, but also build friendships, understanding and a stronger community. I am delighted to support this initiative and thank everyone who gave their time and energy.”
Rabbi Eli Birnbaum, Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue, said:
“Giving back to our community is a fundamental expression of Jewish values. Mitzvah Day reminds us that even the simplest acts of kindness can have a profound impact, not only on the people and places we care for, but also on the bonds we build with others. It is especially meaningful to see people of different faiths and backgrounds working together for the common good. By caring for Canons Park together, we demonstrate that our shared values are stronger than our differences, and that the joy of giving back is something we can all celebrate.”
Cllr Ameet Jogia MBE said:
“Canons Park is a wonderful shared asset for our local community, and this project demonstrates what can be achieved when people come together with a common purpose. Giving back does not have to mean doing something on a grand scale: offering a few hours of our time can make a real difference to our surroundings and to the people around us. It is particularly encouraging to see different faith communities working together and setting such a positive example.”
Project Co-ordinator Corinne Linskell said:
“The joy of this project is seeing so many people come together, not just to improve the garden, but to get to know one another and build lasting connections. There is something special about working alongside people you might not otherwise meet, united by a shared desire to do something positive. We give back to our local environment, but we also gain so much ourselves through friendship, understanding and a real sense of community. That is what Mitzvah Day is all about.”
The annual gardening project reflects the spirit of Mitzvah Day: bringing people together through practical acts of kindness, caring for the environment and demonstrating that communities can achieve so much more when they work together.
As the garden is readied for the seasons ahead, the volunteers leave behind more than a tidier green space. They also help nurture the friendships, mutual respect and shared sense of responsibility that make Canons Park a stronger community.
