From left: Rowena Champion, Sue Sharkey, Jacky Clarke, Brendan Ryan, Fiona McKenzie-Cardy, Janice Walsh, Praful Nargund, Lisa and Danni Anders

A DAY to bring neighbours together is essential to creating community, say volunteers.

Community volunteers have organised a fun day in Thornhill Road Gardens, which they say is essential for tackling loneliness and isolation, and to create a sense of community.

“We always say to people, come to garden if you’re able; if not, come for a chat and meet neighbours and have a cuppa,” said Jacky Clarke, chief organiser of the event.

“There’ll be lots of friendly people there, and it’ll be a friendly place to come. If you want to meet your neighbours or if you’re new to the area, or if you’re feeling isolated – come along.”

She added: “It can be really difficult to show up on your own to an event like that. I know myself sometimes and there’s groups of people having fun, you think ‘oh, how do you manage to get all those people together.’ But, we’ll have people looking out for each other at the event, a welcoming team. There’s lots of activities, lovely places to sit, relax, and enjoy a soft drink and a cupcake.”

The gardens have been lovingly refurbished by a group of community volunteers, who have now secured £1,000 from the Mayor of London to put on a fun day. Attendees can expect everything from face painting and nature adventure trails to Islington Fire Brigade bringing along their fire engine.

“There was a group of us who had dogs that used to walk in this park and it was quite an unloved space, and we decided to see if we could improve it,” said Ms Clarke, who is also secretary of friends of Thornhill Gardens.

“Now we have a nature trail going down one side, a really well cared for lawn which attracts a lot of families and picnickers. We’ve got a pond and a wildlife area and butterfly-attracting beds. Local volunteers have invested huge amounts of time. I describe it as an outdoor community centre really, because people go in there to see the volunteers that are there every day.”

The fun day is scheduled for June 24.