The volunteer sector starts to struggle following the ULEZ expansion to Havering.

When the announcement of the expansion of ultra low emission zone across all outer London boroughs was announced, amongst the many concerning factors the expansion would make was the impact it would have on all volunteers.

On Tuesday 29 August the expansion began and now Havering volunteers are starting to report the struggles they are facing, including many of whom who have already given up their volunteering role.

Yesterday, the Havering Daily joined volunteers at the Walled Garden in Bedfords Park in Havering-atte-Bower. The stunning garden that provides an incredible service to the local community, is run solely by volunteers. They began redeveloping the area many years ago that was previously just an unkept zone.

It is now, thanks to their incredible work and over 150 plus hours a week of volunteering, a beautiful garden that Havering should be extremely proud of. Not only is it breathe taking to look at, but it also provides the borough with many important services such as fresh fruit and vegetables all grown free from any form of pesticide that are sold at its small shop. The garden attracts endless wildlife such as bees and butterflies, as well as producing bunches of home grown flowers for Havering residents.

Volunteers such as Lois are horticultural experts and are happy to chat with park visitors or even talk to local school children about growing plants and vegetables, especially teaching children that vegetables do not come from plastic packets.

These volunteers do an amazing job at the Walled Garden, but now they are paying £12.50 a day to go to the Bedfords Park. Lois struggles to walk and would need to take three different buses to reach the park and would not be able to walk from the bus stop to the park. Many other volunteers at the park are facing the same problem.

There are endless organisations across Havering who are run and managed by volunteers who are retired and have older vehicles and are now paying £12.50 every time they move their car. So many organisations rely heavily on these volunteers and if they are now forced to give up their posts due to the costs, what will happen to our community?

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