Resident Groups

There are lots of active resident groups locally. They all care about and work towards improving Waltham Forest's parks and green spaces.

Resident groups also work with us to deliver our green initiatives.

These groups are always looking for more volunteers to get involved. Activities include food-growing, nature conservation, gardening, and litter picking.

Find a group near you through:

• Waltham Forest Friends of Parks Page: Friends of Parks groups are supported by The Conservation Volunteers. They offer training and guidance on running a Friend of Parks group.
• Forest Flora is a horticultural hub for Waltham Forest. It signposts local community groups and volunteering opportunities, as well as offering expert horticultural advice

If you have checked the pages above and cannot see a suitable opportunity please email greenspace.volunteers@walthamforest.gov.uk. We will try to get you in touch with a group.

Please refer to the groups below for more information on their activities and how to get involved:

E10/11

• Bushwoods Area Resident’s Association
• Friends of Leyton Jubilee Park
• Linear Park

E4

• Drysdale And District Residents Association
• Friends of Ainslee and Larks Woods
• Friends of Pimp Hall Park & Nature Reserve
• Highams Park Residents Association
• Love North Chingford Gardening Group
• Rewild the Ching Community Group

E17

• Beacon Tree Residents Association / Wombles
• Cleveland Park Residents Association
• Friends of Bisterne Avenue Park 
• Friends of Cheney Row Park
• Friends of Higham Hill Park 
• Friends of Lloyd Park
• Friends of Stoneydown Park
• Friends of St James Park
• Greenway Avenue Community Garden
• Queens Boundary Community
• Richmond Road Pocket Park
• St Mary's Nature Reserve
• St Peter in the Forest 
• Walthamstow Stadium Area Residents Association
• Walthamstow Village in Bloom
• Wood Street South Gardening Club

If you’re thinking of setting up a resident group, you should explore the Parks community website. It provides all the information you need to set up an effective park or open space resident group. Read the guide on how to organise your group and use their example constitution to help you write your own.  

If you're already set up, take their Resident Group Strength Checker. The checker helps to understand and strengthen the effectiveness of your group and get advice on ways your group could improve.

Formalities involved in setting up a resident group may not seem necessary, but they are important to ensure your group lasts and can work effectively. When applying for funding, awarding bodies will want to see evidence that your group is democratically elected. This will need to include a defined structure and constitution.

To register a resident group please read and implement the guidance above to ensure your resident group can thrive. Then email greenspace.volunteers@walthamforest.gov.uk with the subject line ‘register my resident group’ and add any supporting information you feel necessary.

Free training, support, and exciting resources can be found on our Friends of Parks TCV page. If you are involved in a Friends of Parks group in Waltham Forest, you are entitled to free training! Sign up now and gain new skills to help the effectiveness of your group. Everyone is welcome so invite new members and bring someone new. To make enquiries about training sessions, get in contact by emailing gg-waltham-forest@tcv.org.uk or calling 07740 899 645.