Impulse Leisure in Thurrock is a leisure centre and golf course in Essex. Here's how they've been part of Team Wilder. 

Impulse Leisure staff reached out to Essex Wildlife Trust with the idea of creating a community garden. Before the project began, their garden space comprised of a basic, short-cut grass area, where there was little opportunity for wildlife and connecting with others. 

With the support of our staff, the leisure centre's staff and volunteers, raised beds were created with the idea of planting pollinator-friendly plants, and to leave space for growing fruit and vegetables. The team wanted to promote connecting with nature, and the positive impacts that spending time outdoors has on both mental and physical health. 

Since the start of the project, the team have introduced planters at different heights so that the garden is accessible to all. There has also been plans to introduce log piles and leave areas of grasses to grow long and wild. 

Now, the community garden is a vibrant hub for people to connect, both with each other and with nature. 

John, a volunteer at the garden, said: "We now have a team of five volunteers, and have plans to make a path for easy access through the garden, a polytunnel to grow more fruit and vegetables, adding a bird bath, feeding stations and four more flower beds."