A small but productive crew met on the Isle of Dogs today to help spread the word about local organisation Trapped in Zone One's new NCS programme.

This social development programme will be taking place in-and-around the organisation's new base, the Island Point Community Centre on the Isle of Dogs in the coming weeks, and so today we were leafleting around nearby residential locations.

Somehow managing to head out during the one sunny, warm hour of the day, we headed a little way down Manchester Road and managed to distribute all of our leaflets by the time the rain clouds made their way to our spot.

As the first few drops of a 2pm downpour started, we headed our separate ways, pleased to have made a start on this fun task.

Until next time.

Aine, John, Emma and Bablu joined some other Trapped in Zone One volunteers to prep the wall that will soon become a beautiful community mural.

The task was simple and just the right level of toughness for a cool and dry Monday afternoon as we tackled the long stretch of wall in the tennis court with our white roller brushes. Aine and John went with the broad strokes approach (where more than we might have liked ended up on the court) and Emma tackled the edges and groves for maximum coverage.

Spoilt for choice...

And so it returned: two-task Monday…

First up: Mile End Community Garden. This garden is a “community-led garden whose space, including pathways, seating areas and edible borders, is available to all, and accessible to all, in the Tower Hamlets community.” We were therefore really pleased to be invited down this evening to help with some gardening work, to make the area more accessible for local residents.

Leading this brand new task tonight was Becky J, along with task owner, Nic.

Writes Becky, “This evening’s task was to level the uneven ground ready for concrete to be laid, to allow for wheelchair and other access.

We all picked a patch to shovel: Simon took the entrance, levelling the earth under some old rubber matting; Hester took leaves, leaving everyone else taking on passageways between planters.

Ceiling proved Queen of the Wheelbarrow, navigating tricky terrain and a steep slope (carefully avoiding the samplings round the perimeter) to tip barrow after barrow into the designated spot at the bin in the back of the garden.

A satisfying task where we could clearly see the difference made - looking forward to seeing the finished pathways next year!”

Meanwhile, over on the Cranbrook Estate...

...a team of five tackled every tall block on the estate leafleting for the upcoming Christmas holiday HAF (Holiday Activities and Food Programme) project, for Trapped in Zone One. In a race against the clock, we took odd and even-numbered floors in pairs, making our way through the buildings at record pace. No landing left uncovered, no block too tricky to access, we were assisted by residents inside and out, as we distributed leaflets on this youth activity all over the estate.

The two teams finally called it a day a little after 8, and we all made our way home in different directions, chilly but cheerful, and glad to have spent another evening out in our Borough.

Until next time.