Bloom Junction: Wildflowers for Willesden
As a young person returning home to London after university, I feel like a child again. There’s an innocent wonder and novelty in experiencing the city as an adult. I’ve started to notice things I never paid heed to when I lived here before, like the seasons. London’s spring has me in awe, as if I’m exploring its flowers and insects for the very first time.
Yet, with an estimated two-thirds of the global population expected to live in urban environments by 2050, I find myself asking: how can we make space for nature?
Energy Garden’s work is rooted in the understanding that there is public space, often gated and locked away in overground transport systems, that can be reclaimed. Reclaimed for people, for nature, for community. These reclaimed spaces can become places of connection, access to green, and vital relief for wildlife.
In this childlike state of curiosity and wonder, I dare to imagine. And like a child, my demand is simple: I want more flowers.
I wanted flowers for every living thing. Native flowers that feed and shelter insects. Flowers that act as a flag, waving in the breeze to remind humans of the awe we can make room for, even in a concrete city.
But with feeling young comes a lack of confidence, too. How do you take a vision and plant it into reality?
That’s where free will (and a supportive community) comes in.
When I shared my vision with the community at Energy Garden, I felt comforted and energised by those who wanted to help make it real. I worked closely with the community engagement officers to bring it to life: Bloom Junction: Wildflowers for Willesden.
We secured a £500 grant through Kew’s Youth Grow Wild scheme! I created two events, advertised them, planned every detail, and then lay awake in bed, restless with anticipation. And it happened. Over 30 people came together to bring Bloom Junction to life, complete with beautiful signage made by locals. I’m starting to get the hang of this free will thing.
Still, with this abnormally warm spring, things aren’t looking great for our meadow. The lack of rain, the heat—it’s a recipe for failure.
But children don’t give up that easily. Our efforts are not in vain.
With the remaining budget, I aim to recreate the event this August, adjusting some factors in hopes of a better chapter for our meadow. As Aga, the CEO of Energy Garden, said,
“I’ve never learnt from my successes. I’ve only ever learnt from my failures.”
So I’d like to take a moment to thank the team at Energy Garden for helping this child bring a dream to life. Thank you to Juan Pablo for being so on the ball and guiding me through it all with a sense of humour. Thank you to the staff at Energy Garden who showed up and gave an extra pair of helping hands. Thank you to everyone involved in the creation of the garden, it has so much flavour thanks to your care and creativity. And thank you to Kew’s Grow Wild team for your educational materials, guidance, and for helping me build a portfolio to receive the Young Environment Leader Award.
And now, dear reader, I turn the focus to you.
How’s your use of free will?
I invite you to take on the mindset of a child: bold, imaginative, and full of wonder. Let yourself dream of the world you were made for.
–Aanchal