Welcome to the UK's first park
Nature Connection Centre
The Nature Connection Centre (NW10) is a groundbreaking urban park initiative enhancing community connections with Nature, fostering better health, stronger cohesion, and greater resilience. Discover more about our mission, programme of events, activities, and services that are actively support and elevating our local community and wider goals.
This visionary project reimagines the traditional park visitor centre, placing the human-Nature relationship and locally powered environmental action at its core. Rooted in global research, the Centre highlights the critical role of Nature in promoting community health, urban wellbeing, and sustainable futures—bringing a powerful message about the transformative potential of Nature in city life to the heart of the park, while serving as a blueprint for how urban parks can adopt proactive, impactful strategies to strengthen Nature connection in urban environments.
Located in the NW10 postcode of North West London, nestled within the beautiful Roundwood Park, the Centre sits in one of London's most densely populated areas, bordering diverse neighbourhoods of Willesden, Harlesden and Roundwood. The Centre's vision is rooted in the local community and supported by a consortium of partners that represent a new approach to park infrastructure, community engagement and partner collaboration.
Nature Connection Centre Priorities
Building a new Grassroots Movement in Urban Parks
1
Nature-Based Community Health, Wellbeing and Experience
To support, promote and advocate for high quality, accessible and sustainable Nature-based and Nature-inspired experiences, activities and education within the park that encourage impactful and lasting Nature connection, physical, mental, and emotional wellness, and environmental care.
2
Biodiversity, Sustainability and Resilience
To increase awareness, engagement and action to support a diverse and healthy local ecosystem, to upscale community sustainability and resilience to enhance the capacity of the local community and park to adapt to the climate and biodiversity crisis.
3
Community Engagement and Park Stewardship
To foster active participation, ownership, and collaboration among local residents to care for, improve, and sustain Nature within the park, and wider ecosystems and biodiversity as vital green and natural shared community assets and spaces.
Community Consultation
Community engagement is central to the mission and future direction of Nature Connection Centre (NW10). From the outset, local consultations have guided the Centre's development, ensuring the Centre reflects the needs and aspirations of the community. This dialogue continues through our ongoing community open days and events, providing vital insight that helps shape both the space and its evolving programme.
Meet The Consortium
The Nature Connection Centre (NW10) operates through an innovative cross-sector consortium of partners that bring together diverse and locally powered expertise, programmes and networks to amplify the Centre’s impact across our
priority themes and community.
Forest & Family connects people with Nature through outdoor learning, eco-therapy, training and innovative place-making, championing sustainability, stewardship, and wellbeing in communities and urban parks.
This award-winning gardening group fosters community spirit through gardening, offering all ages the chance to care for their park while improving personal wellbeing and supporting urban biodiversity.
Let’s Grow Brent make fresh organically grown fruit and vegetables more accessible to the community, share food growing knowledge and skills, promoting physical and mental wellbeing through gardening.
HNF unites Harlesden residents
in transforming their area through co-designed projects like the Nature Connection Centre, fostering sustainability, community connection, and improved urban living.
Sally’s Scooters repairs and resells scooters whilst promoting eco-friendly values and community skills development, offering sustainable mobility solutions and teaching young people DIY repair skills for a greener future.
Supporting new parents with expert-led workshops and meetups, The New Parent Company creates non-judgmental, connected spaces to guide families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum life.
Roundwood Lodge Cafe blends great food, coffee, and community, and is dedicated to supporting the project and creating a vibrant park hub promoting sustainability, Nature appreciation, and a shared sense of connection.
WE RESTART empowers communities and refugees through arts and culture,
focusing on sustainability, human rights, and showcasing displaced artists' contributions to society’s cultural fabric.
Brent Council is tackling the climate emergency with Green Neighbourhood pilots, creating sustainable, biodiverse communities while empowering residents to lead the way toward carbon neutrality by 2030.
Our Journey
2019
NATURE CONNECTION CENTRE CONCEPTUALISED The Nature Connection Centre is conceptualised in 2019 by local resident and Forest & Family founder Katie Mills as a first of its kind urban park centre strategically supporting deeper Nature engagement within local communities and urban lives.
2020
PHASE 1 FUNDING SECURED Funding secured by Forest & Family via the Brent Neighbourhood Infrastructure Levy for the Nature Connects Us Project. Phase 1 starts with project pilot testing, site development, community engagement, marketing, and partnership and network building.
2021
SITE AND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT Physical creation and development of the Nature Connection Centre and Natural Play and Forest School Space. Led by Forest & Family and Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum, with support from local volunteers and Newman College School pupils. Roundwood Gardening Club launches Jan 2021, growing to almost 100 volunteers in its first year. Pollinator Programme, playground consultation and community consultations.
2022
OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE NATURE CONNECTION CENTRE Publicly launched 7th May. Over 500 attend community open day talks, workshops, session tasters, Nature arts and crafts, and gardening demos and community consultations. Roundwood Gardening Club and Forest & Family Forest School move into the centre and both groups receive "Thriving" and "Advancing" London In Bloom awards. The Centre is visited by Natural England and named Project of the Month in Natural England's London Green and Blue Social Prescribing Bulletin.
2023
ONGOING PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND PILOT TESTING Ongoing site development, project development and community consultations. Project partners and local councillors unveil the Our Space Award plaque from Groundwork London during the second Church End and Roundwood Environment Network event. The Centre is featured in the Wembley Matters Blog.
2024
PHASE 2 BEGINS AND NEW CONSORTIUM FORMED New strategic partnership agreement signed between Forest & Family, Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum and Roundwood Lodge Cafe and a new Consortium of partners join the Centre to help scale and diversify impact. Brent Council, led by the Climate Emergency Team, express their support and begin process of collaborating within the consortium. 22nd June Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum and Brent Environment Network meeting and consultation.
Upcoming Events
- Roundwood Volunteer Gardening ClubDate and time is TBDNature Connection Centre (NW10)
Past Events Gallery
There may be no better way to communicate what we do than through images. As you browse our photo gallery take a moment to imagine joining us to breathe the green and discover something natural and precious.
Where to Find Us
Nature Connection Centre (NW10) is located within the leafy grounds of Roundwood Lodge Cafe
Roundwood Park, Harlesden Road, London, NW10 3SH
