Nature Connection Centre (NW10)

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.

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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.

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Nature Connection Centre Priorities

Building a new Grassroots Movement in Urban Parks

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.

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.

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.

Meet The Consortium

The Nature Connection Centre (NW10) operates through an innovative consortium model and cross-sector partnership that brings together diverse and locally powered organisations 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 was 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.

Upcoming Events

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.