Lending a Hand: Evolution Money’s Volunteering Day at Manchester Urban Diggers

At Evolution Money we believe in making a positive impact, not just for our customers but also within the communities we serve. On 15th November a team of 11 volunteers led by our ESG Co-ordinator Zoe Buckley and Head of ESG Sue Harrison spent the day at Platt Fields Market Garden with the inspiring team from Manchester Urban Diggers (MUD).

MUD is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating sustainable urban spaces that bring communities together. By transforming underused areas into thriving community gardens, they provide fresh produce, green spaces and opportunities for learning and collaboration. Their projects include everything from growing fruit and vegetables to hosting events that promote wellbeing, creativity and sustainability. MUD’s work not only provides access to fresh, nutritious food but also helps reduce social isolation and supports the mental health of people in the community.

Rolling Up Our Sleeves

The day kicked off with a guided tour of the site revealing a treasure trove of community-driven facilities including art and music studios, vegetable patches, composting wormeries, an outdoor kitchen and even a fire pit area. We were amazed to learn about the breadth of events hosted by MUD from farmers’ markets and art sales to yoga mornings and Christmas feasts. It’s clear that MUD is more than just a garden, it’s a thriving hub of creativity, sustainability and community.

After our tour we got straight to work on a range of projects. One of the main tasks was clearing overgrown vegetation to make way for an exciting new project: an outdoor pizza oven! The idea of creating something that future volunteering groups can build on was a real motivator - and yes, we’re all secretly hoping to be invited back for a pizza-tasting session when it’s complete.

Elsewhere on site some of our volunteers tackled the art of composting, learning how turning food waste and soil can heat the pile to an impressive 70°C, naturally killing harmful bacteria and creating nutrient-rich compost for MUD’s vegetable patches. Another group prepped and painted an older outdoor kitchen giving it a fresh new look and setting the stage for future rebranding and signage.

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Community, Connection and a Delicious Lunch

No day at MUD would be complete without sampling their incredible onsite cooking. Lunch was a hearty, wholesome meal crafted entirely from their own produce featuring miso-seasoned potatoes, rice, sprouts and garlic mustard sauces. It was a meal that surprised and delighted us all!

The feedback from our team has been fantastic with many commenting on how peaceful and energising it felt to spend the day outdoors. Some have even expressed interest in returning to volunteer in their personal time which is a true testament to the sense of connection and community MUD fosters.

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Looking Ahead

This volunteering day is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long and meaningful partnership with Manchester Urban Diggers. Starting in 2025 we’ll be sending groups of 12 volunteers monthly to continue contributing to their incredible work. The pizza oven project is just one example of how our efforts will grow and evolve over time and we can’t wait to see the difference we can make together.

At Evolution Money we’re passionate about giving back and creating opportunities for our team to make a real difference. Our day with MUD reminded us of the power of collaboration, the joy of working with our hands and the value of community.

We’re excited to continue this journey and look forward to sharing updates from future volunteer days. Watch this space, there’s plenty more to come!