Joy
Volunteer Coordinator
I came to England when I was a toddler, leaving behind my motherland Bangladesh. The love for nature was deeply rooted even before I got on the plane. As a little girl, I would stare at oil paintings of the British countryside dreaming of what it would be like. I was deeply in love with the blue ocean, dolphins and fishes, which I only saw on pencil cases, books and TV.
Living in the city I could never relate to what life was beyond the streets. My most loved and precious moments were playing in my childhood courtyard. It was our secret garden, for 14 residents living in these small Victorian flats in the heart of central London. I would play all day and have picnics with the other kids under the sky, wrapped up in a blanket of flowers and plants.
Sadly I lost sight and connection to nature as I was growing up. The city became bigger and louder, I came to a point in my life where I had a yearning to make things with my hands. I went on to study BA Textile Design as a mature student at Central Saint Martins, and while I was studying I became a Students Ambassador. This new purpose had inspired me to help others through my craft, which led me to working in the local community.
My role here at Global Generation is to help local residents access green spaces and food growing. I enjoy bringing people together and creating a space for people to voice and share their stories. Alongside this I'm a freelance Community Textile Maker and I run weaving workshops called Joy in Weaving with a more holistic free flow making.
We are all life long learners and education has no age. Outdoor learning as an experience is needed and good for the soul for both participants and facilitators. My journey has brought me back to secret gardens which are truly the Gems of the City.