Living Green Challenge
There are many ways to help make our neighbourhood fairer and greener – and plenty of free or discounted support to get you started. How many of the Living Green Challenge activities can you tick off?
Use the Living Green Map to find useful spaces and services near you.
1 Join the Sustains Us Residents Group
2 Visit one of the many local green spaces in South Bank and Waterloo
3 Adopt a local tree or join a community gardening club to green your neighbourhood
4 Learn to grow your own herbs and vegetables at Edible Marsh in Waterloo
5 Check real-time air quality near you on the Airly or Breathe London Communities websites
6 Get personalised energy-saving tips from LSBU’s Energy Advice Centre
7 Borrow useful items like tools or party gear from the Library of Things in Elephant and Castle
8 Recycle, school drop-off, or run errands more easily with cargo bike hire from Our Bike
9 Tune up your bike for free with a Dr. Bike session
10 Charge your electric vehicle using one of the 2,000+ public points across Lambeth and Southwark
11 Use water refill stations across South Bank and Waterloo
Join the Sustains Us Residents Group
The Sustains Us Residents Group are working together to help shape a fairer, greener South Bank and Waterloo. Whether you’re interested in clean air, green spaces, reducing waste or smarter energy use, this resident-led group offers a chance to support meaningful local change.
The group brings neighbours together to collaborate on projects, events, and ideas that make our community more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.
Interested in getting involved? Contact charlotte@sowneighbours.org. Everyone is welcome.
Visit your local green space
Our local parks, pocket parks, rain gardens, and green rooftops play a vital role in cooling our streets, reducing flood risk, filtering air pollution, and supporting wildlife. These spaces offer refuge from the hot summer months and a place to connect with nature, rest, and recharge.
Take advantage of local favourites – many of which are owned and managed by local community organisations – like Jubilee Gardens, Bernie Spain Gardens, Hercules Road Gardens, and more.
Take a look at the map above to find a green space near you.
Adopt a local tree
Lambeth Council is expanding tree planting across the borough to boost canopy cover, clean the air, and make neighbourhoods more resilient to climate change. You can get involved by joining the Tree Guardians – a local network of residents helping care for Lambeth’s trees. Whether you’re watering young trees on your street or learning more about urban nature, it’s a simple, practical way to help green your neighbourhood.
To find out more or get involved, email treeguardians@lambeth.gov.uk
Get involved in a local gardening club
Get outdoors, meet neighbours and get stuck into gardening with one of the many free local gardening clubs in the area. Whether you’re looking for gentle social gardening, lunchtime planters, or more hands-on training, there’s something for all ages and abilities. Sessions take place weekly or monthly across local parks and green spaces, with tools and guidance provided.
Explore full details, times and how to join:
Rooted Gardening Club – Waterloo
Archbishop’s Park Weekly Gardening Club
Gentle Gardening – Coin Street
Find out about local air quality
Although air pollution isn’t always visible, its effects are. That’s why nine air quality sensors have been installed across South Bank and Waterloo, recording real-time air pollutants every hour. This information can be found on our partners’ websites Breathe London Communities and Airly, so you can access the latest air quality information near you.
To learn more about how you can support clean air locally – from choosing active travel and switching off your engine, to upgrading your heating – you can explore guidance and resources from Lambeth or Southwark Council.
Find out how Sustains Us is working towards cleaner air here.
Get free, personalised energy advice
Want to cut your energy bills or make your home more efficient? The LSBU Energy Advice Centre offers free, personalised support to help London residents reduce energy use and costs. Run by LSBU students and supervised by engineering staff, the Centre can advise on heating, insulation, lighting, and more. Drop in on Thursdays between 10am and 1pm at the Clarence Centre in Southwark or fill out the online form to get started.
Supported by Southwark Council, this service is open to all.
Find out more here.
Borrow useful items from Library of Things in Elephant and Castle
With support from Southwark Council, Library of Things has launched a new site at The Castle Centre in Elephant and Castle. Residents and local businesses can now affordably rent useful items – from drills and carpet cleaners, to sound systems and sewing machines – for just a few pounds a day. It’s a simple way to save money, reduce waste, and learn practical skills.
Browse available items and sign up at the Library of Things website.
Use code HEYSOUTHWARK10 for 10% off your first rental.
A 25% concession rate is also available – just ask.
Get cycling in South Bank and Waterloo
Want to cycle more, but not sure where to start? Whether you’re looking to try an e-cargo bike, build your confidence, or find inclusive or family lessons – there’s support available.
Hire an e-cargo bike through the OurBike community scheme, or sign up for free cycling lessons offered by Lambeth and Southwark Councils, including sessions for women, disabled riders, families, and older people. You can also visit Dr Bike events for free repairs and safety checks.
You may be eligible for secure residential bike parking. Both Lambeth and Southwark offer affordable bike hangars and lockers to help residents safely store bikes near their homes.
Cycling can be for everyone – find your way into the saddle. Find out more here:
20% off annual Santander Cycles subscription
OurBike community cargo bike hire
Lambeth cycle training and maintenance
Southwark JoyRiders family cycle training
SilverFit for older cyclist’s beginner lessons
Wheels for Wellbeing inclusive cycling
TfL free online cycle skills course
Find a Dr Bike event in Lambeth or Southwark.
Find or request a cycle hangar or locker space in Lambeth or in Southwark
Electric vehicle charging
Lambeth and Southwark Councils are expanding access to public EV charging. There are already thousands of charge points across both boroughs, with even more planned – making it easier to switch to an electric vehicle. Options include lamppost chargers for overnight use and rapid chargers for faster top-ups.
Charge points are pay-as-you-go and compatible with most EVs.
Find your nearest on Zap Map, or download the ClenergyEV app for access to local networks. For help using charge points, visit Char.gy, CityEV, or Ubitricity.
Water and plastic-free refill
Download the free Refill Return app to find nearby places to refill your water bottle, and more. From free drinking water to discounts on refilling coffee cups, groceries, and cleaning products, the app helps you reduce single-use plastic and live with less waste.
With more and more refill spots to choose from, it’s never been easier to cut out plastic and support local businesses.