It was started in 2009 by  Global Generation who work to create healthy, integrated and environmentally responsible communities, focusing in particular on children and young people. The guiding pillars of GG’s work are both working with people of all ages in order to support a connection to the natural world, but importantly also providing opportunities for children and young people to make a difference. GG are positioned to give children and young people a voice, and this has been foregrounded through their Mayor of London backed Generators program, which has been running since 2018, working with young people on social action projects.

The skip garden was a garden made up of a series of skips and other semi-mobile structures, so that it could be relocated hand in hand with the progress of the development. It was managed by an educational and environmental charity and as such, became the site for many educational and outreach activities throughout the years.

Core objectives of the initiative were:

• To support people of all ages in reconnecting with urban nature

• To empower children and young people in education around ecology, and to build social and relational capital

• To contribute to more cohesive and resilient communities

Many of the initiatives that happened in the Skip Garden were ideas by young people. The construction companies were involved as co-creators with Global Generation at each of the Skip Garden locations. They helped develop the whole programme of learning and volunteering days, and GG would also carry out reflective practice with them about building relationships in the community, communication and sustainability. This practice also became embedded into practical doing days at the garden.