As spring approaches, do you want to make new friends, get out in the fresh air, learn new skills or get a bit more exercise? You can do all this and more by becoming a Derby Parks Volunteer!
Working closely with the Council’s Parks team, the volunteers carry out conservation work and improvements to parks and green spaces across the city to ensure they’re preserved for the public to enjoy.
The group’s chairperson Peter Marshall, from Littleover, has been a member for almost 10 years. He went along to a session after hearing about the group from a friend and never looked back.
Peter said:
I had been retired for some time and my wife was volunteering at the Royal Derby. A friend told me he had been volunteering with a group at Sinfin Local Nature Reserve, doing all sorts of conservation and maintenance. I turned up for a session and have been volunteering ever since.
I was made welcome by the group from the beginning and really enjoy being part of it, you get a sense of belonging. We have several long-term members who have clocked up over 10 years and are still going.
There are so many benefits – it’s great to be outdoors, learn new skills and get some exercise. There’s a great variety of tasks to get involved with and you can do as much or as little as you can. It’s very satisfying to see what we’ve achieved at the end of the day. We also have plenty of breaks for tea and biscuits!
A group of volunteers hard at work
Peter added:
Our tasks take us to parks and green spaces all around the city. I’ve discovered places that were unknown to me, even one quite close to where I live. Some of the projects I remember fondly are pond lining at Chaddesden Park, building bridges at Allestree Park and step building at Chellaston brick works.
If it sounds like something you’d like to get involved with, come along and join us to try it for yourself. Anyone turning up on a task day will be joining a group of like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds, all with a common aim.
The volunteers have a dedicated task leader to link the group with the Council’s Parks team. Regular meetings take place to keep the group up to date with plans and developments across the parks.
Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure, said:
Derby's parks are a treasure. Derby Parks Volunteers work closely with the Council’s teams to keep them vibrant and enjoyable spaces for everyone to enjoy. Why not come along and enjoy the great outdoors while making new friends? By lending a hand, you can help our green spaces thrive.
To start out, new volunteers will need sturdy waterproof footwear and clothing to suit the season – volunteers work in all weathers! Volunteers are provided with all the necessary tools and PPE.
For more information go to the Derby Parks Volunteers websiteOpens in new tab or check out the group’s Facebook pageOpens in new tab.