Parks Community UK

We are very excited to launch our FREE Better Friends tool today. Designed specifically to help the thousands of volunteer UK Friends groups who champion & improve their local parks/green spaces. You can find it on our website parkscommunity.org.uk/betterfriends/ Please share far and wide!

@BOSFonline @CllrMajid @NatFedParks @Team4Nature @NaturallyBirmi1 @ParksAllianceUK @brummatters @BhamCityCouncil @forum_parks @parks_forum Fantastic as always to see these figures, such an impressive impact. Thank you to every single volunteer 👏🙏💚

Exciting update! We've counted up the volunteering numbers for our member groups in Birmingham from Oct to Dec 2023. Collectively, they contributed 21,254 hours, with the financial value of £221,467! Huge thanks to all of the volunteers, together we are making a difference! 💚🌳

Delighted to welcome a couple of new #volunteers this week! We put them both to work clearing cut material off the fen. Hopefully they weren't put off and will come back next week! #OxfordshireFens #OX3

@friendlyevalley @judyweb32049878 @NearbyWild @Freshwaterhabs Always a boost to get new volunteers, bet they felt great afterwards 👏. The satisfaction of making a positive difference, working outdoors, improving the environment, meeting likeminded people and burning calories. Way better than the gym! 💚

"Bone strength is set in childhood so better park access could prevent fractures in older people" @YourParkBB @ParksCommUK theguardian.com/environment/20…

Volunteers have provided literally millions of Pounds of support for our fab open spaces for which many thanks👏🏽 My respect for the army of volunteers in our city is huge💚 If you have any spare time, I hope you can join them👌🏾

If you would like to get involved, find parks & open spaces volunteers groups in #Birmingham by using our interactive map: bosf.org.uk/members/ Join hundreds of volunteers across our city in helping to look after these natural havens. For more info contact, info@bosf.org.uk

@exitthelemming Ourselves @NatFedParks & many others like @FieldsInTrust continue to campaign for statutory greenspace access. Volunteers up & down the country help maintain what we have & campaign to save those under threat. Everyone deserves to feel the benefits for mental & physical health.

The benefits of access to green space are well-publicised. The lack of access is also known to be harmful, especially to children. Which makes the Government’s quiet dropping of their plans to make access to green space legally binding even more puzzling theguardian.com/environment/20…

“…Scientists found that the children living in places with 20-25% more natural areas had increased bone strength that was equivalent to half a year’s natural growth.” Children living near green spaces ‘have stronger bones’ theguardian.com/environment/20…

🌳 “We support and link up the greenspace Friends Groups across the UK You are doing amazing work promoting good practice. Midlands Parks Forum values your partnership working in our ambition to see proper funding for all public greenspace.” 🌳”Parks need Friends Groups!”

🌳“Active friends groups are the best way to support and protect your local parks and green spaces; this appeal will give them extra help in doing so.” 🌳”You do some great stuff, advice is helpful and survey reports invaluable”

So close! £384 needed to hit @NatFedParks crowdfunding target of £3K. *** Deadline is end of today (10th Jan) *** & Aviva will matchfund to make it £6K. Thanks all who have helped so far 🥰🙏 Read More & Donate link 👇 avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/better-frien…

@FriendsCoCCP @Friendly_Bench @thelandtrust @TCVMerseyside @TheCountessNHS @nwparksforum Amazing work, well done to all! Happy Christmas and best wishes for a great 2024 💚

Our final event of the year went out with a bang .. a huge success .. very few of these people had ever made a wreath before and just look at the results 👏👏👏. The @Friendly_Bench made the perfect venue and the weather was kind to us. Happy Christmas and all the best for 2024.

Is this a a barrow or rabbit pillow warren? Graves Park has a story to you. @FOGPark1 are working with @MercianArch running FREE archaeology sessions. Follow this link to book: ukeconet.org/lostnortonpark… @FoHPark @JuliaAArmstrong @ParksCommUK @alisonclareteal @ParksSheffield @rbw66

🙌 @BhamCityCouncil needs our input on the future budget. Let's drop a hint about something we all love – parks & open spaces in our city! 🌳🌲💚 This is a great opportunity to share why our parks & open spaces matter! #BirminghamBudget survey here: birminghambeheard.org.uk/economy/bccbud…

TODAY! A lovely day out in Chiswick, find some foodie Christmas gifts and enjoy treats for oneself too 😋

@Heybournepark Hard work now, reap many rewards when Spring springs forth. Fantastic work Friends of Heybourne Park, thank you so much 💚

#GrahamePark #Communitygardening 🪴🌍🌳A few pictures of our gardening work at #HeybournePark in preparation of #Winter2023 We got a delivery of mulch-compost, cut back plants, moved some things and planted bulbs. It has now been the fifth year in a row that we have done this!🌷

ATTENTION - anyone want to lift the spirits of a disheartened greenspace volunteer group? 🙏 Pls give these lovely folk a follow. We’ve all had low points, but together we help & gain strength. Keep sharing on here Forus Tree! 🌳

@FestivalGardns Great choice, they will fill that space in no time. A super addition, thanks Friends of Festival Gardens for your efforts #MakingADifference

Peter and his boys from the Friends group planted elephant’s ears (Bergenias) by the steps up to the cascade.