PRESS RELEASE
10 November 2006
For immediate release
The Parks Trust is the first environmental organisation in the country to be awarded the prestigious “Investing in Volunteers” (IiV) quality standard by national volunteering development agency Volunteering England.
Over 160 people currently volunteer for the Milton Keynes-based charity, which cares for parks and greenspace, including river valleys, ancient woodland, lakeside parks and landscaped areas, in a variety of roles. These include park ranger patrols, practical conservation, monitoring wildlife, photography and developing ‘friends groups’ and provide volunteers with skills development, social interaction and a sense of purpose.
The Trust was awarded the IiV quality standard for meeting a set of stringent criteria, and was recognised in particular for its work in engaging a diverse local community.
Gina Aylward, manager of Investing in Volunteers, said: “The residents of Milton Keynes are very fortunate to have in The Parks Trust such a committed and valued group of volunteers who are so passionate about parks and greenspace conservation and the legacy it will leave. The awarding of their IiV quality mark is well-deserved, and I am delighted that both volunteers and community will benefit as a result.”
The achievements of The Parks Trust volunteering programme include:
- Training opportunities, such as photography, dry stonewalling and hedgelaying
- A variety of flexible volunteering opportunities (including a “cricketing volunteer”, developing the website or event support) that enable volunteers to work across different activities when they want to.
- Social functions and outings as an opportunity for volunteers and staff to meet and to thank the volunteers
David Foster, Chief Executive of The Parks Trust’s, said: “We are honoured to receive this award. The work undertaken by our volunteers is vital to our parks and we’re grateful for their time and expertise. They help us to maintain over 4,500 acres of parkland for the benefit of people that live, work and visit Milton Keynes and in return we strive to provide an opportunity where they can learn new skills, meet new people and have fun.”
Case study:
Ted Atkinson, 72, Volunteer at the Parks Trust, Milton Keynes
I began volunteering at the Parks Trust four years ago, after I retired from my job as an electrical consulting engineer. I had plenty of free time, I enjoyed the countryside and parks and felt I would like to help maintain the environment and keep myself fit and healthy.
I enjoy practical tasks such as hedge laying the most, and through this I’ve gained a greater appreciation of nature and the countryside around us – as well as making new friends. I feel a sense of pride in keeping my own area (Linford Manor) as litter free as far as possible and the way I would like all areas to be.
I would advise anyone considering volunteering to try it as I am sure they would enjoy it – as well as getting to know a good crowd of people.
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Notes to Editors:
- For more information and to arrange interviews, call Cat Dean on 020 7520 8932; email cat.dean@volunteeringengland.org . During out of office hours, please call Sonya Roberts on: 07952 128057
- For more information on Investing in Volunteers, visit: www.investinginvolunteers.org.uk or call Sonet Geyer on 020 7520 8982
- Potential volunteers should contact Briony Serginson at volunteering@theparkstrust.com or 01908255374.
- The indicators against which the organisation was judged include commitment to and recognition of volunteers, reflecting the diversity of the local community and ongoing support. For a full list of all ten, please contact Cat Dean.
Volunteering England’s aims are to increase the quality, quantity, contribution and accessibility of volunteering throughout England; secure and support an England-wide network of quality volunteer development agencies, promoting and enabling volunteering and community involvement; undertake research, policy and development activity; and provide grants, support and advice to sustain and develop volunteering. It understands the term volunteering to include formal activity undertaken through public, private and voluntary organisations as well as informal community participation.
The Parks Trust is an independent charity that cares for Milton Keynes’ parks and green spaces – the river valleys, ancient woodlands, lakeside parks and landscaped areas alongside the main roads that make the city such a great place to live, work and visit.