ParkWork

ParkWork was established by Bristol Parks Forum to offer training and skills development for people who need additional support to secure permanent employment, while improving the maintenance and management of Bristol’s parks.

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ParkWork is now run by Bristol City Council’s Park Service.

Please contact Bristol City Council ParkWork coordinator Joe McKenna for more details.

Visit the ParkWork Facebook Page for the latest updates >>

Other volunteering opportunities in Bristol’s parks >>

2014 – Rethinking Parks

ParkWork started as a 15 month practical pilot of costs and benefits of involving volunteers and placement workers in the management of parks and public open space in Bristol.

Bristol Parks Forum, Bristol City Council, and LUC secured funding from the UK ‘Rethinking Parks’ Programme run by Nesta in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund in 2014, it is one of 11 projects to have received funding from 209 Expressions of Interest.

In recognition of the value of the work being undertaken further funding was then provided by Bristol City Council to extend the duration of the project.

Project Objectives

• To Enhance Resources available for management of Bristol’s parks and green spaces.
• To Support Quality Parks, towards meeting community park groups aspirations and implementing management plans.
• To Deliver Social Benefits, providing marginalised communities with new skills and training.

Project Report

ParkWork coordinator (Joe McKenna) has been with the project since work started on the ground in early 2015.

You can read Joe’s report on the project on the Nesta website here:
Bristol ParkWork: What we’ve learnt

Nesta have also produced a report bringing together the insights and lessons from all eleven Rethinking Parks projects around the country:
Learning to Rethink Parks