Green Volunteers are cream of the crop
2 October 2008
The borough's Green Volunteers are celebrating having made it to
the finals of one of the UK’s most prestigious service awards for
the public sector.
Our Green Volunteers scheme – which connects local people
with local green spaces – is officially amongst the top seven in
the UK for voluntary sector partnership working after being
shortlisted for the Best Partnership Working (Public/Voluntary)
award from the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE).
The awards, held in September, attracted over 350 entries from
local authorities, where entrants needed to impress a panel of
expert public service judges and satisfy strict criteria in order
to be shortlisted. This included demonstrating improvements made to
the local environment - including parks and the countryside,
challenges overcome and expressing future targets and goals.
Green Volunteer Co-ordinator Ian Trickett, elaborates: “The
Green Volunteer scheme is not even a year old yet, so to be amongst
the top seven in the country for what we deliver is something every
single Green Volunteer should be proud of.”
The Green Volunteers scheme was set up in summer 2007 to broaden
opportunities for environmental volunteering in the Rochdale
borough. With a team that boasts almost 60 people, the Green
Volunteers have undertaken some highly significant work - including
opening up previously overgrown footpaths, managing woodland,
eradicating invasive weeds and supporting a healthy amble walks
programme to help people on the road to steady exercise.
Councillor Wera Hobhouse, cabinet member for environment and
sustainability, enthused: “I’ve taken part in many Green Volunteer
projects and I’ve always come back feeling fresh and
invigorated.
“Being a Green Volunteer isn’t just about going out and
improving the countryside, but it’s about having fun, making new
friends and making a real difference to our local surroundings –
and feeling great about it!”
The Green Volunteers service works directly in partnership with
other voluntary sector organisations such as ‘friends’ groups and
other environmental and volunteer groups to share resources and
work programmes.
The next projects the Green Volunteers will be working on are
restoring herbaceous flower borders in Denehurst Park and
Springfield Park. So if you’re handy about the garden, the Green
Volunteers want to speak to you!
If you’d like to become a Green Volunteer, contact Green
Volunteer Coordinator Ian Trickett on 01706 922073, or e-mail
ian.trickett@rochdale.gov.uk.