Volunteering & Training
Our Community Coordinator - Jan Carr
Updated: 18th May 2012
 |
"I'm really excited to be working with the Friends of St.James' Park and ParkLife.
I'm looking forward to giving as many people as possible, from the surrounding community some great volunteer opportunities.
I live in Shirley and have four children who have all enjoyed St.James' Park when they were younger. I've worked in community involvement for the last 8 years, firstly for Swaythling Housing Society (now Radian), then for Sure Start in Lordshill, Shirley Warren and Coxford. I'll usually be in the Park on Mondays and Tuesdays but you can email me at jan.carr@fosjp.org.uk any time, I aim to respond within 5 working days." |
The Park Loves Volunteers! Friday 14th February 2013
Updated: 23rd February 2013
Valentine's Day was the perfect day to say "Thank You" and show some love to the long list of wonderful people who have volunteered at St.James' Park over the last year. Twenty‑five volunteers in all dropped in and enjoyed tea, coffee, and a Valentine's cupcake from Love Cake in St.James Road. Everyone who came received a thank you card and a small thank you gift designed especially for St.James' Park volunteers by Kate Woodley‑Smith.
It was also a really good opportunity for volunteers to meet each other and find out what they do. It was surprising how many people didn't know each other. It was a lovely sociable time. Thank you to everyone who let Jan know that they couldn't come: there's a card and small gift for everyone she invited, so if that's you, she hopes you'll be able to pop in to the ParkLife Café / Community Room to pick yours up.
A Boost for St.James' Park!
|
In partnership with  |
Updated: 9th July 2012
In Feburary 2012 trust fund Lankelly Chase agreed to pay for a 3‑year project to help local residents participate in a variety of activities in St.James' Park. The money will help to pay for a part‑time Community Coordinator whose role will be to encourage people to get involved in volunteering and to set up training opportunities.
The project is a joint initiative between FoSJP and ParkLife, the Community Interest Company which runs the Park's Café and Community Room. There will be opportunities for people from all age groups to become involved in the Park, including joining the FoSJP Gardening Team, setting up sports activities, researching Shirley's history, helping at Park events, and volunteering in the Café.
Rebecca Kinge, a volunteer for FoSJP and ParkLife, said:
"This money will make a real difference to what we can achieve. With a paid worker, we can get more people involved in our much-loved park. In particular we will be encouraging people who might need a bit of support, such as the long‑term unemployed, young people with few qualifications, or people with health issues, to help them develop their own confidence and skills."
ParkLife opened its community‑owned café in July 2011 year as part of the Park's major refurbishment. The Community Room in the café building offers a venue for clubs, educational courses, and young people's drop‑ins. The new Community Coordinator will be encouraging local people to come up with ideas for activities and help get them up and running.
The grant will also allow FoSJP to facilitate information and advice drop‑ins in the café building. FoSJP is now looking for partner organisations with expertise in this area to help them deliver a first‑class service to people in the greatest need.
 |
If you are a potential volunteer, another agency delivering services to local residents, or just want to know more, please contact our Community Coordinator, Jan Carr, at jan.carr@fosjp.org.uk. |
If you want to give your support to what FoSJP is doing, or have other comments, please join FoSJP's Facebook Page.
Training and Other Opportunities
Updated: 8th September 2012
When we have more information available, we'll be adding further pages underneath the banner of Volunteering & Training, such as:
- information on training courses, both at St.James' Park and elsewhere;
- community workshops;
- links to information on volunteering opportunities.
If there's an area of training that you're particularly interested in, please contact our Community Coordinator, Jan Carr, at jan.carr@fosjp.org.uk.
 |
Visit our Training Opportunities page to find out about forthcoming opportunities and what we've already been able to offer. |
