Get involved

One of the most exciting things about designing and building the new Mile End Park for the 21st Century is that it has sought to involve the local community right from the start (pdf 56kb).

The value of partnership is demonstrated by the achievements so far at Mile End Park. Funders, sponsors, local community and voluntary organisations, local residents and council staff have all played a major role in helping to transform the park and continue to work to ensure that it lives up to the original vision Internal link to Vision dot section of the Mile End Park Partnership

The current Park Management Plan sets out the programme for the parks development into the future and working in partnership with other organisations and park users remains a priority.

You are encouraged to get in touch with the Park Director if you want to collaborate in a Park event or activity – the key to all safe and well used parks is the number and variety of their users.

The Friends of Mile End Park also provide the major opportunity for park users and other interested groups to have a say in the way that the park is run and to organise activities which are of interest to park users.

Become a park volunteer

We are expanding opportunities for people to volunteer with work and events in Mile End Park. We are looking for volunteers to help with:

• Environmental work
• Assisting at events
• Providing activities in the park
• Helping the Rangers with projects
• Visitor surveys

What do I need to be a volunteer?

To volunteer you must be 16 years or above (or 11 years and above and accompanied by an adult) and willing to complete a Criminal Records Bureau check. You don’t need any previous experience or skills just the urge to join in and help with the park. All volunteers will be given free training and provided with appropriate safety equipment they need for each event.

What forms do I need to fill in?

You will be asked to fill in three forms:

1. Skills and Contact Sheet: This helps us work out what kind of tasks you would like to do and what training you might need. You are asked to give us two names of people who know you, this might be a boss, a friend or a neighbour we will then contact them and ask them to recommend you as a park volunteer, which allows us to make the members of the public feel safe when people are working in the park. You can download the Skills and Contact Sheet (Word 43k)

Please email the completed form to: michael.rowan@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Once we have received this we will get back to you for you to complete the following:

2. A Criminal Records Bureau Check: This allows us to assure any members of the public who are using the park that all our staff and volunteers are safe.

3. A Volunteer Agreement Form: This sets out what you are expected to do as a volunteer in the park. You will be asked to sign it to show that you have read it.

What’s in it for me?

By volunteering at Mile End Park you will:

• Gain new skills
• Meet new people
• Help develop one of the most innovative parks in London
• Take part in exciting events
• Have a place to go every last Sunday of the month

How soon can I start?

You can start as soon as you have returned your application form (skills and contact sheet) and we have received references and carried out any other necessary checks.

How often will it happen?

You can come as often or as little as you like. You can volunteer once or come to everything! There will be an opportunity to take part in a seasonal task on the last Sunday of every month. Alongside this will be other opportunities such as helping at events like the Community Fair and Halloween, lone task such as visitor surveys and group challenges when projects arise. There will also be opportunities to socialise through the volunteer forum to discuss the volunteering opportunities at Mile End Park and how they can be shaped.

The next events are:

• 29th March: Building a swan platform and other ecological work
• 27th April: Removal of over dominant plant species from meadow area

Volunteering opportunities will be sent to you and also posted on the website.

How do I join?

Fill our application in here online (Word 43k)

For further information

email: michael.rowan@towerhamlets.gov.uk

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