Thread by @BDavisBriz

Looking forward to hearing more about the work of the 900 Park Friends Groups are doing across London to help preserve the capital's green spaces & increase community access and participation #CPRELondon

https://twitter.com/CPRELondon/status/1658834616130600960

First @ClaptonAlice opens by giving a potted history of CPRE London's work with Friends of Parks groups across London and its Friends of Parks network #CPRELondon

Roberts first gives an overview of the number of Friends Groups per London Borough, and how CPRE London have measured how active and independent these groups are - total number of groups is 926, ranging from just a few to over 50 per borough #CPRELondon

In all, Roberts says there are 23 of 33 Boroughs that have a Parks Friends group, with 15 independent of the Council. Roberts names #Barnet #Bromey #Brent #Merton #Haringey #Islington & #Wandsworth as the boroughs benefitting most from park friends groups #CPRELondon

Looking at Councils' relationships with Park Friends Groups, Roberts notes that a growing number of Councils have at least one member of staff who seek to build links b/w LAs and Friends Groups. Welcomes this as a way of strengthening co-operation #CPRELondon

Turning to the results of the Friends Group Survey, Roberts expresses her surprise at the "sheer depth" of activities Friends Group undertake - from tree & flower planting, through to Pride events, jubilee celebrations, wildlife recording & installing memorial benches #CPRELondon

When looking at challenges, Roberts notes that access to #water & climate-change related challenges were the biggest obstacles many groups faced. Other challenges focused on resources - such as funding or volunteers #CPRELondon

Next, @LDNgreenspaces Chair Dave Morris welcomes the reports' depiction of Friends Groups - saying it does a "fantastic job" of highlighting the important role Groups play in protecting & improving local parks #CPRELondon

Morris also stresses the important of Friends Groups Forums - notes that they prevent silo working, encourages cross-borough collaboration & creates a "strength of voice" when negotiating with Councils #CPRELondon

Morris calls on local governments to recognise the importance Friends Groups and related forums. However, says relationships need to be improved "both ways", so Friends Groups also need to seek closer relationships with LAs #CPRELondon

Next, @ParksforLondon's Tony Leach welcomes the fact there are now over 900 groups. Recognises that creating strong groups "does not happen overnight" so congratulates members for their hard work #CPRELondon

Leach echoes Morris' call for the development of Borough-wide forum groups. Says this helps streamline relationship building with LAs, but also helps to build capacity & highlight diversity each park & Friends Group has #CPRELondon

Leach also welcomes the maturing relationship between Local Authorities and Friends Groups, observing that "open & honest conversations" have moved away from an "adversarial relationship" towards a more collaborative way of working #CPRELondon

Now, @NatParkCityFdn's @markcridge says he is always "humbled" by the dedication of members of Friends Groups. In particular, the dedication of volunteers who regularly give time to improving parks, are the "lifeblood" of successful Friends Groups #CPRELondon

Cridge says that it is important that we celebrate these people - however, we also need to ensure we are removing barriers to volunteering. Notes it is often easier to encourage people to "get their hands dirty outdoors", it is harder to find admin volunteers #CPRELondon

This, Cridge argues, is a role that local authorities and civil society groups need to play - helping people to understand there are roles across the organisation to play, but that volunteers often need help building skills & capacity #CPRELondon

Finally, Cridge says more needs to be done to promote diversity amongst volunteers. Proposes that young people on a Duke of Edinburgh course could potentially spend part of their time working for their local Friends Group #CPRELondon

The webinar now moves on to a Q&A session #CPRELondon

First Q is on how to promote the activities that various Friends Groups are doing - Roberts gives a brief overview of the GoParks project, which is a space to share events by Borough, as well as providing copy for Groups to use in their own promotional materials #CPRELondon

When asked about additional challenges not mentioned in the report, one delegate mentions that new developments often have the unintended consequences of casting shadows over green spaces. Panellists welcome the fact the GLA is starting to consider the Right To Light #CPRELondon

Morris also calls for the development of strategic local strategies both for and between local Friends Groups, to help encourage the development of new groups and the building of specialist skillsets #CPRELondon

Final Q is on the challenges around recruiting #Trustees. Roberts says it was not specifically asked in the survey. Morris says 95% of Friends Groups are voluntary associations so this will be a common challenge - but says its easier "where groups form organically" #CPRELondon

Cridge agrees - says that a diverse group of trustees will not just consider the green space of a park, but also its wider benefits to arts, culture, sports and heritage. This is why it is vital to have volunteers & trustees from different walks of life #CPRELondon

The final Q is on the role of anchor institutions in developing Friends Groups. Roberts notes it was not a specific part of the research but, generally, stronger Friends Groups have had input from various groups across communities #CPRELondon

Very interesting presentation on the important roles Friends Groups can play in preserving & improving London’s parks & how they can be better supported. Thanks to @ClaptonAlice, Dave Morris, Tony Leach & @markcridge for your insights & to @CPRELondon for hosting! #CPRELondon

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