Start your own Friends of Park Group
You can start a new group in a park where none exists.
Set up a Friends of Park Group
Your group will need to have at least one main contact person.
Once your group is created you may want to set up:
- a Facebook page and X profile
- a website
Apply to be a Bristol Parks Lead Volunteer
Before starting to organise, promote and deliver outdoor activities in your park you'll need to:
- apply to be a Park Volunteer Lead
- discuss your plans with Bristol Parks- we will contact you for an informal chat
- attend Parks Health and Safety training
About the role
pdf Read the Parks Volunteer Lead job description(212 KB)
Successful Lead Volunteer applicants will be invited to Parks Health and Safety training. The course covers key aspects in organising and running volunteer activities in a green space, including risk assessments, tool use, hazardous plants and additional support.
Trained Parks Lead Volunteers are covered under Bristol City Council personal accident and public liability insurance to lead group participants in a range of practical tasks using hand tools.
Apply to be a Parks Volunteer Lead
Bristol Park Volunteers that lead work sessions use standard forms and risk assessments to deliver safe sessions.
Forms and model risk assessments for trained parks volunteers
- document Site specific risk assessment template(28 KB)
- document Park volunteer activity health and safety plan(45 KB)
- document Accident report form(16 KB)
- document Attendance sheet for work sessions(24 KB)
- Model activity risk assessments
- Model generic risk assessments
- Training packs for Park Volunteer leads
Resources for Friends of Parks Groups
The resources below offer guidance to develop your park or green space activity programme and group.
Key Contacts to Support Green Space development
- Read our pdf Key Contacts for Bristol Parks Volunteers(1.07 MB) who offer guidance, help and support to develop your green space projects or park group.
- Your Park Bristol and Bath guidance on setting up a parks group.
Nature Conservation Guidance
- Bristol Parks: document Nature Conservation Guidance and timetable for actions(48 KB) .
- Avon Wildlife Trust, Team Wilder: Visit Team Wilder's website for information on how to start a new project and access training and resources including “How To” guides on meadow creation, natural barriers and dead hedges.
Roles in the group
- pdf how to be a chairperson(37 KB)
- pdf how to be a secretary(44 KB)
- pdf how to be a treasurer(35 KB)
Finance
Media
- pdf tips for press releases(49 KB)
- pdf how to give radio interviews(46 KB)
- pdf Bristol media contact list(41 KB)