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Ground Force-style challenge needs volunteers to help reinvigorate York park

Volunteers from York Flourish, a community organisation that supports people with dementia

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Community, Environment

Volunteers from York Flourish, a community organisation that supports people with dementia
Volunteers from York Flourish, a community organisation that supports people with dementia

Bosses in York are being urged to encourage their workforce to take part in a Ground Force-style community challenge this October.

Employee-volunteering charity York Cares, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, needs 200 people to refresh and re-invigorate Hull Road Park as a hub for the community.

Nestlé, Aviva, The Partners Group, Benenden, City of York Council, York Marriott, First York, Portakabin and TSP have already signed up to the three-day Community Challenge from October 11 to 13.

Materials and staffing support are being provided by Evora Construction, Johnsons of Whixley, City of York Council Environment Officer and the Urban Buzz Project.

The volunteers will convert a disused shower room into a tool store, redecorate parts of the pavilion, landscape green spaces; plant bulbs, shrubs and trees, create a new woodland play path, build raised beds, refresh the park furniture, and create a sign and composting area for a “secret garden project” for people experiencing dementia.

Caroline Wilcock, project officer at York Cares said:

We’ve had a great response from the city’s employers but we’d like even more volunteers to come forward. It’s our 10th anniversary this year so we’d like this challenge to be our best yet.

We’re working with York Flourish, a community organisation supporting local residents with dementia, and City of York Council to enhance the park and create a space for social, recreational, health and well-being opportunities for families and older people in the area, with the aim of integrating the wider community.

Successful projects

Graham Richardson, managing director at Johnsons of Whixley said: “We are delighted to support York Cares in this worthwhile project as they seek to breathe new life into one of the more run-down spaces in our city.”

Organised each year by York Cares, the Big Community Challenge at Hull Road Park is the latest in a series of successful makeover projects in the city.

Projects to benefit in previous years include Osbaldwick Primary School, St. Paul’s CE Primary School, Windsor House and Morrell House elderly people’s homes, West Bank Park, Rowntree Park, Foxwood Community Centre and Bell Farm Adventure Playground.

Teams of employees are invited to spare half a day to help Hull Road Park to flourish. Teams can sign up for either a morning (9.30am-12.30pm) or afternoon session (1pm-4pm) on either October 11, 12 or 13.

To volunteer for the York Cares’ Big Community Challenge call 01904 322922 or visit yorkcares.co.uk.