What is a Friends of Group? Friends of Parks groups play a vital role in enhancing local parks and open spaces and help local people have a greater say in how their green spaces are maintained and developed.

These volunteer run groups work in a variety of ways such as fundraising, developing park improvement projects and running a variety of events within parks.

Many Friends of Parks groups have their own website or use Facebook to organise their activities.

The Friends of Rickerby Park meet in Eden Bridge Gardens at the bothy (one of the square buildings in the gardens) at 10.00am on the second Saturday of each month.  The group meet for approximately 2 hours and work on a variety of different tasks within the park, anything from painting benches and handrails to planting new trees. Everyone is welcome with jobs suitable for all abilities.  Gloves and tools are provided for all volunteers.

To find out more The Friends of Rickerby Park can be contacted at: [email protected]

The Friends of Chances Park  are a group of volunteers from all walks of life, dedicated to preserving the park for the enjoyment of the local community.  The group are always looking for volunteers to help in a variety of different ways such as joining the gardening group, litter-picking, fundraising and IT skills, all to help keep the green space not only for the local community now but for future generations.

The Friends of Chances Park have a range of free activities for children and families to do within the park, which include the Chances Park Nature Trail, Mini Beast Magic, A Bird’s Eye view, In & out Nature Trail, Wood you Believe It or Travelling Through Time.  Activity sheets are available from the website, Friends of Chances Park Facebook page or in Morton Manor on the Friends Notice board.

The Friends of Chances Park can be contacted at:

[email protected] or see the facebook page

Friends of Hammonds Pond: Established in 1995 this well established group is made up of local residents of all ages.  The Friends of Hammonds Pond put on a range of community events throughout the year and welcome anyone to join them, bringing support and new ideas for the future.  The group have an active Facebook page on which information on Hammonds Pond, events and activities on the site are posted.

The Friends of Hammonds Pond can be contacted at: [email protected] or see the facebook page

Why volunteer?

People may choose to volunteer for a variety of different reasons and volunteering can greatly benefit an individual and a community.  Volunteering provides an opportunity to:

•give something back to an organisation which may have helped you or someone close to you

•make a difference to the lives of others

•help the environment

•help others less fortunate or without a voice

•feel valued and part of a team

•spend quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle

•gain confidence and self-esteem.

Volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new which may lead to a career change. Volunteering can be a way of:

•gaining new skills, knowledge and experience

•developing existing skills and knowledge

•enhancing a CV

•improving one's employment prospects

•gaining an accreditation

•using one's professional skills and knowledge to benefit others.

Volunteering also appeals because of its social benefits, which include:

•meeting new people and making new friends

•a chance to socialise

•getting to know the local community.

There are opportunities to volunteer with Carlisle City Council in a variety of different roles which benefit our local communities and environment.

Carlisle Green Space Volunteers

The Carlisle Green Space Volunteers are a group of enthusiastic volunteers who meet up on Wednesdays to carry out practical  tasks in the parks, green spaces and allotments around the city of Carlisle.

The team plays an important role in the looking after Carlisle’s parks and green spaces, carrying out tasks such as painting, site furntture refurbishment, hay meadow management, litter picking, coppicing, footpath management, pond management and boardwalk construction. It is a great chance get to meet new people, learn new skills and contribute towards the maintenance and wildlife conservation of Carlisle.

Carlisle City Council will provide you with all the tools and equipment you will need on the day and even teas and coffees! (currently not providing drinks due to COVID-19) We just ask that you bring you own waterproof gear, steel toe cap boots or wellies, a packed lunch and plenty of enthusiasm.

For more information please email [email protected] or contact the Green Spaces Team on 01228 817 200, or download the volunteer application form below.

Please see the programme for 2021 at the bottom of this page.

Wellness Walk and Tuesday Trundles Walk leaders

Do you enjoy walking in our beautiful local area?  Would you like to share your passion for walking with others and encourage others to become more active?

If so becoming a walk leader is for you.  Opportunities to volunteer as a walk leader with Carlisle City Council are available both through our Wellness Walks and Tuesday Trundles. 

As a volunteer walk leader you will:

•Help people in your community to get active and healthy

•Get to know others and become part of a community of walkers and volunteers

•Receive specialist training as part of a nationally recognised and well-respected programme.

•Help to organise and risk assess walk routes across our beautiful district.

For more information please email [email protected] or contact the Healthy City Team on 01228 817200.

Further opportunities to volunteer with Carlisle City Council can be found in Our Volunteers  

Further information about volunteering and current volunteering vacancies can be found on Cumbria CVS website