Braywick Big Society partnership means better services and more volunteering opportunities

A Big Society project at Braywick Nature Centre will mean more and better services for residents and schools and increased opportunities for volunteering.

The changes - including plans for a new café - are the result of a partnership between the Royal Borough and national environmental charity Groundwork Thames Valley (GTV) which will manage the popular centre from April.

The five-year partnership will also mean reduced operating costs for the council and ultimately savings for local council taxpayers.

Cllr Simon Dudley, cabinet member for adult and community services, welcomed the move as a boost to the borough's Big Society programme with its extended scope for community involvement in the environmental projects for which Braywick is already held in such high regard.

He said: "We have a gem of a service in Braywick Nature Centre. It is much valued as an education resource and loved by the wider community for its enjoyable workshops and environmental and sustainability projects in local parks and open spaces.

"Our new partnership means that Braywick's work can be expanded through GTV's environmental expertise and networks, bringing an enhanced education programme, more and exciting opportunities for volunteering and even better facilities for visitors.

"We are on the brink of a new era at Braywick, with the added advantage of saving on the running costs which is always good news for council taxpayers."

GTV is part of a national federation of 42 community regeneration trusts. GTV manages the Colne Valley Regional Park, which stretches from Rickmansworth to Staines and several centres within it.

GTV manages a regional schools network known - Groundwork Green Schools - which is accessed by more than 400 schools from across the region and it also has more than 100 volunteers providing 10,000 hours of service. Its Blue Sky Workforce involving ex-offenders already operates in Royal Borough parks, and it has experience of engaging with adults who have special needs and young people not in education, employment or training.

Richard Pollard, new development manager for Braywick Nature Centre and Reserves, said: "It is an honour to be taking over the reigns of Braywick. We are looking forward to working in partnership with the Royal Borough to grow the services and volunteering opportunities that have already made Braywick a unique and successful Big Society hub."

The partnership with the borough will mean:
• increased opportunities for local schools through getting involved in the Green School regional network, training and associated programmes like love local food
• opportunities to visit the centre and participate in the new education programme - Natural Connections, which aims to improve children's personal development and social skills through activities that better connect children with the value and importance of our natural environments, themes cover nature, renewable energy, tribal cultures, wild art/sculpture and forest schools
• different openings for volunteers and interns interested in gaining experience/skills in conservation, education and sustainability, thanks to GTV's team of trainers
• more opportunities for income generation through channels not available to the council
• developing plans for a new café for visitors, staffed mainly by volunteers
• better value for money for local council taxpayers through a £6,000 reduction in the centre running costs and a non-inflation increase in fees over the next five years.

The partnership was agreed by cabinet in December 2011.

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