Scouting for Volunteers

Between 24 October 2008 and 24 October 2008, in Reading

Young people gave something back to their communities by helping to clear up an unkempt children's playground as part of CSV Make a Difference Day, the UK's single biggest day of volunteering. 

The rain clouds may have threatened, the beginning of schools' half-term may have loomed, but the Make A Difference Day event at Christchurch Meadows was a real success.

After weeks of preparation, local young people joined forces with Reading Borough Council to help revamp the playground and riverbank at Christchurch Meadows.  Not only was there keen local interest (including one lady who decided to pick up a spade after seeing the work being done) but there was also a surprise guest appearance - the 52nd Reading Scout Group!

Not only were weeds weeded and seating sanded, local wildlife was also discovered amidst the unkempt shrubbery!  But before you start worrying that we were making natives homeless, one parent demonstrated how we could make a brand spanking new home using just weed clippings. 

With plenty of gardening for volunteers to get stuck into, the day was capped-off with a picnic lunch provided by 'Agents4Change' and Reading Voluntary Action.  And as you can expect with a group of hard-working young people, there was little left for second helpings!

David Booth, a Parks Development Officer for Reading Borough Council, summed up the success of the day:  ‘Many families with young children use this space to play in and it relies heavily on volunteers to maintain. It is great that so many young people are getting involved and showing they care about their local area.'

Posted on 10 November 2008 11:42:31 by Maz Ebtehaj

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