Volunteering in Watford

Watford has a network of amazing volunteers who contribute their time and energy to help maintain the town’s parks and open spaces so that they are wonderful places for everyone to visit and enjoy.

'Friends of' and other resident groups

There are a number of active local resident groups that help look after Watford parks:

• Friends of Cassiobury Park
• Friends of Oxhey Park
• Friends of Harebreaks Wood
• Oxhey Village Environment Group (OVEG)
• Courtlands Residents Association (Goodwood Recreation Ground)
• Ridge Residents Association (North Watford Playing Fields)
• Watford Fields Residents Association

If you are interested in joining one of these, please email: enquiries.watford@veolia.co.uk

Green Gym

The Green Gym is a great way to get fit and help improve the environment.

Cassiobury Park

• Friends of Cassiobury Park - Litter picking sessions and practical conservation work parties are held on the third Saturday of the month. Check their website for more information.
• Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust - Run practical conservation work sessions on weekdays in the Local Nature Reserve. Check their website for more information.
• Green Gym - Run gardening and habitat improvement sessions on Wednesdays at 10:30am to 12:30pm in the Peace Garden. Check their website for more information.
• Watford Interfaith Association - Run gardening and habitat improvement sessions on Wednesdays at 10:30am to 12:30pm in the Peace Garden. Check their website for more information.
• Corporate volunteering - For bespoke volunteering sessions for your company or team, please contact the Conservation Volunteers.

The River Colne

Find out about volunteering to make The River Colne a nicer, healthier place for all its inhabitants, whether human or animal.

Support and funding

Veolia's scheme Friends In Green Spaces (FIGS) can assist outdoor voluntary and community activities in the following ways:

• Collection of rubbish after clear-ups
• Lending community clean-up kits and tools
• Offer support and advice
• Arrange use of meeting spaces at the new Cassiobury Hub and at Cheslyn House
• Establishing a new Friends Of group in areas not already represented
• Funding purchases of tools, bulbs, tree whips or other supplies

To apply for FIGS funding please complete and return this form (PDF 445kB) or email: enquiries.watford@veolia.co.uk

Watford Borough Council's Small Grants Fund is also available to assist voluntary and community sector groups.