Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 Impact Report for Our Parklife CIC Contents

Home , Parklife

Executive Summary �� 4

Our Parklife Founding Partners �� 6

The story so far ...... 8

Measuring our Impact ��12

Volunteering - Park Champions ��16

Customer and Mobility Services ��21

Local Employment and Training ��24

Educational visits careers workshops & work experience...... 30

Mobile Garden City...... 35

Consulting our Stakeholders ��39

Collaboration & working with Park stakeholders ��42

Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 3 Executive summary

Established in 2014 when Queen We have worked hard to ensure that The unique mix of expertise that stems Elizabeth Olympic Park reopened employment opportunities are targeted from our founding partners enables us Our Parklife CIC has been working in at local communities and are proud that to design new and innovative services partnership with the London Legacy over 68% of the team, that look after and ways of working with Park partners. Development Corporation (LLDC) and the Parklands and venues, come from We look forward to developing these local communities to ensure that East the host boroughs of Newham, Tower opportunities in 2018 as exciting new Londoners benefit from opportunities Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Hackney. organisations and institutions move onto to volunteer, work and gain new skills We have provided over 300 training the Park and we progress exciting new on the Park. opportunities to those volunteering or services and programmes. working with us on our employment During 2017 we have seen the Park programmes. This included individuals Our aim is to create measurable, Champion Volunteer programme grow with long term health conditions or a positive social impact for local people, from strength to strength, becoming disability wanting to enter or return to through how the Park is managed and ‘Investing in Volunteers’ accredited the world of work with ENGIE. maintained, by involving local people – the best practice standard for in services, activities and events. The volunteer management in the UK. This Our Parklife’s considerable success in income we receive for the services we continues to highlight the importance 2017 has been recognised more widely provide is reinvested in realising our we place on delivering well managed, in being ‘Highly Commended’ in the aims. meaningful and fun volunteering Experian Award for Building Stronger opportunities on and around the Park. Communities in the prestigious Business in the Community Responsible Business Our proud volunteers are the face of the Awards. Park, exuding energy, enthusiasm and passion, dedicating over 16,300 hours of Our work on Social Impact suggests we their time to customer services, mobility have created approximately £5.6m1 of services, events, community guiding and economic and social value for the local horticulture. community.

1 This is a sum of the economic value and subjective wellbeing value of our volunteering and employment programmes.

4 Executive Summary Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 5 About Our Parklife and idverde UK Renaisi idverde is wholly dedicated to providing Groundwork London quality green services and passionate Groundwork London is a social and We’re an award-winning social about ensuring a bright future for environmental regeneration charity. enterprise focussing our mission and Britain’s parks and countryside. work on a simple goal: to spark change it’s founding partners For almost 20 years they have been in place. As the UK’s largest green services at the forefront of environmental and provider, idverde’s services range from social regeneration in London; changing We believe that the best way to do this places and lives for the better in some is to ask a question: what does it take Our Parklife Community Interest professional open space management of the capital’s most disadvantaged to improve a place? What makes us Company (CIC) is a social enterprise to landscape design and build, grounds neighbourhoods. In today’s challenging unique is the fact that we do two things on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park maintenance, tree surgery, outdoor social and economic climate, the work in one business: we deliver employment designed to help deliver the legacy facilities management, biodiversity ENGIE they do has never been more important. support, advice, connection and of the 2012 London Olympic and management and waterways ENGIE is a leading energy and services engagement services to individuals and Paralympic Games. It is a truly management. idverde cares for parks company focused on three key activities: Their three over-arching objectives are we help social organisations, charities innovative joint venture being the and gardens, amenity green space, production and supply of energy, to create better places, improve people’s and institutions to deliver greater impact first CIC to bring together skills playing fields, canals and rivers, facilities management and regeneration. prospects, and promote greener living and experience from the private, woodlands, cemeteries and nature through our consultancy services. Our 17,000 employees combine these and working. charitable and social enterprise reserves for a range of public and capabilities for the benefit of individuals, sectors in one organisation. private sector customers across the UK. www.groundwork.org.uk/london www.renaisi.com businesses and communities throughout This unique partnership comprises: the UK & Ireland. We enable customers www.idverde.co.uk @GroundworkLON @Renaisi ENGIE, principal contractor for to embrace a lower carbon, more @idverdeUK estates and facilities management; efficient and increasingly digital world. idverde, the parklands management Our customers benefit from our energy sub-contractor to ENGIE; Renaisi, a efficient and smart building solutions, local social enterprise specialising the provision of effective and innovative in regeneration; and environmental services, the transformation of and social regeneration charity neighbourhoods through regeneration Groundwork London. In establishing projects, and the supply of reliable, a CIC, the partners went above and flexible and renewable energy. ENGIE beyond traditional sustainability improves lives through better living solutions. Its success lies within its and working environments. We help to ability to maximise the know-how balance performance with responsibility, and skills of the founding partners, enabling progress in a harmonious way. which has enabled the CIC to develop and deliver a diverse range of www.engie.co.uk programmes for local people. @ENGIE_UK

6 About Our Parklife and it’s founding partners Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 7 Partnership model - capacity created

reates additional cap The story so far C acity

Our Parklife was established to Renaisi The Estates and Facilities In our first year Our Parklife: Groundwork Management contract ensure that the Estates and Facilities London, idverde, Clear not for Management contract on the Park met nn Established the Park Mobility service ENGIE ENGIE are contracted to deliver the profit brand – these ambitions. Estates and Facilities Management nn Developed the Park Champion Access to expertise can be developed across ENGIE on the Park for (EFM) contract on Queen Elizabeth The Public Services (Social volunteer programme commercial Olympic Park on behalf of the London services Legacy Development Corporation Value) Act 2013 and the nn Hosted education visits and careers (LLDC). The contract approach is built ‘Convergence’ Ambition events with local schools and groups on the belief that a successful park is The Public Services (Social Value) Act nn Ensured that employment and Ability to attract connected to its local community. To came into force on 31 January 2013. It Creating new training opportunities were focussed long term social requires those who commission public services – Park achieve this, the vision for delivering on local, under-represented investment as services to think about how they can Mobility the EFM contract has to be linked to the communities market develops delivery of the LLDC’s “Priority Themes” also secure wider social, economic and for social, economic and environmental environmental benefits. Our Parklife nn Provided volunteering opportunities Connecting regeneration in the local area that CIC was one of the first CIC’s set up with for businesses to give back to the t C n the sole purpose of finding innovative Park and local area r Local People to e represent the regeneration legacy. e

a m solutions to some of the challenges t t nn Developed key relationships and e the Park Testing new s faced in East London. Our Parklife plays s Joint Venture e commercial v s Structure based on consulted with Park stakeholders. n an important part in the ‘Convergence’ o services. Profits to i Company Limited by c be reinvested r Ambition – that the Park will be the i o a Guarantee f nn Set up and operated Mobile Garden l back into CIC catalyst for long term regeneration and a s City – the only community garden on n ie growth in East London, helping to “close d it the Park b Levered in n the gap in performance and prospects u tu s Targets for resources from r i o between the wealthiest and poorest nn Provided event support to the n local employment Skills Funding p e p communities and in so doing bringing London Stadium, West Ham United ss volunteering skills Agency, Public o v programmes etc. and Charitable s benefits for all.” Football Club & London Lions al te ue Sectors ea Basketball Club Cr www.growthboroughs.com/ convergence

8 The story so far Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 9 Highlights from 2017 Stronger Communities nn Collaborated with local colleges and Universities including University Our Parklife has grown from strength nn Delivered over 55 accredited training College London (UCL), Loughborough to strength during its third full year qualifications University London, University of East of operation. We’ve continued to build London (UEL), Queen Mary University nn Supported 24 Apprentices in on our successes of 2014-17 and look Facilities Management, Horticulture, forward to another busy year in 2018. nn Delivered Customer and Mobility Cleaning and Team Leading This year we: Services welcoming over 76,200 Park visitors and over 6,700 visitors nn Coordinated and managed over nn Supported over 22 volunteers into were supported through our mobility 780 volunteers giving up over paid employment, including 14 West service 16,300 hours of their time, creating Ham Supporter Liaison Officers a value of £158,900 to the Park nn In 2017 11 of our staff were nn Developed Corporate Volunteering and £2,133,000 of value through previously unemployed. We calculate opportunities on the Park, further subjective wellbeing. that this has created a Social Value of engaging businesses in the Park, £161,717.162 nn Became ‘Investing in Volunteers’ with a financial contribution going Accredited, demonstrating the to the CIC to be reinvested in its nn Supported an innovative importance we place on delivering activities Autonomous vehicle trial which well managed, meaningful and fun engaged over 1,300 Park visitors volunteering opportunities nn Delivered bespoke volunteer placements for young people with nn Developed revenue generating nn Supported the IAAF and IPC World Special Educational Needs. proposals, the profits of which will Athletics Championships Runners be reinvested back into the Social Volunteer programme. nn Facilitated 8 School/Education purpose of the CIC – supporting Visits inspiring local young nn Were 'Highly Commended' at volunteering, training and people to learn about Biodiversity, employment of local people the Business in the Community Career opportunities, Energy and Responsible Business Awards Sustainability in the Experian Award for Building

2 Calculated using National TOMs - Social Value Framework.

10 The story so far Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 11

In 2017 Our Measuring our Parklife has delivered a Impact Social Value of 6 Measuring impact is important for nn Economic Impact Subjective wellbeing and value £3,511,116.49 any business, particularly for a Social The changes we make to the created through volunteering Enterprise like Our Parklife. Our economy (through our training and We calculate that over £2,133,000 activities are founded on a mission to employment programmes) of value has been created through improve the livelihoods and environment subjective wellbeing as part of our within communities in and around the nn Community Regeneration 68% of the current ENGIE volunteer programme4 and that over Park. Our Parklife creates impact for Impact £158,900 of value has been created people and place in different ways and is The changes we make to the wider through volunteering5. EFM workforce are from focussed on four key areas. These are: community During 2017 we continued to find new “I really enjoyed my first shift at the

nn Social Impact ways to help us measure the social customer information point. I met some local boroughs The changes we make to impact of our volunteer programme lovely team members and was made to people (through our training by creating a bi-annual survey for feel very welcome and a valued member and employment programmes, volunteers with questions directly of the crew! I spoke to lots of interesting Volunteering programme, Park Supported 24 Apprentices related to wellbeing and health visitors attending both the athletics Created Social Mobility and Customer Services and improvement. We also worked with and the Park, many from overseas and in Facilities Management, Mobile Garden City project) ENGIE’s Social Value team to develop first time visitors which was great. I felt Horticulture, Cleaning and Value of ways to effectively monitor the social nn Environmental Impact proud to be helping them enjoy their value that our programmes provide. Team Leading through The changes we make to the experience. I can’t wait until my next £161,717.16 ENGIE’s core methodology will align to environment (through our session next week.” Social Value Portal’s TOMs Framework3. employement of Conservation Volunteering All data collected was useful to Angela Daniels, Facilitated 8 School/ programme and Mobile Garden City understand the Social Impact Customer and Mobility Service volunteer 11 members of project) Education Visits of the CIC. staff previously

3 https://socialvalueportal.com/ 2018.6 6 Calculated using National TOMs - Social Value Framework. unemployed 4 158 volunteers have done over 20 hours in 2017 158 x £13,500 = £2,133,000. We consider a volunteer who has completed over 20 hours as a regular volunteer. 5 This is calculated by taking the total number of volunteer hours delivered (16,302) and multiplying it by the London Living Wage in 2017 (£9.75)

12 Measuring our impact Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 13 Supported 10 Inclusive unemployed workforce - 7% people into of the workforce work have a disability, Our Parklife Theory of Change 31% of the workforce are women and 61% of the workforce are from a BAME • Our Parklife Mission • Technical Capacity • Employment advice • Local people • People into • Increased and Objectives employed sustainable jobs effectiveness of background • Investment • Training and skills EFM contract • Priority Themes development • Volunteer days • Added value of • Experience volunteers • Increased local • Legacy Commitments • Service co-ordination • Previously ownership of the in the EFM Contract • Volunteer time unemployed • Improved skill Park • Education employed levels • Improved general • Services • Training sessions • Better wellbeing of local (e.g. Park Mobility provided environmental people Facilitated 26 weeks and Volunteering awareness • Education visits provided • Added value in of work placements, contract delivery creating a Social Value of £3,742.57

14 Measuring our impact Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 15

5 different Volunteering – volunteer roles Park Champions Investing in The Park Champion volunteer nn Supporting events Our volunteers had a fantastic day at programme is delivered by Our Parklife the Queen Elizabeth Park. I can certainly on behalf of the London Legacy nn Helping look after the wildlife, say on behalf of our volunteers, that this Volunteers Development Corporation and enables parklands and gardens on the Park was a very rewarding experience. It is people to participate in the legacy of the nn Providing information and help to also fantastic to hear about the plans to Accredited London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Park visitors, including delivering further transform this area. On behalf Games. the Park’s Customer and Mobility of our volunteers, I wanted to take this Services opportunity to thank you and your team Volunteers are involved in supporting for your support on the day. The day customer and mobility services, nn Supporting the venues including the would not have been as successful 750 Registered events on the Park and in its venues, London Stadium, Copper Box Arena without your help! I hope we have a conservation and gardening activities, and London Aquatics Centre chance to work together in the future. Volunteers school visits, career workshops and Thank you again. Principal much much more. nn Guiding visitors The team had a great time and it’s The programme promotes best practice Corporate Volunteering definitely given them the “Community volunteering and provides opportunities During 2017 we have seen a significant Service” bug. For some of them it to learn new skills, build confidence, increase in the number of businesses was the first time that they had done develop social networks and well- 48% local volunteering on the Park. In 2017 we anything like this! Thank you for your being; as well as empower a wide and welcomed over 260 volunteers from help in organising the day. King diverse group of visitors to get the most volunteers 10 different businesses. Collectively from the Park. With their enthusiasm, A more detailed report on our they cleared over 120 tonne bags of dedication and knowledge our Park volunteer programme is available green waste, improved over 1630m² on request. Champions have continued the spirit of parkland and provided a financial of the 2012 Games Makers. In 2017 contribution to Our Parklife. 16,300 hours of their time, volunteers gave up over 16,300 hours of the time across the programme in five creating £2,133,000 of value 37 trained main roles. These included: through subjective wellbeing team leaders

16 Volunteering – Park Champions Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 17 “I wanted to offer a huge thank you for helping deliver such a successful event. Over the course of the festival, we hosted 176 student teams and welcomed 25,000 visitors – including more than 4,000 school children and their teachers. It gave us a chance to engage with the public, and bring Energy Transition and Shell’s purpose to life, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “Over 5.5m people visited the Park last year, and it's great to None of that would have been know that the volunteering legacy of London 2012 continues possible though without all in the warm welcome and attentive service our visitors staff working at our festival, receive from the Park Champions.” including the Park Champions. Peter Tudor, Thank you all, once again” Director of Visitor Services, London Legacy Development Corporation Ivo Van Kampen, Production Adviser Events & Exhibitions Europe

18 Volunteering – Park Champions Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 19

Welcomed over Customer and 76,200 Park visitors Mobility Services

travelled by The Our Parklife team provides dedicated their visit or sharing their own stories and 10,200km Customer and Mobility Services from the local knowledge the team are the proud Park’s Information Point. Duty Managers and passionate face of the Park. This is our Park Mobility buggy are supported by a passionate team of widely recognised and both staff and volunteers who, in 2017, provided over volunteers receive constant praise from 8300 hours of their time – welcoming Park visitors. visitors both local and international to 428 Customer and the Park every day of the week. Their In March we led on the delivery of a extensive knowledge about the Park range of activities on the Park as part of Mobility Service exudes along with pride and enthusiasm Disabled Access Day, a national campaign Volunteers ensuring that all visitors get the most out to raise awareness of access issues of their visit. In 2017 the team supported faced by disabled people. The Park has over 76,200 visitors, which includes been designed to be as accessible and 73 volunteer trained visitors from all over the world, football inclusive as possible for a wide range of supporters, school trips, contractors, visitors, employees and future residents sighted guides those working on the Park, art and nature – our services underpin this. 8% increase use of lovers, Olympic legacy enthusiasts, Our Volunteers receive ‘Welcome All’ Over 6,770 visitors students and many more. They also Mobility Services disability awareness training as well as supported through supported over 50 events including Level 1 My Guide Sighted Guiding. our mobility service in the Summer concerts, Ride London & the World compared to 2016 Taekwondo Championships. We also provide uplifted Mobility Services for Park events and group visits. In 2017 Our team also delivers a range of tailored we catered for 13 uplifts this included: mobility services for Park partners and London Lions Basketball, National event organisers. In 2017 we provided Paralympic Day, Corporate show-rounds, these services to 10 groups, notably HRH Film shoots, A Royal visit, Private events 15% increase in Princess Anne and the CSC Leaders. at the ArcelorMittal Orbit and Here East, Customer Service users Whether it’s supporting an event, the Global Disability Innovation Summit compared to 2016 encouraging visitors to make the most of and Waterways Festival.

20 Customer and Mobility Services Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 21 “This was my second trip for Access Day and once again the Park has proved to be an outstanding venue. Fab organisation of tours and the volunteers are exceptional. Thank you” Nikki McLauchlan

"Thank you so much. This was a great tour and provided a wonderful opportunity for my 90 year old Mum and her 87 year old cousin to see the Park. They would not have been able to do this without this service. Everyone could not have been more friendly and helpful and really knowledgeable. Fantastic!”

Pauline Dickens

22 SectionCustomer and Mobility Services Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 23 Local Employment 68% local 31% 7% 61% and Training employment women disabled BAME

A key target for the Park is to ensure Our Parklife partners ENGIE and employment and one-to-one support. In that local communities benefit from idverde jointly employ approximately 2017 seven participants took part in the the exciting and diverse employment 200 people on the Park, and work hard ILM Programme, with four of these job opportunities that are available with to ensure that recruitment is focussed seekers part of the ACE (Able Capable a range of employers. Within the EFM locally. Our Parklife facilitates a range Employed) programme7. Participants contract on the Park the workforce is of employment programmes for local worked within ENGIE’s Soft Services focussed on providing the following people on the Park. The training and (Cleaning) and front of house catering services: employment support that is provided to teams. The programme has been the Park Champion Volunteers can often incredibly successful with participants Training 1. Engineering Services be the next step for volunteers who progressing into long term roles with Programmes ILM & 2. Visitor Attraction Management are keen to gain experience in certain ENGIE. Apprenticeships (ArcelorMittal Orbit) industries. 3. Catering and events (The Last Drop Intermediate Labour Market and ArcelorMittal Orbit) “It’s gone really well. It’s given (ILM) two people the chance of their 4. Security The Intermediate Labour Market first waged job and helped all programme is a six month programme four grow in their confidence. The 5. Grounds maintenance and developed specifically for Queen opportunity has helped them all landscaping Elizabeth Olympic Park. This getting into a routine, to get up and 6. Helpdesk operation and programme provides employability have something to do. I have seen management support via a unique pathway which a change in all the guys, including provides training, CV and interview an increased confidence, sense of 7. Cleaning services guidance, site visits, work tasters, paid pride, becoming more financially independent, learning new skills and increased energy levels.”

Lorraine Rose, 7 ACE - Able Capable & Employed is led by Groundwork London in partnership with: Business in The Community, HCT Group, Genesis Housing Association, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Mencap, Peter Employment Advisor, Groundwork London Bedford Housing Association, Balance, The London Borough of Islington, and The Tower Project.

24 Local Employment and Training Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 25

Apprenticeships Bespoke Training and Employment opportunity for Park Champions to enhance the customer experience 7% of the The apprenticeships available on the programmes with the Tower Project prior to games by assisting visitors Park through Our Parklife Partners Tower Project and Our Parklife have and providing information around the ENGIE and idverde are aimed at local been collaborating since 2015, offering workforce have Stadium. This role was so effective West young people and school leavers as well six-week volunteering programmes, Ham United decided to develop it into as existing staff. Our Parklife involves where students with special educational a disability a paid ‘Supporter Liaison Officer’ Role its partners in understanding where needs from local schools have joined with 14 Park Champions progressing apprenticeships can be embedded in the our Customer Service team for one or into paid work. employment and training opportunities two days a week. Students learn about on the Park and maximise on the unique the Park’s Mobility Services, and what Supported 24 Apprentices opportunity to progress elsewhere it is to become a volunteer, giving them “The Park Champions within the company and industry. realistic work experience across a range in Facilities Management, of roles, notably Customer Services. were a fantastic addition Internships and work to the fan experience Horticulture, Cleaning and experience placements “Over the course of the 6 weeks placement, students worked towards at a crucial time when Team Leading Our Parklife hosted students on an Entry Level 3 accredited training the Club first moved to placements ranging from 2-6 weeks in Customer Service, learnt about as part of their full time studies and the Park’s diverse facilities, activities London Stadium. The team 55 accredited training qualifications delivered focussing on a range of different topics. and events and the range of careers were always proactive, Local students spent their placement available on the Park, from visitor personable and happy supporting the volunteer programme, services to security, engineering, educational events and learning about to help supporters with 62% of the workforce are from cleaning and grounds maintenance. 8 different aspects of the Park. A greater number of volunteers with directional information a BAME background Special Educational Needs are now and assistance across the Loughborough University London enrolling on the programme and being Park. It was a pleasure to of the With a campus on the Park, supported by the team.” 31% Loughborough University London’s work with such a friendly workforce Supported 24 students are an exciting new community Graham Smithers, Head of Services, group of people.” to arrive in East London. In 2017 we Tower Project, Job Enterprise and are women Apprentices worked with the students including Training Service (JET) in Facilities promoting the Park Champion Jake Heath, programme, arranging bespoke West Ham United Football Club Supporter Services Manager, West 68% of the workforce Management, volunteer opportunities, developing Our Parklife worked with West Ham Ham United Football Club promotional films for the London Lions United Football Club during the 2016/17 live locally Horticulture, Basketball Club, and supporting Phd season to develop a bespoke volunteer Cleaning and students in their research. role. The club identified a unique 8 British. Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (used to refer to members of non-white communities in the UK) Team Leading

26 Local Employment and Training Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 27 “ When you’re helping people and make their day, it makes you go home feeling good about yourself. It’s nice to interact with the fans and put smiles on their faces before they go into the ground. I love football so it’s enjoyable to have a laugh and joke with the fans, I really enjoy it.” Mark Orton, Park Champion Volunteer and Supporter Liaison Officer.

28 Local Employment and Training Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 29 Educational visits careers workshops & work experience

We want to inspire, raise aspirations and Education Visits session and take part in seasonal raise educational attainment amongst conservation activities (varies depending Focussing on two bespoke topics. Our school children and local groups. The on the time of year) Parklife partners ENGIE and idverde Park is a fantastic place to explore and have delivered a range of visits for our education visits provide a unique schools and special interest groups. Energy and Sustainability learning experience for students of (Key Stage 3) all ages. Through these activities We provided 11 tailored education This visit begins the in the Park’s Visitor students are encouraged to explore and careers visits for schools. These Centre at Kings Yard, the heart of the the spectacular parklands, hear from engaging and dynamic sessions have Park’s sustainable energy centre. After experts who work on the Park and engaged over 100 children and young an introduction to energy production discover all that the Park has to offer. people and brought to life topics such on the Park students will head onto the as renewable and decentralised energy Our Parklife coordinates a range Park for a wider tour introducing them systems, the Park’s sustainability story, of educational activities with local to the sustainability story. careers opportunities in FM and a range educational institutions. These include of other environmental topics.They cover the schools on or directly next to the the following areas: “Thank you to your team Park as well as the newly established university campuses. Most notably for a really engaging and Conservation and Biodiversity these include Loughborough University interesting tour and talk (Key Stages 1 and 2) London, University College London around the Olympic Park. and Newham College. Students can Students can explore the Parklands by Our students had a really take part in short action-packed visits, completing a Biodiversity Treasure trail, longer workshops & day long experience discover wetland habitats and ponds good time.” placements. through a supervised pond dipping Dr Andy Clegg,

30 Educational visits careers workshops & work experience Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 31 Careers Visits and DEC! “I just wanted to drop a note to say how “What an interesting (Design Engineer Construct!) brilliant yesterday’s session was, and a and informative session Levels 1-3 big thank you to all your colleagues who took time out of their busy schedules to delivered by a captivating Our Parklife organised four careers spend the whole time with the group”. speaker! The session was visits with local schools and colleges Lesley Margiotta, London Region which explored the world of Facilities Administrator, Prospects London eye-opening and taught Management (FM) and career Ambitions me so much that I was opportunities on the Park. Students unaware of with regards were set ‘real life’ scenarios in three of Work Experience Placements the Park’s iconic venues to work through to dementia.” with the support of ENGIE staff from In 2017, 13 students completed work Joel Brittain, Apprenticeship to Senior management experience with ENGIE on the Park. Facilities Management Apprentice, levels. Students gained experience in the Facilities Management contract ENGIE These were part of the Design Engineer including cleaning, security, engineering, Construct! (DEC!) programme. DEC! is visitor services and events and applied an accredited learning programme for what they learnt to their courses, secondary-school age students and including Design Engineer Construct has been expertly developed to create (DEC), Events Management and Travel and inspire the next generation of Built and Tourism. Environment professionals. Our Parklife works with the LLDC to ensure that FM Coordinating and delivery of is fully understood by DEC! students and training programmes integrated into their projects. Our Parklife also coordinates and “Thanks again for today’s tour it was a delivers a range of training opportunities great introduction for the students and for ENGIE staff on the EFM contract. In gave them a really good start to their 2017 these included: sustainable construction assessments. nn Disability Awareness Training I will definitely recommend you to our delivering schools and really look nn Deaf Awareness Training forward to working with you in the future.” Julia Brunning, SME Design, nn Dementia Awareness training Engineer, Construct.

32 Educational visits careers workshops & work experience Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 33 7 Different businesses Mobile Garden City have Mobile Garden City is a partnership hands dirty and engage with others classroom environment and have volunteered project between Our Parklife, in their local neighbourhood. Each benefited in a number of ways from Groundwork London, LLDC and other month the garden is host to a range their time in the garden. on the third parties. It was developed to of workshops, events, volunteering create an active community use for opportunities and ways to engage in The garden has delivered a trial Garden pre-development sites on or near food growing. These workshops are Market Garden - working with the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park designed for people who want to learn volunteers to grow to use and grow and was commissioned as part of simple new gardening skills or who to sell produce. Fruit and Vegetables Over 4300 people the Growing Links programme which would like to start volunteering. have been sold and delivered, using a focussed on establishing an active market garden trike, to local residents, growing scene local to the Park. Located just over the road from restaurants and food outlets. Chobham Academy the garden has engaged since Most of the garden users are local It was ‘Highly Commended’ by provided volunteer and learning residents, the majority of whom do not the Landscape Institute for its sessions to alternative timetable the garden have access to a garden or growing achievements and as a project students. These students benefit from space. Mobile Garden City provides designed for temporary landscapes. opened in 2015 them with a chance to get their time in the garden out of a formal

Over 50 volunteers received training in food growing and horticulturetraining courses delivered in Gardening and Food Growing

34 Mobile Garden City Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 35 “ The garden is my church, my sanctuary. Every single day I’m astounded by something to do with nature. And also I’ve worked with all different types of groups mental or physical disability and I see the difference when they come. You can feel it physically yourself, but also see it in other people. You know when you walk and you’re tight and tense. Your shoulders tend to go up and I’ve made appoint of noticing as soon as people come through the gates in any space like this how amazingly how people suddenly relax.”

Jess Damidot, local resident and garden user

36 SectionMobile Garden City Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 37 Consulting with our Stakeholders

Over the course of our third full year of stake in the way the service and the volunteering, topics they’d like more operation Our Parklife has continued Park develops. As volunteers, we information on and issues that are to engage with a growing number of are encouraged to share our ideas important to them. stakeholders on the Park. The services and experience. This can range from we deliver continue to be designed and informal chats with the Duty Manager, Representation at local forums delivered closely with our client, the about how to improve and expand and panels LLDC. Aligning with our core mission the service, right through to talking and purpose, and to ensure our with the managers about the plans of The Park Panel consultation activities are embedded in the Park the Park. Also, when we suggest an (led by LLDC) and benefit local people, we consult idea that is not possible to do, we are The Park Champion volunteers are with our stakeholders in a variety of told why. The staff are interested in a key stakeholder group and are ways. These include the following our ideas and suggestions and I feel represented on the Park Panel. This groups and methods: valued for that.” Simeon Earnshaw, group is composed of representatives Park Champion Volunteer from local organisations, interest Volunteers groups and businesses and Existing and prospective provide feedback on a range of We have 780 volunteers and 2000 employees issues associated with the Park’s people on our mailing list who development. The Park Panel have registered an interest in Our Parklife supports a range of representative acts as a conduit receiving updates from us about employers through various services for issues that concern the Park our volunteering activities. For the outlined in section 6. Key employee Champions as well as feeding back second year we completed an annual engagement events such as Town from the LLDC. volunteer survey with 540 responses Hall Forums with ENGIE. A Town Hall collected, helping us further shape and event was held in December 2017 and develop the programme. integrated audience polls throughout the session allowing employees to “I really enjoy volunteering for Park vote and provide feedback on a range Champions as I feel that I have a of issues such as Apprenticeships,

38 Consulting with our Stakeholders Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 39 The Park Engagement Group (led by LLDC) Our Parklife continues to attend and input into monthly Park Engagement group meetings where operators, developers, organisations, institutions and local authority representatives with a Community development remit meet to discuss their activities, share ideas and collaborate on projects

Hackney Wick and Fish Island Cultural Interest Group (HWFI CIG) Our Parklife attends monthly meetings hosted by the HWFI CIG – a local interest group representing the diverse interests of the Hackney Wick and Fish Island Community. Being a key local group directly adjacent to the Park it represents a key community that Our Parklife has an interest in serving.

40 Consulting with our Stakeholders Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 41 Collaboration and partnership working with Park stakeholders

During 2017 Our Parklife collaborated interesting and challenging and created Involvement in London 2017 with a range of Park stakeholders the opportunity for Park Champions and Runners programme to ensure that it’s programmes and Canal & River Trust volunteers to overlap Since June 2016, the Our Parklife team services were meeting their needs and and share their knowledge of the local was part of the London 2017 World the needs of local communities and area. Athletics Championships steering group, volunteers. Our Parklife was involved in that helped set up the Runner volunteer the development of the following groups Development of Community programme. It enabled Our Parklife to and volunteer roles: Guiding role promote the London 2017 opportunities Community Guides were trained to Establishment of Friends to Park Champions at appropriate deliver guided walks around the Park times and understand what roles were of Bow Back Rivers – for local groups including Loughborough needed. Many Park Champions were Collaboration with the Canal University Students, the ArcelorMittal volunteer interviewers during the winter and River trust – Waterways Orbit new starters and Chobham Manor and over 140 Park Champions were festival, guides and friends of residents. A total of 320 volunteer hours acting as Runners during the World Bow Back Rivers have been devoted to training and the ParaAthletics and IAAF World Athletics Our Parklife worked closely with Canal delivery of this service in the first year during the Summer of 2017. The Park & River Trust to create the Friends of of its operation. Feedback has been was buzzing and Park Champions and Bow Back Rivers group. This involved overwhelmingly positive, with incredibly Runners alike did a great job working training volunteers to deliver the high satisfaction scores on every walk. together to answer all the queries ‘Heritage walks’ around newly reopened Community Guides have been wonderful generated by visitors at this world-class Carpenters Road Lock and assisting at shaping the role and absorbing an event. the East London Waterways Festival. incredible amount of information on the The volunteer roles on offer were Park.

42 Collaboration and partnership working with Park stakeholders Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 43 Key partnerships with Park Champions were flexible, adapting Champions to assist their crew and Partners themselves to the situation, providing event organisers. From Go Tri Triathlons, feedback, that allowed the LS185 and Swimming galas, the 2017 Swimathon West Ham United Our Parklife team to act swiftly and to the Ultimate Aqua Splash Summer offer an even better experience at the activity, Park Champions have had As they moved into London Stadium, next concert. LS185 and the Our Parklife opportunities to see behind the scenes West Ham United identified a unique team trained over 10 Park Champions of all sorts of interesting events. opportunity for volunteers to enhance who became Stadium Team Leaders the customer experience prior to the because of the concerts. Loughborough University London games. The Park Champions’ assistance Loughborough University London and made a real difference to the customers’ Here East Our Parklife have worked together for experience, and as a result of this over a year to promote the benefits of successful pilot programme, West Ham Park Champions had the great volunteering to students and make them United decided to take on an internal opportunity to volunteer for the 64 feel part of the Park by becoming Park team of Supporters Liaison Officers. bits event that took place at Here East in March/April 2017. The role was Champions. Fourteen Park Champions have been exciting not only because of the events’ In 2017, this resulted in Our Parklife employed by West Ham United on a content that promoted technology and creating a bespoke role for the media casual basis to assist their customers innovation but also because volunteers students in partnership with the London during the home games. The Park really felt part of the team, meeting with Lions Basketball team. The students’ Champion role had a real impact on both the artist and working closely with the interviewed the London Lions players, the club and volunteers, with individuals Here East team. gaining experience in video editing, and West Ham United continuing to as well as receiving great exposure to praise the Park Champions who are part London Lions Basketball Club working at events. of their SLO team. As part of ENGIE’s sponsorship, Our Parklife has provided volunteers to the LS185 London Lions Basketball Club for all LS185 offered a unique opportunity to home games for the past two seasons. Park Champions to volunteer during the The roles ranged from driving the 4 concerts hosted in the Stadium. Park mobility buggy, being a VIP assistant, Champions gave up over 1,000 hours assisting at the box office or selling of their time to enhance the customers’ programmes and being a game experience. photographer. It was not only an exciting opportunity for the team but also a useful role that GLL had an incredible impact on the day. The London Aquatics Centre has Throughout all 4 concerts the Park identified many opportunities for Park

44 Collaboration and partnership working with Park stakeholders Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 45 Methods of consultation Within our Annual Feedback survey, we asked volunteers if their involvement as a Park Champion has improved their wellbeing. Their responses are shown below: Annual feedback survey results from our volunteers Question: Has the Park champion programme improved your wellbeing? The Annual Feedback Survey completed by Park Champions show that Percentage of Volunteers No Negative who stated a positive overall change volunteering on the Park has helped improvement in wellbeing change build their confidence, gain new skills Doing something worthwhile and experience, meet new people and 77% 22% 1% for 11% it has even motivated them to Being in a natural environment 68% 31% 1% get back into employment. Socialising 62% 37% 1% Over 90% of the Park Champions claim Physical Health 41% 58% 1% to be satisfied with the recruitment Confidence & Skills 48% 51% 1% process, training provided, the tasks General Happiness 67% 32% 1% they take on, the management they receive and the service they provide, as well as the recognition and rewards Over 60% of the volunteers claim that team and each other. We also attend a they get. The following table shows joining the Park Champion programme range of careers days, volunteer fairs the varying motivations that drive our has improved their overall well-being, and consultation events held by other volunteers. whilst 39% claim that there was no park partners. overall change. Our volunteers actively shape the programme that we deliver. Social Media “We came here today to This was reflected in our Investing in Our Parklife continues to promote its reminisce. We first visited Volunteers Assessment which showed activities and achievements on it’s during the Olympics and that our volunteers recognise that we website, through social media channels place great value on their ideas, views such as Twitter and Instagram. wanted to see what had and opinions. happened. Our tour of Visitor Feedback Events the Park exceeded all The team running our customer and Throughout the year we organise and our expectations. We mobility services receive regular attend a range of events that help us feedback about the Park and its found the commentary engage with local stakeholders. As activities and events. Our team receives informative and the Park part of the volunteer programme we regular feedback about our mobility beautiful. It was nice to organise a range of get-togethers services which ensures that visitors can that provide the volunteers with the access the entire Park. see how well the Park is” opportunity to meet the Our Parklife

46 Section Our Parklife Annual Report 2017 47 Ourparklife.co.uk @OurParklifeCIC