Two local parents have relaunched the friends group in a Palmers Green park, linked up with a nationwide litter-picking campaign and are looking for local people to take part in a project to bring Enfield's natural and built heritage to life for schoolchildren and families.
“Friends of Hazelwood Rec is back up and running! The Friends group is now being led by two local Hazelwood School parents, Polly Turton and Emma Wright.
“We are a (very) small volunteer group focused on making the Rec a place that everyone can enjoy.”
Since the Friends of Hazelwood Rec were revived earlier this year, they have succeeded in persuading the council to repair the noticeboard in Hazelwood Recreation Ground - it had been in a bad state of repair and was covered in graffiti - and have registered with CleanUp UK as a Community Clean Up Hub. Enfield Council has agreed to let them use the sports pavilion in the Rec to store litter picking equipment.
The Friends held their first community litter pick on 24th May and there are two more scheduled, on Sundays 21st June and 19th July, between 10am and 11am. The June litter pick will be the official launch of the community clean up hub and will be attended by local MP Bambos Charalambous and Palmers Green councillor Doug Taylor.
Volunteer with the EnLab project
The friends group's ambitions go far beyond litter picking. They have also signed up to become part of the borough-wide EnLab project, described by Enfield Council as an “ambitious heritage education initiative for primary schools and local heritage organisations” and designed to “ignite curiosity in local history and the environment”. In addition to £240,000 provided by the Lottery Heritage Fund, the project is being funded by the RSA Trust (£12,000), the Enfield Society (£10,000) and Enfield Council (£8,000).
There are a variety of roles available with varying levels of time commitment. Activities you could get involved with include:
- Helping with school workshops and developing engaging resources.
- Supporting heritage and community events.
- Organising family activities, creative crafts and activities in parks. Plus many more! No experience is necessary as all training will be provided.
For more information, see the two ads below. The first relates to volunteering roles throughout the borough, the second is specific to the Hazelwood Rec project. For more information, contact chloe.chandler©enfield.gov.uk.
Volunteer with the EnLab project!
Enfield is a vibrant borough with a rich and exciting history of invention, innovation and intrigue. The EnLab project is bringing Enfield's natural and built heritage to life for school children and families across the borough and we need your help!
Make a difference to children and young people in your local community and beyond.
We are looking for people aged 18+ who have an interest in heritage, local history, community and/ or green spaces. People who are enthusiastic, reliable and keen to get involved!
VOLUNTEER ROLES
We have a variety of roles available with varying levels of time commitment. Activities you could get involved with include:
- Helping with school workshops and developing engaging resources.
- Supporting heritage and community events.
- Organising family activities, creative crafts and activities in parks. Plus many more! No experience is necessary as all training will be provided.
LOCATION
We have locations across Enfield and will aim to partner you where you would most like to work
WHAT WILL YOU GAIN?
- Hands-on experience in educational, environmental or community projects.
- New skills, training & confidence.
- Build experience for career development.
- A friendly & supportive team and a chance to give back!
Interested? If you'd like to hear more about the project and to discuss the volunteer opportunities available please get in touch.
EnLab project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and delivered by Enfield Council, with additional funding from the RSA Trust, the Enfield Society, and Enfield council.
We are currently recruiting Family Activity Coordinator Volunteers
Are you interested to to organise and facilitate family sessions in Hazelwood Rec?
Would you like to gain experience in working with families and children in with a heritage focus?
Work alongside the Friends of Hazelwood Rec to develop and deliver family heritage activities in the park.
What will you gain?
- Hands-on experience in an educational, heritage & environmental community project.
- A chance to make a difference in your local community.
- Develop new skills, attend training & build confidence.
- Gain experience for career development.
- Travel expenses will be covered.
- Social & enrichment activities with opportunities to connect with the wider volunteer team.
Interested? If you'd like to hear more about the project and to discuss the volunteer opportunities available please get in touch. Email: chloe.chandler©enfield.gov.uk
EnLab project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and delivered by Enfield Council, with additional funding from the RSA Trust, the Enfield Society, and Enfield council.
Links
Friends of Hazelwood Rec on Instagram
Friends of Hazelwood Rec on Facebook
Council awarded £240,000 to launch heritage and education project (Enfield Council website 5 June 2025)
Enfield Council wins £240k lottery cash ‘to reconnect young people with rich local heritage’ (Enfield Dispatch 6 June 2025)
