Speaker: CAROLYN CLARK, EXECUTIVE CHAIR FRIENDS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDENS, FOBS
What was the key driver behind developing a new Volunteer Centre at the Gardens?
CAROLYN CLARK: Uh, the Friends of the Botanical Gardens are a really busy, vibrant volunteer organisation. We have over 500 members and we have about 150 people who regularly volunteer in the gardens on a weekly basis, um, and we've been volunteering for over 40 years. Um, the, the volunteers, um, work in many areas, um, but obviously the main bulk are are actually in the gardens, er, gardening. Um The education centre was becoming increasingly busy and um and didn't have any free space for volunteers, and the volunteers had nowhere. That they could call their own, that they could make a cup of tea and coffee, wash their hands, um, so they had nowhere to go after after actually volunteering in the gardens. Um, the education centre was full, the greenhouse is a is a big space but full of muddy equipment, tables full of plants. There was nowhere to sit, so we had very poor facilities. Um, we were very gratefully left a, um, a legacy which gave us a lump of money, some funds, um, and was a perfect opportunity to, um, Push this uh dream forward, this, this vision for a volunteer centre. Um, so we needed a social meeting space where volunteers could call their own and and show how much volunteers were valued.
How would you describe the process of working with TF Jackson?
CAROLYN CLARK: TF Jackson's were an excellent company to work with. Um, I have nothing but positive recommendations in answer to this question. right from the start, when we first visited the site, they were extremely helpful, welcoming, um, showed us around um many potential options, you know, and explained. Um, all the different, um, possibilities and potentials that would work for us in providing a volunteer centre. Um, they were always very clear in their communications. They always answered any questions promptly, succinctly. We've never felt pressurised. They were always supportive and understanding. They were very patient in the fact that we are a grade 2 listed site and with many stakeholders and it and it was a difficult process from our side to get agreements in place to have um a volunteer centre in the botanical gardens, but Jackson's were were were incredibly patient with us.
What difference has the new building made for volunteers so far?
CAROLYN CLARK: The volunteer centre has been a great success. It's very popular and already is really well used. Um people stay longer in the gardens after volunteering. This is very much a social space. They do feel they can have their lunch there. They can wash their hands in hot water, which is a joy, um, free refreshments are provided, um, and so they feel much more valued and feel they have a space, they can just go and sit and relax. Um, it's improved communication because we have notice boards in there, um, we can get feedback from the volunteers, we can hold informal meetings in there. We have a record number of volunteers coming forward to help the friends and ensure that the botanical gardens um. Continues to be a really beautiful and special green space in Sheffield, and I'm sure the volunteer centre is a part of a part of that. Um, we are the envy now, I think of many friends, friends groups.
Any favourite feature or moment during the project you’d like to share?
CAROLYN CLARK: Oh, many features. I think one of the main features, which is incredible, in the last 3 years when the cost of living um has been going up and prices going up everywhere, I'm just to make Jackson's never increased the price once in the 3 years that we kept them waiting. I'm In all, really, and and so grateful to them. um their original quote always stood and um so that that is amazing. Thank you. And also the craning in of the building, that that was a momentous symbolic moment and a great sense of achievement for all of us, all the stakeholders involved.
