BOSF Annual Conference 2024: A Day to Remember

What an incredible day we had at the BOSF Annual Conference! From inspiring talks to hands-on workshops, we came together to celebrate the amazing efforts of Birmingham’s parks and open spaces volunteers. It was fantastic to see so many dedicated community members in one place, all working toward a greener and stronger city.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and made the day so special.

Thanks to Richard Vink, Interim Head of Parks, for keeping the dialogue open. We look forward to working together to protect parks and open spaces in Birmingham.

We want to give a special mention to Helen Harvey, our Volunteer Development Officer, for her incredible work over the years. Helen’s innovative projects have inspired countless communities to engage with their local parks, enhancing these spaces through volunteering. As Helen leaves her role at BOSF, we wish her all the best for the future; you will be greatly missed.

We were honored to have Dr. Lesley Batty from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, deliver a fascinating talk on “Enhancing Community Projects via Educational Partnerships.” Her insights into work-based learning, addressing inequalities, and linking research with civic engagement left us all inspired to strengthen our local communities further.

Attendees also had the chance to join in with outdoor activities, including a bird walk with Chris Millward (Team4Nature) and a canal walk with the Canal and River Trust. Indoors, we explored workshops on key topics affecting our parks and open spaces, such as The Right to Grow hosted by Chris & Chloe, and Biodiversity Net Gain hosted by Simon & Debbie Needle.

A massive thank you to all our member groups who attended and took part in our “Just A Minute” session. It was incredible to hear updates on the successes of volunteer groups across Birmingham – everything from exciting events and restoration projects to successful funding bids. It was a powerful reminder of the fantastic work happening in our parks and open spaces, driven by volunteers.

A great day was had by all, and none of it would have been possible without the amazing energy and commitment of Birmingham’s parks and open spaces community. Together, we are making a real difference.

If you’re feeling inspired to get involved or want to learn more about our work, check out our upcoming events, sign up to our newsletter or email [email protected] for more info.

Posted on 30th September 2024