Putting St Helier’s communities at the heart of its Open Space

During COVID-19, they have provided Sutton residents with a safe space to exercise, take some time out and stay connected with each other. 

Many of Sutton’s parks are already supported by Friends groups. Now Sutton Council is working with the community to create a Friends group for St Helier Open Space. 

Friends groups are a great way to meet neighbours, get involved in the community and help to improve these precious green spaces.

The Friends of St Helier Open Space group is being created as part of the Rosehill Area Renewal project. The new Friends group will play a key role in helping to identify improvements to St Helier Open Space. In early 2021, the Council will be inviting all users of St Helier Open Space to share their views on these potential improvements. 

Councillor Annie Moral, Chair of the St. Helier, The Wrythe and Wandle Valley Local Committee, said: 

“We are extremely proud of our reputation as a green borough and it is in no small part due to the fantastic work of our many Friends groups. Creating a Friends group for St Helier Open Space will help to ensure that the community is at the heart of improvements to this vital space.”

Anne Pearcey, Chairman of the Friends of Oaks Park, said:

“Being a Friend is very important to me. 

“We can be more involved in conservation, and particularly in Sutton, because it is such a green borough, we feel that it’s something we can really contribute to as residents. It’s something that supports the whole neighbourhood.”

Ray Leyden, Chairman of the Friends of Sutton Common Park, said:

“As a volunteer, you can put something back into the community and work with like-minded people.

“It's an opportunity to learn new skills and it always helps with the career path if you are looking for a job. As a bonus, you will be charged up with the additional ‘goodwill factor’.”

The first meeting of the Friends of St Helier Open Space group will be held online on Monday 7 December 2020. All those with an interest in the Open Space are welcome to join. For more information or to register for the meeting, please visit www.sutton.gov.uk/OpenSpace.

• Full interviews with Anne Pearcey, Chairman of the Friends of Oaks Park, and Ray Leyden, Chairman of the Friends of Sutton Common Park, are available.

• Photos of the Friends groups are also available on request - please email pressoffice@sutton.gov.uk.

• Details of Sutton’s parks and existing Friends groups can be found at www.sutton.gov.uk/parks. 

• For more information, email pressoffice@sutton.gov.uk.