Ideas and opportunities in Knowsley

Knowsley has some of the best parks and open spaces in the whole of Merseyside and it would not be possible to maintain the high standards we set for ourselves without the help of our Friends of Parks groups. This network of people are out and about in our parks doing everything from litter picking to managing conservation projects.

These groups can call on the support of the Council but also work independently and are able to bid for funding to make improvements or run events in their local park.

There are currently 15 ‘Friends of Parks’ groups operating across the Borough. In the last year alone, people have volunteered 29,342 hours to enhancing their local green spaces. Why not be part of that team?

Friends groups undertake activities in the following locations:

• Court Farm Woods Association
• Friends of Acornfield Plantation
• Friends of Bowring Park
• Friends of Court Hey Park
• Friends of Eaton Street Park
• Friends of Henley Park
• Friends of McGoldrick and Sawpit Parks
• Friends of Memorial Park
• Friends of Prescot and St Mary’s Churchyard
• Friends of Saxon Green and Charlotte Pagsy
• Friends of Stadt Moers Park
• Friends of Ten Acre Pits
• Friends of Webster Park
• Halewood Park Volunteers
• Littlewoods of Stockbridge Association

To find out more and to get involved in a Friends of the Parks Group, email michele.grey@knowsley.gov.uk.

School Governors play an important role in the leadership of local schools across Knowsley. This voluntary role is a great way to contribute to your local community, make a difference and improve the life chances of all children to ensure they have the very best educational opportunities.

We are looking for people whose expertise or life experience will contribute to the success of our schools, including business or professional skills, previous experience as a Governor, Trustee or other similar role, or experience of working with children and families.

You can find out more about becoming a school Governor here. 

Would you like to be part of the Gallery team by ensuring that visitors have a great experience engaging with exhibitions and finding out more about Knowsley’s cultural offer?

You can find out more about this opportunity and download an application form online.

If you’d like to find out more about the role, please email tina.ball@knowsley.gov.uk or call 0151 443 4936.

Shakespeare North Playhouse is an amazing new arts venue in Prescot and is looking for volunteers to join their team and help make an impact in the local community.

If you are interested, you can find out more on the Shakespeare North Playhouse website or email volunteer@shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk

The Knowsley Community Advisory Group (CAG) is a group of individuals who live and / or work in the Borough, represent a community or business group and/or have a specific interest in working with Merseyside Police and other partners.

This group comes together to discuss local issues which are important to them, and their community, often with the aim of improving the local environment and quality of life.

Typically, the CAG comes together every three months with in-person and online attendance available.

The Knowsley CAG is always looking to recruit new members to ensure the group is as representative as possible.

If you would like to know more, or wish to join the Knowsley CAG please get in touch with the Local Policing Community Team by emailing c.community.hub.1@merseyside.police.uk.

Knowsley’s Youth Cabinet is a group of local young people who come together to represent the views of young people aged 11-18 in Knowsley. They consider and discuss issues that are important to young people and link into a national network – the Youth Parliament – who meet MPs and local councillors, make speeches, hold events and try to ensure the voice of young people is heard by decision makers.

If you are a young person in Knowsley who wants to make a difference, get involved and have your voice heard then we would love to hear from you.

Please contact Helen on 0151 443 5323.

Knowsley Parent Carers Voice is a group of parents and carers of children with special education needs and disabilities in Knowsley.

Their aim is to work in partnership with Education, Social Care and Health and Wellbeing services to influence and develop quality services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities in Knowsley.

If you have child or children with additional needs, find out more about how you can use your experiences to help others in a similar situation.

Knowsley’s SEND Youth Voice Forums are a safe hub for young people with special educational needs and / or disabilities to meet and discuss their experiences and ideas.

For more information email Eleanor Patino eleanor.patino@knowsley.gov.uk.

Knowsley Older People’s Voice ensures that older people in Knowsley receive information about local services and support available for them. This group also ensures older people have their say and an opportunity to influence decisions in the local area.

If you would like to get involved or find out more please call 0151 449 3954.

KeyRing community networks help residents who have additional support needs to build independence and connect with others in their local area. They can support people to look after their physical and mental health, find a home or look after their current property better and can also assist with practical things like accessing and reading emails and finding groups or things to do in the local area.

To help KeyRing help residents in Knowsley they are looking for volunteers to run sessions for its members. You must be able to use IT equipment, be confident and reliable, have a good understanding of people’s needs and be a good listener.

If you are interested to find out more email Tracey.Lloyd@keyring.org or call her on 07415 216 628.

Help local people access activities and services to enhance their health & wellbeing and improve their quality of life.

Are you over 18 with a good knowledge of the local area and the services available? Are you friendly, a good listener and someone who can spare around 4 hours per week to help others in Knowsley who may be struggling?

Those volunteering to become Community Navigators will receive full induction and training, meet new people and develop your own skills too.

If you are interested to find out more, call Leanne on 07840 172440 or email admin@innovatevolunteering.co.uk.

Knowsley Council is looking for members of the public to join their Independent Education Panel – the group responsible for hearing educational appeals in cases where children may not have been assigned their first-choice school.

Experience in education or a similar role is not essential, but applicants must be able to deal with complex documentation, have good interpersonal skills and understand the need for confidentiality. In particular, the Council is looking to recruit more residents whose own children currently attend Knowsley schools.

For further information and details of how to apply please contact Committee Services on 0151 443 3500 or email andrew.bilsborrow@knowsley.gov.uk.

Local elections are usually held annually to give residents the opportunity to choose the individuals they want to represent them and their wishes in their local area. Running an election is a huge undertaking and as a result, each year there are opportunities for local people to support. These are paid roles and provide a great opportunity to gain experience and skills. In return you help to contribute to local democracy.

Opportunities are advertised annually but please contact Tom Baker, Elections, Members and Civic Services Manager, on 0151 443 3604 or by email on tom.baker@knowsley.gov.uk for further information.

The Learning Disability Partnership Board is a partnership between community members, health and social care representatives and other partners. The aim of the board is to ensure that people with learning disabilities, their families and carers are involved in decision making in Knowsley.

Find out more about the group.

The Autism Service Development Group aims to ensure that views of adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions and their families can have a say in the future planning of services and support. Anyone with a sensory disability, carers or anyone interested in supporting adults with autism can get involved.

Find out more about the group.

Livv continually strive to put the customer voice at the heart of their decisions and the way they deliver services. If you live in a Livv property there are two ways you can get more involved:

 Join the Quality and Improvement Panel 

The Panel is a group of Livv customers who work with Livv to help inform, improve, and scrutinise services, leading to improvements in the customer experience for all Livv customers.

Sign up to Livv’s customer voice

 By signing up to Livv’s customer voice group you’ll be emailed regular surveys asking for your feedback about the services they deliver. Every time you complete a survey you’ll be entered in to a prize draw.

For more information contact Jamie Sowler at customervoice@livvhousinggroup.com or on 0151 290 7000.

YVYC supports adults with complex needs and aims to improve the lives of people living with autism, a disability or learning disability.

If you view all people as equals, are reliable and caring with good listening and social skills, then you could volunteer to support YVYC. You must have a good sense of humour and an optimistic approach to life.

An understanding or knowledge of autism or disability would be good but is not essential.

You can find out more about their work by visiting www.yourvoiceyourchoice.co.uk.

If you are interested to volunteer contact Jenny Day by email at jenny.day@yourvoiceyourchoice.co.uk or call 07793534549.