THE ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS

The role of the Volunteer Coordinators is fundamental to the project. In the last newsletter we introduced the five, newly appointed, Volunteer Coordinators: Lucy Hand, Leslie Johansen-Salters, Patricia Shepherd, Caroline Palmer and Elizabeth Chalstrey. Each coordinator has been assigned a region, organised by county, for which they are responsible. They report directly to the Communications Coordinator and meet on a monthly basis with the Project Manager and Communications Coordinator. In their roles, the Volunteer Coordinators will serve as a main point of contact for volunteers in their region and provide communications support for the development team based at The King’s Manor in York. Having specialised local representatives for the project is vital, as the coordinators will also strive to provide a connection between the efforts of volunteers within County Gardens Trusts as well as other organisations, such as National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies, within their regions.

The Volunteer Coordinators have already begun to establish connections with the various organisations within their regions and are meeting with interested groups to explain the history and progress of the project thus far and how to become involved. They have already been proactive in providing feedback from meetings and relaying any questions or concerns that individuals within organisations may have to the core team in York. The Volunteer Coordinators are also working toward identifying Information Coordinators within each organisation to serve as a main point of contact. Please note that anyone who is not involved with a County Gardens Trust or organisation, but would like to be involved with the project, should please contact their Volunteer Coordinator directly, or contact the core team in York. Contact names and addresses are provided below.

Over the next few months, the Volunteer Coordinators will be working hard on recruiting and registering volunteers, identifying areas where skills and training are needed and organising training workshops for volunteers who will be researching and recording sites for the project. The coordinators are also working with the Communications Coordinator in the development of a Training Manual, which will provide detailed materials and tools related to the project as well as guidance on how to research and record sites.

The Volunteer Coordinators themselves have a great understanding of and are highly qualified in Garden History. They are extremely dedicated to the project, willing to contribute their knowledge and expertise, and are therefore of great value to the future of the project.

LIZ CHALSTREY echalstreyATwaitrose.com
Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire,
Isle of Wight, Somerset, Surrey and Wiltshire

LUCY HAND loocyhATyahoo.com
Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, London, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.

LESLIE JOHANSEN-SALTERS ljs124ATyork.ac.uk
Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Northumbria, Nottinghamshire,
Shropshire, Yorkshire, Staffordshire

CAROLINE PALMER caroline-palmerATtiscali.co.uk
Welsh Historic Gardens Trust

PATRICIA SHEPHERD pmshepherdATaol.com
Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hereford & Worcester, Kent,Leicestershire & Rutland, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Sussex.