About Us

Friends of Firs Farm – Est 2014

Registered Charity 177069

Friends of Firs Farm is a group of friendly volunteers with a common goal of improving Firs Farm.

Founded in August 2013 by Toni Guiver with the support of Gail Nielen and Geraldine Cosh. We set about talking to friends and neighbours to identify what we were looking for from our underused  local green space, Firs Farm.

We quickly found a number of interested local residents and began the process of how we would bring in more members and formalise the group.  So began the process in which we hand posted more than 1200 letters to local residents, registered members, worked with the council to engage with the local residents as part of their flood relief scheme and our improvements project, elected our first committee of officers, wrote our constitution, signed an agreement with the local authority  as a recognised formal Friends group in 2014.

Our first public consultation with local residents and Enfield council was held in Firs Farm 1st October 2014

Since then we have continued to listen to park users existing and new, reviewing against the Friends plans and objectives.

We work tirelessly to ensure that Firs Farm is a space for all in the community not just the few.

Community volunteers working together to help shape how our park works, is maintained, & protected for public benefit for all the community.

The overall objectives of the Friends, which are charitable and for the benefit of the inclusive public, is to preserve, improve, maintain, protect & promote, Firs Farm for the benefit of ALL for present and future generations.

‘In essence we bring the community together for events, interests, and sporting / other in/outdoor activities, as well as providing Volunteer opportunities, reduce loneliness and encourage healthier lifestyles.’

The Friends work in partnership with the London Borough of Enfield (‘Council’) in spirit of co-operation in accordance with the Parks Friends Agreement with a view to:

Fundraise to achieve the following objectives:

1. 1. Improve Firs Farm to meet the needs of users through community engagement which includes local residents, existing and potential new park users, community groups, schools, parents, people with Autism or Dementia, and carers, wheelchair/buggy users, young mums, young people, local business e.g. local care in the community providers, local hospices, Over 50s, and local sports clubs and other groups

1. 1. Determining the future development of the Park;
   2. Considering the Park’s impact on its local environment and vice versa.
   3. Enhance Biodiversity including wildlife habitats
   4. Improve Access and Facilities for All – ensuring that Firs Farm is the ‘Go To’ place to bring our inclusive community together for recreation, education (bringing the classroom outdoors), conservation, biodiversity, wildlife, and sports for all.
   5. Promote activities and facilities in Firs Farm to encourage people to come together outside, discourage social isolation, ‘Get Active’ which in turn may improve health and reduce obesity, isolation, and also give our young people something to do in Enfield in a safe and convenient location

From Underused  space 2014                                     To …… 2017

Firs Farm Wetlands