Our projects
Park Life Heavitree run a number of projects throughout the year to support people in our community.
For more information about what we are currently doing see below!
For any project related queries or to get involved please email our Project Coordinators: berni@parklifeheavitree.org.uk or caz@parklifeheavitree.org.uk
Lunch4Life
We run a bi-weekly project for the asylum seeking community in Exeter offering a welcoming space for them to cook together. Many of these people do not have the facilities to cook in the hotel where they are housed; Park Life was able to offer a space for them to come together and cook with fresh ingredients which can be taken back to their family and community.
Community Graffiti
We have partnered with local artist Scott Walker who has designed fabulous art works which were completed by many of the young people in our community - these graffiti boards are now in situ in our gardens behind the whale to be enjoyed by all.
Sewing projects
We have now run two community sewing projects facilitated by local artists using recycled fabrics to make a bag or a lavender bag. These have helped participants to develop new skills and friendships.
Support for the elderly
We run a weekly coffee morning facilitated by volunteers for our older generation. We also offer a bi-monthly memory cafe run by fabulous volunteers who bring in film footage, photos and artifacts as talking point for a discussion.
Events
Park Life has, for many years, run regular - and very popular - events for families across our community. Our Mothers Day giveaway, Easter Egg Hut, Pumpkin Carving, Christmas Carol singing and our big fun day in September - are just some examples of these events. We try to to keep these events free (or hugely subsidised) to be able to include as many people as possible.
Sporting activities
We partner with a number of community organisations to facilitate free or low cost sports events in the park. For example Junior ParkRun (Sundays 9am) and Freemoovement who offer free family sports activities in the summer months and a free weekly circuits class (Thursdays 6:30pm). Park Life sponsor Park Yoga - which runs from May-September and offers free weekly yoga classes. We also periodically run sports events in the park.
Community Engagement
Our cafe space has allowed us to encourage a wide range of community engagement conversations from a knitting club, drop in sessions with the local counsillor, space for unaccompanied asylum seekers to play games and develop their language skills, support for people caring for elderly relatives, working with the police to support young people and families and bringing together representatives from local groups and charities. All this is possible by offering a free space for people to come together.
