Thank you for volunteering to be a
National Garden Scheme Ambassador
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to carry out your new
volunteer role. The guide is in two sections, so you can easily find what
you’re looking for.
• Part 1: Slides 3-4 provide you with information about what to expect
and how to prepare for your new volunteer role
• Part 2: Slides 5-9 provide you with information about our partnership
with the National Garden Scheme
Part 1: Preparing for your role
Thank you for becoming a National Garden Scheme Ambassador.
Click here to see your role description.
The first step is completing two induction modules, written by
volunteers for volunteers. Not everything will be relevant to your specific
role, but the quizzes, videos and various scenarios should help you.
1.Module 1: What is Parkinson’s?
2.Module 2: How does Parkinson’s UK support people?
It’s unlikely garden visitors will quiz you, but it’s great to have some
background knowledge so you feel confident talking about Parkinson’s or
about Parkinson’s UK as a charity.
We recommend you use the links above, but if you'd rather read a single
PDF document, you can download a volunteer induction handbook here.
What to expect next
Your main contact at Parkinson’s UK is
Ian Savage, Corporate Relationships Manager
T 0207 963 9368 • M 07817 832784
E [email protected]
Ian will support you by:
• Putting you in touch with your garden owner who’ll meet you at the
garden opening on the day.
• Together, the three of you will agree what you’ll do on the day, from
helping serve tea and cake, to pointing visitors in the right direction.
• Sending you a t-shirt to wear on the day.
• There won’t be Parkinson’s UK staff at the garden opening on the
day, but Ian will be available on the phone in case you need any help
Part 2: The National Garden Scheme
One of the most significant charitable funders of nursing charities in the
country, they’ve donated over £50 million since 1927.
Each year, volunteer garden owners open 3,700 gardens to the public to
raise money from entry fees, tea and cake.
We’re proud to be one of their beneficiary charities. You can find out more
at parkinsons.org.uk/ngs
Our partnership history
2013 Parkinson’s UK became a guest of the National Garden Scheme
who donated £200,000* to our nurse campaign
*Includes matched funding from The Monument Trust.
2014 Our guest status was extended and they
donated £150,000 towards nursing
2015 Our guest status was extended again as
they donated £172,000 towards nursing
2016 Parkinson’s UK became a permanent beneficiary
and the scheme donated £100,000 to nursing
2017 We celebrate 5 years in partnership and 90 years
of the National Garden Scheme as they donate
£150,000 to our Excellence Network.
How has this helped Parkinson’s UK?
The National Garden Scheme helped fund our nurse campaign.
By 2015, 85% of people with Parkinson's had a nurse.
Thanks to their 2016 donation, 2 new nurses are transforming
the lives of up to 600 people with Parkinson’s in Manchester.
How will they help in the future?
Every Parkinson’s patient has different symptoms, so as well as nurses, help
from lots of different professionals, like Speech Therapists, is vital.
But 87% don’t get this from the NHS.
That’s why Parkinson’s UK created
The Excellence Network .
You can find out more about it here.
From 2017, the National Garden Scheme
will help fund our new network, building on
the nursing service with a new legacy of
holistic care, tailored to each individual
person with Parkinson’s.
Thank
you
for
volunteering
with
us.
Thank you
We hope this guide has helped you to understand more about your role, the
National Garden Scheme and Parkinson’s UK.
Please don’t hesitate to provide us with any feedback, and we hope you
enjoy your volunteering experience.
Don’t forget,
we’re here to help.
Your main contact at Parkinson's UK is:
Ian Savage, Corporate Relationships Manager
T 0207 963 9368 • M 07817 832784
E [email protected]