Vicki Baker (a Community Development Programme Officer from OCVA) recently went to Flo’s – The Place in the Park, where the Connected Community Fund has helped, here is Vicki’s write-up detailing her experience:

Having not visited before, on arriving at Flo’s in Oxford I felt quite overwhelmed (in a good way!) by the warmth that I felt from the place – walking around I thought “this is what being cared for as part of a community feels like”.

I was visiting to go along to a Nature Explorers session – an intergenerational group where preschoolers and their grown-ups learn about a different theme in the natural world, enjoying stories, crafts and games.  A series of these sessions had received support from the Connected Communities Fund.  A meeting earlier in the day meant that travelling across the city for the start of the session might prove tricky so I arrived at the opening time of the café and attended my meeting online from the covered decking.  It proved the perfect spot!

By the time my team meeting finished the café was buzzing and I had just enough time to grab a drink and a late breakfast pastry before heading to meet with Makena, Communities Manager.  Makena gave me a quick tour and explained the themes of Flo’s – Food | Family | Nature.

We made our way over to the NatureEscape garden – the site of a disused miniature golf course now being transformed into a safe space for young children to explore.  Here I met families and volunteers enjoying the outdoors and activities led by Flo’s Community and Family Worker.

Makena went on to show me some of the work that the weekend gardening group had achieved including a brick path and woven edging and teepees for climbing plants.

As it was a Monday I was in luck – a delicious pay-as-you-can meal before I hopped on the bus to continue my working day from home.

Flo’s currently have a number of staff and trustee roles available, to find out how you could get involved in this very special place visit

https://www.flosoxford.org.uk/work-with-us/

And if you’re looking for some summer fun with under-5s take a look at their summer programme

https://www.flosoxford.org.uk/events/#toggle-id-2