Friends of Green Grosvenor Park remain dedicated to their community during lockdown

Friends of Green Grosvenor Park and Broughton Flood Group areBroughton-based community groups which aim to increase opportunities for children and families in the neighbourhood.

Run by community campaigners, Keri Muldoon and Lee Shannon, the Friends of Green Grosvenor Park organise events and activities to raise funds for the park and local projects. Their dedication to improving the lives and prospects of the people living in Lower Broughton earned them a nomination for the 2019 Springboard Heroes awards.

Motivated by the lack of activities available to local children, Keri set up a children’s drama club with Salford-based Up ‘Ere Productions using our Springboard grant funds.

Keri Muldoon said: “Last year’s drama club was a great hit. The children loved it so much, that they wanted to do it again. We were going to work with a professional singer and a dance teacher to run a free drama anddance class when the pandemic hit.

Keri continued, “The pandemic stopped all events and classes we had planned for the year. While it was disappointing for everyone involved, we decided that we would use our time in lockdown to help our community, however we could.

“Over the last few months, we have collected food parcels and care packs for vulnerable neighbours and helped sign people up for the Spirit of Salford network. Along with other volunteers, we also helped to deliver thousands of Easter eggs across Salford for local charity, The Bread and Butter Thing.”

Keri has found the time to volunteer while looking after her two children during lockdown, along with her other community commitments. As well as being a member of the Salix Home Customer Committee, she is also the chair of the Broughton Flood Group.

Friends of Green Grosvenor Park and the Broughton Flood Group havebig plans to help celebrate the lifting of lockdown.

Keri added: “Once it is safe to do so, we will plan a large outdoor event at the park. It would be great to help reunite the community after all these months being apart. We’re also going to reapply for funding to set up a film night for local kids.

“Broughton has been hit hard by coronavirus and even after the virus has gone, we think the neighbourhood is going to be suffering the effects for a long time.”

“We’re going to do whatever we can to help our community get through this.”

Voting for the third annual Springboard Heroes awards opens on Monday, 13 July.

The winner will be announced during Love Your Neighbourhood Week, which takes place from 17 – 21 August.