Practical Conservation Volunteering - (Thursday) for Countryside & Rights of Way Service

Welwyn Hatfield Community And Voluntary Services Limited; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local community service in Stevenage is seeking Practical Conservation Volunteers to create and restore wildlife habitats. Volunteers will work outdoors improving access to the countryside with activities including habitat management and construction work. This is a long-term commitment opportunity suitable for individuals aged 14 and over, providing valuable training and experience without the need for prior skills. Flexible participation is welcome, making it an excellent chance to engage in meaningful conservation efforts.

Benefits

Training provided

Opportunity to learn new skills

Community engagement experience

Qualifications

• No prior experience required as training will be provided.
• Ability to participate regularly or occasionally on scheduled days.
• Must be at least 14 years old and accompanied by an adult if under 16.

Responsibilities

• Create and restore wildlife habitats.
• Improve access to the countryside.
• Participate in habitat management and construction work.

Skills

Animal Welfare

Environment & Sustainability

Gardening & Horticulture

Health and Wellbeing

Social Activities

Wildlife & Conservation

Job description

Prerequisites

Before you can register your interest for this opportunity you must be registered as a volunteer. Register with the Volunteer Centre, or if you have already registered, please log in.

Practical Conservation Volunteers create and restore wildlife habitats and work to improve access to the countryside. Our Thursday group undertakes a wide range of activities in numerous parks and woodlands in the North Hertfordshire District, as well as improving Rights of Way access. Task days usually run from 10am-3pm.

Opportunity Details

• Opportunity Type: Long‑term Commitment
• District: North Herts, Stevenage
• Location: Outdoor
• Time of day: Weekday Mornings, Weekday Afternoons

Practical Considerations

CRoW is hosted and funded in part by Hertfordshire County Council, and further funded by the majority of Hertfordshire’s District and Borough Councils. An induction will be given to all volunteers providing them with all the introductory information they will need to begin their role. For example, who their main contact will be, health & safety information, tools required and any training they can expect. More details can be found in the Role Description.

People under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult on voluntary activities. Those between 16 and 18 may attend activities unaccompanied with the written consent of their parent or guardian.

The needs of vulnerable adults will be treated on a case‑by‑case basis. It is likely that we will require vulnerable adults to be accompanied by a carer until the carer, on agreement with CRoW staff, deems it no longer necessary. This agreement will be confirmed in writing.

Our full Volunteer Policy, including information on Insurance, and Health and Safety, is available to all prospective new volunteers.

Suitable For

• 14–15 years old with accompanied adult
• 16–17 year olds
• 18–25 year olds
• Aged 26 and over
• School students, university students, families, older people, rehabilitation friendly

Volunteer Interests

• Animal Welfare
• Environment & Sustainability
• Gardening & Horticulture
• Health and Wellbeing
• Social Activities
• Voluntary & Community Action
• Wildlife & Conservation

Wheelchair Access

No

Download Full Role Description

Full Description:

Practical Conservation Volunteers create and restore wildlife habitats and work to improve access to the countryside. In the winter months tasks tend to involve habitat management, including hedge planting, coppice work, improving ponds or scrub clearance. In the summer months, construction work such as building a path or gate would be a more likely activity. Although activities generally run from 10am-3.30pm, you can attend for part of the day only, provided you arrange your own transport. You can choose to join us every week or occasionally to fit in with when we are working in your local area. Experience isn't necessary as training is provided.

The midweek groups carry out tasks in numerous parks and woodlands around Hertfordshire as well as the Rights of Way network, with each group covering a different area of the county on specific days of the week:

• Tuesdays – East Herts
• Wednesdays – South & West Herts
• Thursdays – North Herts
• Fridays – South & West Herts

Along with the physical, mental and social benefits of being part of a practical and friendly community of volunteers, participants have the opportunity to learn and develop a variety of skills in environmental management and outdoor construction.