Overview
Following the discovery of ash dieback in Arboretum in 2015, over 5,000 mature ash trees were subsequently felled. The Silk Wood Community Planting Project (SWCPP) is focussed on regenerating 5 hectares of previously ash dominated woodland. To do this, the project aims to bring together local community groups, schools, and other volunteers with the creation of Westonbirt’s very first community woodland.
Community Woodland Volunteers will play a key role in leading session delivery. Practical events, including ground clearance, tree planting, woodland management and monitoring will be attended by a diverse range of groups. This volunteer role will help run and supervise these activities alongside a member of Westonbirt staff, while creating a safe and welcoming environment for participants taking part in practical sessions.
When
Practical work on the ground is due to begin October 2023, and continue into 2025. Depending on the activity, sessions will consist of either a half-day or full-day, anytime between 9am – 5pm; dates and details will be confirmed in advance.
What’s Involved
- Supporting individual participants to enhance their experience.
- Being a positive role model for appropriate behaviour, use of equipment, health and safety.
- Helping staff to set up and close activities.
- Helping to deliver activities including, practical conservation, woodland management and ecological monitoring alongside a lead staff member.
- Encourage teamwork and problem solving.
- Supporting and maintaining health and safety practices.
- Attending regular work mornings to prepare resources and work with other volunteers.
- Working outdoors in all weathers and rough ground.
- Occasionally helping with administrative tasks (optional).
We’d like you to be…
- Enthusiastic, patient, friendly, positive, reliable, a good communicator, flexible and open-minded. We want you to provide support and supervision when working with both groups and individuals.
- Prepared to work in all weather conditions as this volunteer role will run through autumn and winter and will be out in the thick of Silk Wood where ground conditions are likely to be uneven and sometimes wet and muddy.
- Knowledge of trees, flora and woodland management would be useful - but these are things that can be learnt along the way…
We will…
- Provide new starter training and ongoing support, help and guidance.
- Not expect you to perform any physical care duties e.g., pushing a wheelchair.
- Provide training covering all aspects of the role.
- Provide tools and equipment with instruction, and personal protective equipment where needed; volunteers do not use chainsaws.
- Advise that terrain may be uneven, rough or muddy and you will be walking on and off paths in ALL weathers, therefore sturdy boots/shoes are needed.
- Provide induvial uniform and loan outdoor clothing for inclement weather.
- Give you an on-site radio for communication.
- Pay a contribution to the cost of volunteering travel.
- Help you to complete the required Disclosure and Barring System checks (DBS).
- Advise that large parts of the day are spent outdoors away from the main site facilities. We have a compost toilet at the Community Shelter.
- Advise that the minimum age for this role is 18 years.
To apply
Please send your initial expression of interest to us at the following link by 18/9/2023: https://public.forestryengland.uk/EOI/
- When asked for ‘Forest Name’ please select ‘Westonbirt’.
If you have any questions or cannot access the form, please get in touch with the volunteer office at volunteer.westonbirt@forestryengland.uk or by phoning 0300 067 4847.