Volunteer Hub
Hedgelaying volunteer
Organisation Details
Dunham Massey, National Trust
Activity type: Environment and Gardening, Practical Work and DIY, Sports and Outdoor Activities
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Description of role: *PLEASE NOTE - Volunteering is not available every day of the week - opportunities and time commitments will vary throughout the year. I have selected every week day because time commitments are yet to be confirmed.
Volunteering as part of a small team, hedgelaying volunteers work with the Dunham rangers to manage hedgerows across the wider Dunham Massey estate.
Volunteers will help lay and maintain hedges for the benefit of tenants and wildlife, creating wildlife corridors, new habitat and stockproof boundaries.
By getting involved, you could…
· Learn a traditional countryside craft.
· Gain skills in the use of specialist handtools and the implementation of conservation techniques.
· Work closely with a small team of rangers and fellow volunteers. Meet new people who share your passion for the outdoors.
· Explore Dunham Massey wider estate.
· Carry out invaluable work to create and conserve habitat.
You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves (including lighthouses, villages, pubs and a gold mine!). We are a unique charity welcoming millions of people each year and with a vision to open up places for the benefit of everyone, forever.
What’s involved?
· Learning a traditional craft from experienced countryside professionals.
· Working with the ranger team to manage hedgerows across Dunham Massey estate.
· Sharing and developing skills within a small team environment.
· Collaborating with volunteers from other National Trust properties on larger hedgelaying projects.
· Exploring areas of the Dunham Massey estate not usually accessible to the public.
· Engaging with visitors to the wider estate to share your knowledge of conservation and your passion for the outdoors.
· Supporting local farmers and landowners to improve habitat on their land.
We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:
· Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment and reasonable adjustments to carry out this role effectively and safely.
· Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
· Have remote access to support, news and rotas via our volunteer website
This role will suit you if you are …
· Interested in learning new practical skills. No prior experience of hedgelaying is necessary.
· Someone who enjoys working with others and sharing knowledge and skills.
· Someone who likes the idea of learning a specialist craft.
· Happy working outdoors in different weather conditions.
· Happy with a flexible volunteering role which may require varying time commitments throughout the year.
· Passionate about the outdoors and nature.
· Keen to explore and have new experiences.
All National Trust volunteers will be asked to
· Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us
· Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training
· Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity
Additional Information
We have up to 20 voluntary positions available for this role.
We hope to have the group established by September 2024 and will begin by running some taster/refresher sessions during that month. If you are unsure about the role, please still get in contact, come to one of the taster sessions and see if it’s for you.
If you have prior hedgelaying experience that is great and will be beneficial to the group, but please be aware that initially we will need to refresh the basics to ensure everyone is confident and safe.
This role will be based entirely on Dunham Massey wider estate and will require volunteers to travel to different work sites across the estate.
If you are interested in this role please contact Lloyd Ross: Lloyd.Ross@nationaltrust.org.uk
Volunteering as part of a small team, hedgelaying volunteers work with the Dunham rangers to manage hedgerows across the wider Dunham Massey estate.
Volunteers will help lay and maintain hedges for the benefit of tenants and wildlife, creating wildlife corridors, new habitat and stockproof boundaries.
By getting involved, you could…
· Learn a traditional countryside craft.
· Gain skills in the use of specialist handtools and the implementation of conservation techniques.
· Work closely with a small team of rangers and fellow volunteers. Meet new people who share your passion for the outdoors.
· Explore Dunham Massey wider estate.
· Carry out invaluable work to create and conserve habitat.
You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves (including lighthouses, villages, pubs and a gold mine!). We are a unique charity welcoming millions of people each year and with a vision to open up places for the benefit of everyone, forever.
What’s involved?
· Learning a traditional craft from experienced countryside professionals.
· Working with the ranger team to manage hedgerows across Dunham Massey estate.
· Sharing and developing skills within a small team environment.
· Collaborating with volunteers from other National Trust properties on larger hedgelaying projects.
· Exploring areas of the Dunham Massey estate not usually accessible to the public.
· Engaging with visitors to the wider estate to share your knowledge of conservation and your passion for the outdoors.
· Supporting local farmers and landowners to improve habitat on their land.
We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:
· Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment and reasonable adjustments to carry out this role effectively and safely.
· Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
· Have remote access to support, news and rotas via our volunteer website
This role will suit you if you are …
· Interested in learning new practical skills. No prior experience of hedgelaying is necessary.
· Someone who enjoys working with others and sharing knowledge and skills.
· Someone who likes the idea of learning a specialist craft.
· Happy working outdoors in different weather conditions.
· Happy with a flexible volunteering role which may require varying time commitments throughout the year.
· Passionate about the outdoors and nature.
· Keen to explore and have new experiences.
All National Trust volunteers will be asked to
· Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us
· Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training
· Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity
Additional Information
We have up to 20 voluntary positions available for this role.
We hope to have the group established by September 2024 and will begin by running some taster/refresher sessions during that month. If you are unsure about the role, please still get in contact, come to one of the taster sessions and see if it’s for you.
If you have prior hedgelaying experience that is great and will be beneficial to the group, but please be aware that initially we will need to refresh the basics to ensure everyone is confident and safe.
This role will be based entirely on Dunham Massey wider estate and will require volunteers to travel to different work sites across the estate.
If you are interested in this role please contact Lloyd Ross: Lloyd.Ross@nationaltrust.org.uk
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Creative Skills, Practical Skills, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday AM, Monday PM, Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday AM, Wednesday PM, Thursday AM, Thursday PM, Friday AM
DBS required: Off
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: n/a - time commitment will vary
Location:
National Trust, Dunham Massey
Altrincham
WA14 4SJ