Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s Countryside Team are welcoming more volunteers to join the ranks.
The Countryside Team are responsible for a variety of locations across the borough including:
- Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park, Normanby;
- Errington Wood, New Marske;
- Foxrush Community Woodland,
- Redcar; Kirkleatham Wood, Redcar;
- Guisborough Branch Walkway, Pinchinthorpe;
- Riftswood and Hazelgrove Saltburn.
The role of the Countryside Volunteer is to assist the Countryside Ranger in a variety of outdoor conservation and woodland management tasks, including (but not limited to) tree planting, vegetation removal, digging, pond work, grass cutting, fencing and step repairs, footpath work.
The Countryside Volunteers range in age from 16 to 80+. If you wish to volunteer, please take a look at the volunteer description below and complete the expression of interest form.
Volunteering opportunities
Our Countryside Team are always looking for new volunteers to join them. If you or your volunteer group would like to work with us, please take a look at the current volunteering opportunities below.
Community Allotment Volunteer
We are looking for volunteers/groups to help improve sustainability of our community allotments by helping to build compost areas, create rainwater collection systems and to plant hedges or help to establish community allotment areas (polytunnels, raised beds, wedding etc)
Volunteer Countryside Wardens (surveys/inspections)
The role: To support the access team by inspecting rural footpaths and carrying out surveys to help monitor the condition of the public rights of way network.
Requirements: Fit and healthy with an interest in walking/ countryside access. Good navigation/ map reading and recording skills (or willingness to learn). What you can expect from us: A warm welcome to our team, training and support as needed. A rewarding role helping us improve access to the countryside.
What we would expect from you: Positive support. A willingness the partake in training and to follow health and safety requirements. A minimum commitment of 1 day per month.
Countryside Access Volunteers (Practical)
The role: To support our Access Rangers in a variety of tasks to maintain our 280km of public footpaths and bridleways. A great opportunity to work outdoors with a dedicated team to explore our local countryside, meet new people and learn new skills.
Requirements: The work can be physical demanding and involve some walking and lifting so a good, general level of health and fitness is essential. Day tasks will be outdoors in a variety of weather. No experience is required but an interest in access, team working and skills such as gardening, joinery and DIY would be useful. Volunteers must be willing/ able to drive to a variety of meet location across the borough.
What you can expect from us: Volunteers will be provided with tools and training. Our aim will be to give you a varied and enjoyable experience as a valued member of our team. What we would expect from you: A regular commitment 1-4 days per month. Enthusiasm and positive ‘can do’ attitude.
Woodland Improvement Volunteers (Redcar, Loftus or Grangetown)
The role: To support the site ranger to deliver a variety of woodland management work including tree thinning, managing invasive species, planting, access work and much more. A great opportunity to work outdoors on a variety of tasks and to explore our local countryside, and to meet new people and learn new skills
Requirements: Day tasks will be outdoors in a variety of weather. No experience is required, and anyone is welcome. The tasks will be led by a Ranger. A willingness to work as part of team and follow health and safety protocol is essential Tasks will take place on regular day each month 10am-2.30pm.
What you can expect from us: Volunteers will be provided with tools and training. Our aim will be to give you a varied and enjoyable experience as a valued member of our team. What we would expect from you: A regular commitment of 1 day per month. An enthusiastic and positive ‘can do’ attitude.
If you would like to find out more about the above volunteering opportunities please contact naomi.green@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk, please complete an Expression of Interest form specifying the volunteering role/opportunities you are interested in.