Our volunteer groups carry out interesting and varied conservation tasks throughout York and surrounding areas. This is a great chance to learn skills, make friends and enjoy being outdoors whilst carrying out practical work to help improve places for people and the environment.
How you could get involved
Practical Conservation Task Days
Join us to carry out practical conservation projects throughout York and the surrounding countryside. Our tasks vary with the seasons.
In winter we enjoy tree planting, woodland thinning/coppicing and hedge laying. In autumn and spring we often clear and create ponds, and in summer we are busy clearing invasive plant species from habitats and cutting/raking hay meadows. At any time of year we may carry out small scale construction tasks such as building or repairing footpaths, fences, boardwalks or footbridges.
We run volunteer sessions between 9am and 4pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the year and on the 2nd and 4th Sundays in each month. Transport from our office in York is provided, along with hot drinks and good company. No experience is required. Join in any session and start making a real difference to how you feel and help the environment! Contact the York office for more information or to register as a volunteer.
Hull Road Park Projects
Thursday Gardening Group – Volunteer on a Thursday 10am to 1pm in Hull Road Park, York to help add colour, vibrancy and interest to the park and to grow fruit and vegetables. Get a little active and do something for the community, try something new or rediscover an old interest in gardening and being outdoors.
Wild Fridays – Join our Friday sessions from 10am to 12.30pm for crafts and activities to learn about and help increase wildlife in the park.
Give as much time as you like, come every week or once a month we would love to meet you. Contact the office for more details.
Key Volunteers and Volunteer Officers
We offer opportunities to get more involved with TCV York by becoming a Key Volunteer or Volunteer Officer.
Key Volunteers provide valuable support to help us run our environmental and community projects. Although not a leadership or supervisory position Key Volunteers can expect the training and support needed to carry out the role, including access to OLLIE – our online training platform.
As a Volunteer Officer we ask that you commit 3-5 days a week for at least 6 months and in return you will receive training in many aspects of conservation work. This includes learning practical skills, gaining leadership experience and being trained in first aid, risk assessment and health & safety. Volunteer Officers play a key role in our organisation and have real responsibility and involvement in planning and executing practical volunteer tasks. This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable work experience if you are looking to secure a job in the environment sector.
Community Projects
We can support a range of projects involving young people and local communities with advice and information on getting started and funding. We work in partnership with many organisations such as Schools and Friends of Groups within the region – find out how we could work with your organisation by contacting TCV York.
Corporate Volunteers
We can provide opportunities for employees to contribute to their organisation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals whilst enjoying a day of outdoor conservation activities, networking and strengthening team bonds. This could be through a partnership agreement where TCV organises conservation activities for groups of employees in return for financial support for TCV’s charitable projects. Alternatively, individuals are always welcome to join any of our regular practical conservation tasks. We have worked with many businesses and organisations within the region – find out how we could work with your organisation by contacting TCV York.
Contact
TCV York,
Tang Hall Community Centre,
Fifth Avenue,
York,
YO31 0UG
Tel: 01904 414927
Email: york@theconservationvolunteers.org.uk
Website: https://www.theconservationvolunteers.org.uk/yorkshire/tcv-york/
Social: @TCVYork