Volunteering

Volunteering During Coronavirus

In line with the agreed Peak District National Park policy on volunteering we are keeping our volunteering offer under regular review.

We are following the government’s guidance on covid-19 precautions.

We are:

-  Volunteering in small groups, mostly outside;
-  Continuing volunteering at home where possible;
-  Asking volunteers only to participate if you are comfortable to do so;
-  Minimising face to face volunteer training and workshops - changing to online if possible;
-  Reviewing risk assessments;
-  Delivering low risk and high need activities.

Our primary concerns are for the health and wellbeing of all of our staff, volunteers and the public with whom we work.

If you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the SWPLP team by clicking here.

Our risk assessments are available on Better Impact, and any updates will be sent out via email to our registered volunteers. Please head over and read those documents or contact your project officer for more information.

Log in to view the documents here.

Volunteer Network Development
As we are now in the final year of our current programme of work, we have been taking stock and planning ahead.  To help us review our volunteering and put in place some practical opportunities for the future, in 2021 we worked with three very experienced professionals in the world of volunteer management and strategy - Laura Elson, Laura Hamilton and Rob Jackson.  The consultants have completed their work and provided a very detailed report.  We will summarise their findings and make this available here soon.

While some of our projects have now come to a close, others are continuing for the next few months.  The information below will soon be updated, but if you would like to know more you can contact any member of the team by emailing SWP@peakdistrict.gov.uk 

Whether you're interested in cultural heritage or natural heritage or working with people or wading birds; we've got a project for you! We are looking for folks of all skill levels and availability. If you have the time to volunteer regularly that's great! But if you want to only volunteer for specific events as they come up we'd love to have you as well. We appreciate the time folks give to our projects and are grateful for the support; as such we want to be as flexible as we can.

If you're a current volunteer you can log in to our volunteer site here.

If you'd like to learn more about volunteering please sign up and let us know your interests. We will ask you to provide us with the names and email addresses of two referees (people who have known you for two years or more but aren't related), it's good practice and we only ask them three simple questions about you.

Once you've registered we can find just the right fit for you. Below are some examples of some current volunteer opportunities we have on offer: Click on the titles to view the specifics about each role.

Beyond the Classroom

Do you love working with kids and helping them learn about all that the great outdoors has to offer? Sign-up to become a Beyond the Classroom volunteer and work with Jackie Wragg, our Youth Engagement Officer to help inspire the next generation outdoor advocates.

Cultural Heritage Survey

The South West Peak offers a rich cultural tradition that our Barns & Buildings and Small Heritage Adoption projects are trying to record and preserve for future generations to enjoy. You will have the opportunity to attend training in Level 1 Building and Landscape Survey offered by our Cultural Heritage Officer; Dr. Catherine Parker-Heath and then you can go out and help record these important resources for posterity.

Interpretation Volunteer

Are you passionate about the South West Peak and all it has to offer, but want to explore lots of different projects and areas? Becoming an Interpretation Volunteer may be the role for you! You can come and assist South West Peak staff and the Communications & Interpretation Officer; Andy Tetlow, in spreading the message of the Partnership at walks, talks and events. Training in interpretation and guided walks will be provided.

Meadow Monitor

The grasslands and meadows of the South West Peak are some of our most photogenic areas; but they also play an essential role in the health of the other plants and animals that call these beautiful fields home. Training will be provided by our Glorious Grasslands Officer; Dr. Ann Cantrell, so that you can undertake botanical surveys of haymeadows and pastures. This is a great role for those interested in learning more about grasses, flowers and fungi and the important roles they play.

Mosaic Champion

The South West Peak is looking for folks to work with our Mosaic project; which has a goal of ensuring everyone feels comfortable and welcome in the great outdoors. Mosaic Champions will receive training in everything from outdoor navigation to interpretation for guided walks and will help serve as an ambassador for the South West Peak to underrepresented groups from surrounding communities. Interested individuals will be working with Helen Betts (Vocational Training Officer) and with Andy Tetlow (Communications & Interpretation Officer).

Oral History and Video Editor

In support of the Peak Land Lives project and for the Partnership as a whole we are seeking additional volunteers with experience in audio and/or video editing or those who would like to gain experience in this area.

As part of the book produced through this project (The Land That Made Us - the Peak District Farmer's Story) many audio files were collected with the unique life stories of folks living across the South West Peak. Editing help is needed for this important archive and training will be provided. This role includes reimbursement for travel and would be an excellent addition to any CV for those pursuing a career in journalism, editing, writing, library studies, anthropology, sociology and many other fields. Click the above Oral History Editor link for the full role description.

In addition to the oral history editing role we are also looking for volunteers interested in editing together raw video into short 2-5 minute clips that encompass a wide range of topics. Training and equipment can be provided.

Wildchild Volunteer

Do you love helping kids experience the joy of the outdoors? Why not sign-up to assist in the delivery of the Wildchild environmental play activities? These events are for children aged between 6 months and 13 years old across a variety of green spaces within the South West Peak. Locations include: The Roaches, Macclesfield Forest, Gradbach, Lyme Park, Buxton Pavilion Gardens, and Longnor. You will be working with our Wildchild Officer, Natalie Hollamby.