This role provides a link between the reserve manager and the college staff and students. You will meet the reserve manager to discuss the plan for the weekly college session. Then attend the session to support the staff and young people, work with them and offer guidance. The college staff are responsible for the young people during the sessions.  

The range of work includes general weeding & vegetation management, coppicing willow growth, creating woven structures, and litter picking. All this will require the use of hand tools, whilst paying particular attention to the safety of the participants and visitors to the site, and also the quality of the work. Some basic gardening knowledge/interest, as well as enthusiasm for working outdoors with young people, would be an advantage. 

Currently the sessions last approximately 60 minutes weekly, during term times. Some extra time will be needed each week to discuss the work plan with the reserves manager.  

No specialist conservation management skills are required however you will need to: 

• Have a moderate/good level of fitness 
• Be prepared to act as a delegated leader under the direction of the reserve manager. 
• Follow instructions – for your safety and everyone else’s.  
• Have a degree of patience and a pragmatic approach to work with what can be challenging group. 
• Work with the group’s supervisors to keep the group active. 
• A willingness to learn new skills and gain new experiences.   

• ​​​Help protect your local environment 
• ​Feel more connected to nature 
• ​Creating opportunities for young people to develop. 
• ​Gain valuable experience for future employment prospects 
• ​Meet new people and work as part of a wider team 
• ​Learn new skills and about habitat management 
• ​Improved fitness, health and wellbeing 
• ​A full induction and demonstration of safe use of tools and habitat care 
• ​First aid training will be available for people willing to take on leadership responsibilities. 
• ​Introduction to The Trust’s H&S and risk management procedures.​​ 

​​​We ask all volunteer to attend as regularly as they can for their chosen session(s) and let the reserve manager know when they can and cannot attend. This helps with planning tasks and the tools & equipment need. 

​You will need to make your own way to the Idle Valley base.  

​ ​Although the work is voluntary, it takes place under the Trust’s own Health & Safety system, just as employed staff do. Working to these expectations is a requirement.​ 

Two satisfactory references will be required for this role. 

The role will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check.