Volunteering

Ways to help the Mendip Hills National Landscape

There are lots of ways you can get involved in looking after this beautiful area. You could help at our nature recovery tasks or apply to be a Volunteer Ranger and then get involved in a wide range of events and activities.

Our current volunteering opportunities are outlined below.

If there’s nothing suitable for you at the moment, why not sign up to our e-newsletter to hear about new volunteering opportunities and get other news about the National Landscape?

If you would like further details regarding volunteering please email Andy Chamberlain, Ranger Volunteer Coordinator, or phone 01761 462338.

Please note: we’ll be recruiting our next cohort of Volunteer Rangers in 2024.

National Landscape Nature Recovery Volunteers

Nature Recovery Volunteers meet regularly to carry out a wide range of tasks with the Mendip Hills National Landscape. Volunteers help conserve, enhance and maintain the special qualities of the National Landscape by assisting the National Landscape Service and Volunteer Ranger team with the practical management of nature reserves through varied management tasks.

Task days are led by a staff member or experienced Volunteer Ranger. Full training and health and safety will be provided for each task. You will be working as part of a fantastic team of volunteers of diverse backgrounds who come together to work towards enhancing the National Landscape.

These tasks are focused on preserving, protecting and enhancing the special qualities of the Mendip Hills National Landscape. They may include coppicing, scrub clearance, habitat management and general site maintenance. Sessions usually run every other Wednesday, 10am-3pm. We expect each volunteer to dress for the weather; wearing layers is the best way to be prepared. Wear something you don’t mind getting messy and stout footwear or wellies. We provide all tools, personal protection equipment such as gloves and hard hats and, of course biscuits.

To apply and for more information, click here.

National Landscape Volunteer Rangers

Volunteer Rangers act as ambassadors for the Mendip Hills National Landscape, representing the National Landscape Service across sites and in local communities and helping us manage the area’s special qualities. They provide a visible presence in the Mendip Hills National Landscape, to assist the National Landscape Service in conserving, enhancing and promoting the appropriate use and enjoyment of the area. Volunteer Rangers undertake site patrols and are involved in public events. They undertake a training programme to support them with this work.

Volunteer Rangers promote the National Landscape’s work and key messages to local communities and visitors in the area, providing helpful information for the local community and visitors. They will attend regular meetings, adhere to health and safety and undertake appropriate training as part of the training programme – this includes gaining key competencies.

 

 

National Landscape Dry Stone Volunteers

Dry stone walls form an intrinsic part of the Mendip landscape providing boundaries, shelter and important wildlife corridors. They require regular maintenance to keep them in viable condition. Our dry stone walling team are an important part of this vital process for the Mendip Hills.

The dry stone walling team work across the Mendip Hills, building and repairing dry stone walls to keep them in optimum condition for years to come. Our dry stone walling group is a small friendly team who all enjoy practicing this traditional countryside skill with great team work and a great atmosphere. They learn, practice and improve their skills in a countryside environment and gain satisfaction from seeing something you’ve either made or maintained living on into the future.

To become a full part of the team, you will be required to have training by the Dry Stone Walling Association. Peer to peer learning is an important part of this role as everyone shares skills, knowledge and best practice.

Corporate Volunteering

We offer a number of corporate volunteering opportunities to help develop communication skills, boost employee wellbeing, and improve team working.  For further details, please see here. If you would like to discuss a package, please contact Andy Chamberlain, Ranger Volunteer Coordinator.

Andy Chamberlain – Ranger Volunteer Co-ordinator

As a volunteer in our friendly group, your main point of contact will be Andy. Andy has a background in outdoor education and conservation making his role at the Mendip Hills National Landscape Team the perfect next step. He leads weekly sessions out on the landscape and prepares the activity plan for each group of our volunteers.

He grew up locally and has spent many years exploring Mendip, both over and underground. His vast knowledge of this incredible area surely cannot be beaten!

If you are thinking of joining our team he will be happy to talk you through what is involved, along with the skills and training you will need for your desired role. Please call on 01761 462 338 or send him an email.

Not sure whether to volunteer? Here’s some advice from a current member of the team:

“Finding some spare time on my hands, I wanted to do something worthwhile, something exciting, something I had never done before. Having been in an office all my working life, I decided the great outdoors was where I should go next. Just to see. I have always loved walking, and am passionate about living in Somerset, so the Mendip Hills National Landscape seemed a good place to start.

“My first foray into volunteering ended up being to help to build a dry stone wall on one of the reserves near Cheddar, the site of a Roman lead works. I prepared everything the day before, clothes, lunch, the all important flask of tea. I couldn’t believe my luck when the day dawned, the sun rising high in the sky, an absolute perfect summer’s day.

“The group were really welcoming, and I learned a lot that day; about dry stone walling, Roman ruins, teamwork and quite a bit about myself too. My career had tied me to a laptop for hours a day; I found I absolutely loved doing practical things, being outdoors, learning new skills, and I was just about passable at it. The group leaders were very knowledgeable about the site, which I didn’t even know existed, despite living in Somerset most of my adult life.

“So to anyone thinking about joining Mendip Hills National Landscape as a volunteer, I would say just do it!”
Fi, Mendip Hills Volunteer

Jonathan Taverner, work experience student, summer 2022

My 6 weeks upon the Mendip Hills with the National Landscape Service and the volunteers made a most memorable summer for me. The chance to become immersed and explore the captivating landscapes, spectacular views, wildlife and many extraordinary qualities of this area has been an absolute joy. I am extremely grateful for the guidance and mentorship of the National Landscape team who have given me such an excellent insight into the remarkable work that is being done by so many. It has been a great opportunity to meet some of the organizations, communities and individuals endeavouring to enhance and protect all that is precious, helping me to appreciate the challenges of accommodating such diverse interests and safeguard the National Landscapes continuing designation.

Whilst basking in, or more often sheltering from, the extraordinary heat of July and August I hope that I may have perhaps made a small contribution? Thank you to the Wednesday nature recovery and Thursday drystone wall volunteers for having me along and sharing so much. Being asked to join a nightfall Glow-worm survey around Westbury-sub-Mendip and the hospitality of the Wessex Cave Club are but only two of the many generous gestures that have made me feel welcome and a part of this unique place.

I am most appreciative for all the experience that I will take away with me. It will be invaluable to my final year of study at the Royal Agricultural University and far, far beyond.

Thank you again to this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and to everyone for having me to stay awhile.