Conservation Volunteer Group

Wildside Conservation Volunteers carry out a range of environmental conservation work in their own time to help improve the local environment.
The group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

If you would like to volunteer (or refer a volunteer), please contact us on the email or phone number on the back page. We will arrange to meet you and show you the Centre. You need to be physically fit and able to do outdoor work. Please bear in mind that there may be a waiting list for places as we need to make sure the group is properly supported.

The Conservation Volunteers undertake hands-on work outside improving habitats or creating better environmental spaces. This provides practical abilities for the work place and develops team work and other personal skills. Many of our volunteers are long-term unemployed while some are retired, in part-time employment or students. The team is led by the Conservation Project Leader who is practically experienced and professionally qualified in environmental management. We have a Support Worker, currently funded by the European Social Fund and the Learning and Skills Agency, whose role is to support volunteers especially in the return to work.

Projects have included building ponds for schools, canal bank renovation, tree planting and coppicing, or building fencing and seating. A number of our volunteers have regained confidence and  progressed to employment through their experience with us. 

If you are a school or community organisation, involving Wildside Volunteers with one of your projects brings several advantages. As well as gaining an experienced, willing and able work-force at a cost-effective price, you will also be supporting a local charity. By using our group of volunteers – with its own tools, insurance and supervision – you will also be able to provide evidence of community involvement in your project (a common requirement for many forms of funding) without the trouble of recruiting and leading your own team.

Health & Safety

Wildside Volunteers are an independent, long-established group which has insurance to cover its activities. Details of insurance cover are available from Wildside Activity Centre, as are relevant Risk Assessments. First Aid cover is always provided, as is supervision to ensure that all tools are used safely. 

Safeguarding

Wildside Activity Centre has a Child Protection Policy and a Vulnerable Adults Policy in line with the City Council’s safeguarding procedures. Although volunteers are not generally expected to work with children, they may come into contact with them during their time at the Centre or when working on school sites.
For this reason, we require that volunteers undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check as appropriate for offsite work.

Environmental Issues 

Wildside Activity Centre works in accordance with its own Environmental Policy. To further this aim, we actively promote sustainability issues.

How to Book Wildside Volunteers

Anyone wishing to discuss their project, or wanting to book Wildside Volunteers, should contact our Conservation Project Leader in the first instance (contact details are below). Where appropriate, we will arrange a meeting on site, prepare plans and submit proposals and quotations.
Although the volunteers themselves donate their time and efforts, staff involvement is required to provide supervision, training and First Aid cover. We also need to cover the costs of insurance and transport as well as the purchase, maintenance and storage of tools and materials, along with various other costs. For these reasons, a charge is made for the work of Wildside Volunteers. However, this charge is usually well below commercial rates, and volunteer involvement often helps to meet funding criteria (such as community involvement).

Testimonials

“…Wildside Volunteers worked quickly and efficiently and carefully.”

“The children at Woodfield have been very fortunate to have our woodland path developed by the Wildside Volunteers……Many thanks for all of your hard work. It is very much appreciated.”

“We were impressed with each aspect of the work”

“Keep up the good work, Wolverhampton needs you!”

“….definitely a worthwhile experience”

Contact Us

Tel: 01902 754612

Email: volunteering@wildsideac.co.uk
facebook.com/wildsideactivitycentre