Volunteering

Countrycare is committed to community involvement for adults and children to help raise awareness of ecological and conservation issues in the district. This is achieved by holding weekly conservation project days which are open to all, running research projects with our tree wardens and organising walks and events.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Countrycare. Since 1986, over 139,000 volunteer hours have been given to the service. This amounts to an enormous £863,000 worth of time.

How to volunteer with Countrycare

Countrycare organises a working party for volunteers every Thursday, occasional Tuesdays and occasional weekends. Contact our Countrycare team to talk to a member of staff for more information.

We also try to do occasional social days out including visits to other nature reserves and sites of interest. The last 2 summers we have given the volunteers a guided walk with a picnic. These highlighted how the sites are connected rather being seen in isolation.

Work locations

Countrycare works on sites throughout the Epping Forest district. Work is done on over 23 sites mostly owned by the district council, landowners and parish councils, 9 of which are local nature reserves. The sites are very varied including ancient woodland, flood meadows and even sites that were once waste ground have wildlife habitats created on them.

It is entirely up to you whether you come out every week, once a month or whenever you have a day free. There is no official membership. Everyone is welcome.

Getting to the site

For Thursday projects, there is a pick-up and return to a Central Line tube station in the Countrycare Landrover. Pick-up is at 9.30am and return is usually by 4.30pm. Many of our volunteers share cars and make their own way to the published meet point.

What do I need?

Countrycare projects are often messy so old clothes are the best option. If you have them, a waterproof jacket and over-trousers are very useful. Wellington boots or sturdy walking boots, preferably with steel toecaps, are also recommended.

Tea and biscuits are supplied 3 times a day, but you will need to bring your own lunch and any cold drinks you may want. All necessary tools and training and support are supplied that you need to complete the project.

Projects are not usually abandoned because of rain, which is why waterproofs are necessary, but if working conditions become unsafe the decision will be taken to stop working for the day.

Other activities

Each summer Countrycare gives the volunteers a break from the usual tasks and offers them a guided walk or similar with a picnic. In December we have an outdoor Christmas lunch following a morning’s work. There is also an opportunity to help participate in some of the special events Countrycare organises for school children and families.