Volunteer with us!

We’ve got lots of opportunities if you’ve got some spare time and would like to help us. Volunteering with us is a great way to learn new skills, meet like-minded people and help us deliver our conservation, community and education engagement projects.

If you’d like to sign up as a volunteer, please get in touch with the relevant project lead (listed below) who can answer any questions and tell you more about how to get involved.

Find our current volunteer vacancies below.

Volunteer with us!

We’ve got lots of opportunities if you’ve got some spare time and would like to help us. Volunteering with us is a great way to learn new skills, meet like-minded people and help us deliver our conservation, community and education engagement projects.

If you’d like to sign up as a volunteer, please get in touch with the relevant project lead (listed below) who can answer any questions and tell you more about how to get involved.

Find our current volunteer vacancies below.

Growing Volunteer

The Community Growing Project, based at Vine Road Recreation Ground, is a community garden run on organic and regenerative principles.  We are looking for volunteers to help with every day tasks, including weeding, watering, pruning, seed sowing and harvesting.  You do not need to have any gardening experience in order to volunteer, as all sessions will be led either by the Project Co-ordinator or an experienced lead volunteer.  There will be the opportunity to learn as you go, and the emphasis is on coming together with other members of the community to spend time outdoors and learn from each other in a relaxed and friendly environment. Our open session are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 – 12.
 
Volunteering with us means you will have the opportunity to attend free learning and training sessions run at the Growing Project, as well as volunteer social events.
 
This is a great role for anyone who would like to get involved in community food growing, whether you are experienced gardener, or would like to try something new.

Contact Nicky to find out more.

Duke of Edinburgh Support Volunteer

Barnes Common’s DofE program offers young people the opportunity to volunteer in practical hands-on conservation and environmental work across Barnes Common, Leg o’ Mutton Local Nature Reserve and Vine Road Park.

We aim to grow the program to include a wider group of students and in particular work with local secondary schools.

We are looking for volunteers with an interest in working with the next generation of David Attenboroughs, are enthusiastic about the environment, conservation and nature and don’t mind working outdoors in all weather, getting a bit mucky.

If that sounds like you, then please apply. Experience working with young people, of DofE, knowledge of conservation, working outdoors, using small hand tools and other equipment is a benefit, but not essential as full training is provided.

This role requires a DBS certificate, First Aid and Safeguarding (working with children) training, all of which we can provide.

We are hoping for a regular weekly commitment, although this is flexible.

To find out more about this volunteering role, contact Nicky.

Love Nature? Got a Bit of Spare Time? Want to Make a Difference? Come and join our team of local conservation volunteers! We’re looking for friendly, enthusiastic people of all ages and backgrounds who care about their community and the natural world. No experience needed, just your time and energy! Volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people, learn new skills, get some fresh air and exercise, and make a real impact in your local area. Interested? We’d love to hear from you! To find out more about upcoming sessions and how you can get involved, contact Will today.
We have an active and varied lifelong learning programme with volunteering opportunities for people with a range of interest and skills. We work all year round with children and adults, both weekdays and weekends. If you’d like to get involved, contact Paddy.

Skate Park Lead Volunteer  

A key element of the Vine Road Park redesign is the inclusion of a pump track. The local community has shown great interest in skateboarding and rollerblading and BCL wants to foster this growing community of skaters.

We need a lead volunteer, and any other interested volunteers who have some experience with skating and would like to work to grow a local skating community.

This role will include engaging the community in the project, aiding in the planning of skating events at Vine Road, such as ramp building, and the subsequent ramp use, brainstorming sessions for the design of the skate park, and general support for the ongoing pump track project.

To find out more, contact Jackie.

Vine Road Project Working Group Volunteer

As the Vine Road Project moves forward, BCL is looking to grow the Vine Road Project Working Group. This group provides the opportunity to be involved in the decision-making in the redesign of Vine Road Park, while also offering a helping hand when it comes to community outreach events and fundraising. This is a great opportunity to participate in this community driven park project, with a focus on creating a space to better serve the residents of Barnes and be a destination for all.

To find out more, contact Jackie.

Litter picking is a vital part of our conservation work. It takes many hours and the work of not only staff, but many volunteers. Some join us every year for our annual clean-up-the-common and some go out weekly in the area near their home. Others litter pick every time they are out and about on the Common. It really does make a difference. Click here to find out more about litter picking on the Common. We can provide bags, litter pickers and gloves. Please contact Will if you can help.

Water Quality Testing Volunteers

We’re looking for volunteers year-round to help monitor the water quality of Beverley Brook. This project aims to collect and analyse water samples to assess various parameters that indicate the health and quality of the river.

Morning Fieldwork:

  • Collect water samples from Beverley Brook.
  • Test water parameters that require immediate analysis, such as dissolved oxygen and temperature.
  • Record data accurately.
  • Volunteers need to make sure they have the physical ability to get in and out of the brook and work in various weather conditions.

Afternoon Office Work:

  • Test additional water parameters, including ammonia and phosphates.
  • Learn about the overall quality of the river and its ecological implications.
  • Participate in discussions and debrief sessions about the findings.

Training and Support:

  • Volunteers will receive training on water sampling techniques and the use of testing equipment.
  • Continuous support and guidance will be provided throughout the project.

Additional Information And Requirements:

  • All necessary equipment and protective gear will be provided.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in data collection required.
  • Basic understanding of scientific principles is beneficial but not required.
  • Water quality testing will be carried out quarterly so looking for longer term volunteers.

We are excited about the positive impact this project will have on understanding and improving the water quality of Beverley Brook and look forward to welcoming dedicated volunteers to our team. Interested? Please contact the CBS team.

Gully Guardians

Do you want to improve the flood resilience of your local area? We are looking for Gully Guardians. The aim of this programme is to monitor the highways gullies and drains in your area to help direct and inform the work carried out by the council in maintaining these assets. In doing so we would work towards reducing the flood risk and improving the flood resilience in your area.

Introductory / training sessions will be provided to volunteers. Interested? Please contact the CBS team.

We are looking for a team of volunteers to assist us with a number of annual events, including our Wassail (Winter), Community Fairs (Spring/Summer), Autumn Fayre and other ad hoc events. Tasks will include setting up/clearing up, helping run stalls, leading activities (such as craft activities), marshalling, litter picking. You can volunteer for as long as you like and as many events as you would like. Contact Jackie if you’ve got a few hours to spare.

Corporate Volunteering

Duke of Edinburgh

Community Growing

Litter picking

Transect Surveying