The National Trust Needs You!
08/02/06

Make it happen - volunteer with Europe's most successful conservation movement.

Volunteers building a footpath in the Lake District whilst on a National Trust working holiday in Langdale.

Looking for an exciting and interesting way to make a difference in conserving the environment and the UK's heritage? Whatever your interests or skills,the National Trust in the North West would love to hear from you.

The National Trust is one of the largest volunteer forces in the country. 43,000 people each year give 2.6 million hours of their time and expertise through working in 180 different ways for the National Trust.

In the North West region in 2004 over 2500 volunteers worked at Trust properties in the Lake District, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester giving 219,314 hours of time. This equates to a wage bill of £987,048!

Vicky Wilkinson, the Trust’s Community and Volunteering Officer for the North West said:

“We’re now seeking volunteers for the 2006 season. Learn new skills, meet new people, work right at the heart of amazing buildings, gardens and landscapes. Just imagine what you could do! We can offer a great variety of interesting jobs in some fantastic locations, and all we ask is that volunteers are enthusiastic, and enjoy meeting people. Without them the National Trust would not be able to continue its conservation, learning and access work, and many properties would simply have to close to the public”.

• In the Lake District, Cheshire Countryside and at Lyme Park the Trust needs volunteers to help with wardening and countryside duties generally. 3,200 volunteers of all ages give time to the Trust as countryside wardens and estate workers, caring for some of Britain's most stunning and vulnerable landscapes and opening them up for people to enjoy. You will be led by professional staff - experts in conservation and sustainable land management. If you are physically fit and looking for a challenge, why not get involved.
  
  
• Wildlife lovers can help with wildlife surveys in Lancashire and at Hawkshead in Cumbria.
  
  
• Room Stewards and Interpretation Guides are needed across the whole north west region - Lake District, Lancashire and Cheshire in the Trust’s built properties.
  
  
• Over 10,000 of our volunteers throughout the UK are stewards. You can help answer visitors' questions and bring the property to life through stories about the properties they care for. Stewards also assist staff with the critical role of keeping a watchful eye on security and visitor safety in emergencies. If you enjoy meeting people and have an interest in local history, this could be for you.
  
  
• At Speke Hall on Merseyside, the Trust is looking for volunteers to work on the education programme and community projects.. For people of all ages a visit to a Trut property can spark a lifelong passion for history, wildlife and the environment. You can also help to enrol new members or inspire groups through giving talks.
  
  
• There are volunteering opportunities to help at the two Regional offices in Grasmere, Cumbria and at Altrincham in Cheshire with special projects, membership promotion, education and communications.
  
  
• Special projects in the Lake District are seeking volunteers to help with learning and administration duties at at St Catherine’s, whilst on Coniston Water, the Steam Yacht Gondola needs volunteer crew.

The Trust’s Cheshire and Merseyside properties are also promoting Employee Volunteering Opportunities, which encourage people to ask their employer about volunteering as part of a group from work . The Employee Volunteering Programme (EVP) is designed to increase the opportunities for corporate and public sector organisations to contribute to the community and environment and to offer development opportunities to their staff. Past clients have included BT, Motorola, Marks & Spencer, Barclays Bank and Jaguar Cars.

Over 6,000 employees have contributed their time - to the value of half a million pounds. Environmental volunteering is physical, rewarding and tangible, which is very important for results-driven people

If you would like further information about volunteering with the National Trust you can visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk and click on ‘Helping Us’, or telephone 0870 609 5391

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