UKC

Hi all,

My work has a policy where I can take a couple of days off a year to do volunteering. I'd love to use them to get outside and do some good.

Initial idea was helping out with path restoration but would love to hear any ideas you have.

Based in Sheffield with a car.

I've really enjoyed my days with my local Wildlife Trust. Learnt lots about wildlife whilst chatting to the regulars, as well as being nice to work outside. 

My local AONB volunteer team do everything from litter picking, path maintenance and scrub cutting and meadow restoration. I guess there will be similar volunteer teams for the Peak District NP and National Trust handy for people living in Sheffield. Then there are the Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, Butterfly Conservation and probably lots more.

BMC Access and Conservation Trust

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-access-conservation-trust

I have a similar policy at work and have done some solo crag maintenance/clean up days under this

Dogsbodying for Mountain Rescue Searchdogs? Very relaxing whilst making an active contribution to mountain safety!

https://mountainrescuesearchdogsengland.org.uk/dogsbody/

If you're into mountain biking how about volunteering with Ride Sheffield? http://www.ridesheffield.org.uk/

We go litter picking twice a week.

Nice one.

I wonder who drops it all?

I quite like the idea of this!

It's great fun! If you'd like to give it a try, drop an email to the address in the web page and the secretary will put you in touch with whoever organises the Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England training in your area - from your profile that'd be the Peak District. Or send them a message via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MRSearchDogsEng

They'll talk you through a typical training session and you can take it from there. Here in SARDA South Wales we'd usually ask a new Dogsbody to turn up at their first session a few minutes early for a safety briefing, learn how to use a radio if you haven't used one before, and make sure you've got all the kit you need (bivvy bag, sleeping bag in winter, closed-cell mat).

graffiti removal on Wharncliffe.

next spring i will be doing some of that myself.

People are often looking for seasonal volunteers at this time of year - food banks, Christmas hamper packing etc. Community groups on facebook are a good place to look. 

Your a bit late this year but Santa usually has his volunteer elfs chosen at the start of November, so maybe put it in your calendar for next year. 

According to UKC it's top-ropers, students, tory voters, drivers, cyclists, the right, the left, the boomers, the zoomers, the wealthy, dog owners, meat eaters, vegans and Franco Cookson.

But mostly Franco

Thanks Kate, my girlfriend seemed rather enthusiastic about this idea when I mentioned it to her. Probably something about their being new dogs to meet!

Following. Also Sheffield, same policy, been wondering the same thing!