During winter and early spring, when our corporate volunteers are warm in their offices, warehouses and factories, we rely upon our other body of helpers to look after our sites: the young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) scheme. Who are these willing (and some less willing) volunteers who turn out in all weathers every Saturday morning, and what did they achieve this spring?
DofE participants can discover new talents, develop essential skills for life and have fun with friends, setting challenges and pushing personal boundaries. It’s open to young people aged 14 to 24 and has three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold. There are four sections; volunteering, physical, skills and expedition. Those undertaking Gold are also required to attend a residential course.
Under the previous leadership of Chris Bull, former environment trustee, LHCRT offered participants the chance to complete their volunteering section with us. They come from different local schools, Scout Groups and youth clubs and although mainly boys, we do have some girls too, with three recently completing their Bronze Award.
Working with our adults as part of the Green and Grounds team, they’ve achieved a lot this spring. A number of shrubs and small trees were relocated from lock 23 near London Road Bridge and planted along the boundary of the large field on Falkland Road. On the same site they replanted shrubs and whips from our nurseries at Darnford Moors and Tamworth Road.
At Fosseway Heath, hedging was planted along parts of the towpath, much dreaded gorse cleared and burnt and the site tidied.
At Darnford Moors, bark chip paths were laid in Bull Wood, and ground prepared for a wild flower meadow, and then seeds and bulbs planted.
The towpath along Tamworth Road was tidied, and dead hedging created, whilst some of the older lads repaired shed doors and roofs, and learned to use battery operated strimmers under supervision. Thanks to M6 Toll for their donation this year which allowed us to purchase a second battery strimmer.
To run this activity, we are short of suitably qualified adult volunteers. In accordance with Trust policies, we require two adults on site with a DBS certificate and a first aid qualification between them for safety. Ideally the lead supervisor should have both.
If you have not worked with young people before, this can be challenging, but it is very rewarding, especially seeing youngsters who have passed through the various levels mature and progress to adulthood. It’s only for a couple of hours on Saturday mornings so not much time to give per week, and we will arrange the DBS certificate and first aid training. If you are interested please apply to us.
Philip Skelton, Green and Grounds Team Leader
This blog first appeared in Cut Both Ways, our members’ magazine.
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