Throughout Devon, there are many opportunities to get involved with practical conservation, through a wide variety of projects.
Through volunteering with us, you have an opportunity to:
Each Wednesday and Thursday the Midweek Group carries out practical conservation work in the beautiful Devon countryside and local green spaces. Everyone is welcome (but you will need to book a place on the minibus). The work is seasonal and could involve anything from building a boardwalk in a local wood or constructing an environmental area in a school, to clearing litter from a nearby beach. Full training is provided. To book a space on the minibus or for more information please call the Plymouth office on 01752 301416.
The Torbay Group is based in Torre, Torquay and carries out practical conservation work in and around the South Devon countryside. The group can operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Fridays. Everyone is welcome (but you will need to book a place on the minibus). The work is seasonal and could involve anything from building steps through a local park, to improving habitats at a local nature reserve. You may also qualify to gain a free Environmental Conservation II Diploma if you can commit the time! Many of the projects and training sessions could not be possible without our key partners:
Torbay Council; communities and wildlife are carefully considered in a number of projects across the bay.
Teignbridge Council; attending to the managment needs of many valuable wildlife habitats.
To book a space on the minibus or for more information please call the Torbay office on 01803 215536, 07740 899604 or email on d.kent@btcv.org.uk
The Exeter Midweek Group carries out practical conservation work on Tuesdays and Fridays. Everyone is welcome (but you will need to book a place on the minibus). The work is seasonal and could involve anything from building a footpath through a local wood to laying a traditional Devon hedge. Full training is provided. To book a space on the minibus or for more information please call the Exeter office on 01392 666 460.
View the latest Exeter Midweek volunteering opportunities
BTCV Training Staff are working across the South West helping people through accredited training courses to further their skills set or develop their personal interests. Practical skills, such as habitat management, leading groups, vegetation management, boundary work and risk assessments are just some of the areas we can cover. Whether you wish to explore day courses or long term vocational couses such as those below, please get in touch.
Environmental Conservation Level II Diploma:- a valuable qualification that recognizes a wide range of practical skills, often highly desired by many conservation or land management organisations.
Horticulture Level II Diploma:- offering such a diverse range of activities to develop those skills for interests at home or your career.
The above courses can be gained by volunteering not just at BTCV but other practical volunteer groups too, such as National Trust sites. It is likey you may also qualify for free enrollement!!
For more information on any Devon training courses please don't hesitate to get in contact with Nigel Cotterill on 07740 899605 or at n.cotterill@btcv.org.uk.
BTCV has received funding from V, the youth volunteering charity, to deliver the exciting new vinvolved project. vinvolved gives young people between the ages of 16-25 the chance to get active while at the same time gaining valuable experience, accreditation & the chance to do something positive! By giving as much of your time as you wish, from an hour to a couple of days a week, you can receive full support, get experience for your CV, gain certificates and do something fun, that you are passionate about. How about helping with music & art projects, coaching sport, working with animals, children or the elderly, taking part in environmental or community work, or developing your own project!
If you would like to get vinvolved or for more information, please contact your local BTCV vteam. Plymouth vinvolved - 01752 519780 or 07740 899655 / 07740 899657 or vinvolved-plymouth@btcv.org.uk, Exeter vinvolved - 01392 666460 Torbay vinvolved - Call Jess on 01803 215536 or browse www.vinspired.com for more ideas.
Are you 16-25? Nothing to do at weekends? Want to do something fun & make a difference? PEA (Plymouth Environmental Action) is an exciting new youth lead project, supported by BTCV & vinvolved. Our mission is to ‘Involve & inspire young people to conserve the environment within their local community; whilst having fun & leading practical projects.'
We go out most Saturdays, with the occasional Sunday, and our projects include beach cleans & surveys, footpath maintenance, step building, hedgelaying, tree planting, bush crafts, and residentials at different sites around Devon & Cornwall. Plus, you can also work towards national certificates and awards.
Transport, waterproofs, boots, tea & biscuits are provided, you just need to wear old clothes & bring lunch & a drink.
What our volunteers say: “Since I’ve been coming out I’ve gained confidence and have socialised with people.” (Rob, 19) “It gets me out the house ... I’d be bored otherwise.” (Sharna, 17) “... helping me to gain new skills such as vegetation clearance, habitat construction, fencing & beach clean surveys. I can also put it on my CV & university application.” (Sam, 17) “Having done an environmental science degree environmental volunteering has complemented my academic studies with practical skills that will help me gain future employment.” (Kylie, 23) “... has helped me further my personal skills, develop my confidence & gain managerial skills.” (Alex, 22)
If you would like more information or would like one of our programmes please contact the vteam on 01752 519780 or ring/text Emily on 07740 899655 or e-mail: vinvolved-plymouth@btcv.org.uk
BTCV organises environmental team-building activities for groups of employees. As well as offering development opportunities to businesses, schools or public authorities, there is no better way to building a team, improving morale or getting to know one another than taking part in a rewarding outdoor project that is likely to benefit the local community, wildlife or both! Such tasks may include tree planting, beach sweeps, BBQs, step building or scrub bashing!
We can offer a range of volunteering activities to suit the groups needs. Whatever the activity, the day will be good fun and you will learn something new.
Contact Nigel Cotterill at N.Cotterill@btcv.org.uk for more information.
Here are some of the organisations we work alongside in the efforts to improve environments for wildlife and the community. They also help inspire people to get involved:
Torbay Council
Teignbridge Council
Friends of Kitson
Stoke Flemming Loam Rangers
Tree wardens are volunteers who gather information about the trees in their patch, get involved in local tree matters and encourage local practical projects associated with trees. If you are interested in becoming a tree warden for your local area, we can provide you with training and opportunities to meet up with the network of Plymouth tree wardens.
If you want to get more involved with the work that BTCV does, you could consider helping to lead our projects. You will gain valuable experience and we provide free training in practical conservation skills as well as training in first aid, leadership, driving our minibus etc. There is also the opportunity to complete a free Diploma in Environmental Conservation.
Exeter, Torbay and Plymouth offices are now considering interest. Please see office details for contacts.
BTCV assists the local community in undertaking practical conservation projects - find out how we could work with your community group
If you are a private landowner or manage an area of countryside and would like some work carried out by our enthusiastic group of volunteers and their skilled leaders for a very reasonable rate, please contact us (details below). The work must have an environmental aspect to it, for example improving habitats for wildlife or improving public access (eg footpaths or steps through a wood).
For more information please contact us:
BTCV Plymouth
First Floor
6 Mannamead Road
Mutley
Plymouth
PL4 7AA
Tel: 01752 301416
Email: plymouth@btcv.org.uk
BTCV Exeter
11-15 Dix's Field
Exeter
EX1 1QA
Tel: 01392 666460
BTCV Torbay
Torre Station Yard
Newton Road
Torquay
TQ2 5DD
Tel: 01803 294610
Email: n.cotterill@btcv.org.uk
