Yoga Retreat Holiday

Monday, 23 January 2012

Nurture the Mind and Body on a BTCV Conservation Holiday

Fancy taking care of your mind, body and the environment all at the same time? Then get away from it all with one of BTCV’s new weekend breaks.

Running in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire in February and March next year, the two holidays offer you the chance to escape the hustle and bustle, look after the environment through conservation tasks and take care of yourself with yoga and Japanese Reiki sessions.

Based at either Akeley Wood, a beautiful, semi-ancient woodland set in the lovely Buckinghamshire countryside, or Snelsmore Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and rare lowland heath in Berkshire, the holidays include tasks such as coppicing, scrub clearance and hedgelaying.

All the tasks will be guided by an experienced and qualified group leaders who will have a good knowledge of the practical work.

Volunteers choosing the Akeley Wood break will be staying in an adorable 150 year old 6 bedroom cottage overlooking the Grand Union Canal. Those who pick the Snelsmore Common site will be able to stay in a converted cottage in the grounds of Douai Abbey, home to a community of English Benedictine monks. The abbey is renowned for offering an environment and atmosphere of peace and serenity.

During the weekend, a qualified yoga instructor will lead the group in a 90 minute yoga session suitable for all abilities. A traditional Japanese Reiki practitioner will also be on available to explain more about this therapy, which transfers positive energy, and offer Reiki therapy treatments.

The Akeley Wood holiday runs from Friday 3 February to Sunday 5 February and currently costs £145 with an early bird discount. The price will later increase to £155. The Snelsmore Common holiday will run from Friday 16 March to Sunday 18 March and costs £110 with the early bird discount, increasing to £120 later next year. Both holidays include accommodation, food and yoga and Reiki sessions.

For further information or to book a place, visit www.btcv.org/shop or call 01302 388883

Ends

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

Established in 1959, BTCV is a social enterprise group. We enable people to make a difference in their lives and improve the places around them.

Across the UK, BTCV supports more than 628,000 people working on more than 29,000 projects each year to improve the environment.

In 2010 we helped 20,000 people into work. Our hands-on environmental opportunities and help for people developing skills for both life and work is as critical as ever.

Our work includes:

• Regular environment tasks across the UK • Climate change campaigns • Back to work training and employment support • UK and International environmental holidays • BTCV Green Gym • BTCV Community supporting community groups across the UK • Online shop, including native trees and plants, handbooks and tools.

NEW £250,000 SCHEME TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH LAUNCHED

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

A pioneering £250,000 programme to encourage people experiencing mental distress to become environmental volunteers has been launched in Leeds.

Leading environmental volunteering charity BTCV will deliver the Wellbeing Comes Naturally project across England.

The aim of the project is to encourage people experiencing mental distress to improve their health, confidence and skills by joining a conservation group.

The project has been funded by Big Lottery Fund through the Ecominds grant scheme.

Almost 500 people will benefit from the project which matches volunteers with regular sessions of nature conservation and volunteers will be involved in projects such as vegetable growing and biodiversity work.

Wellbeing Comes Naturally was launched this week at BTCV’s Hollybush Conservation Centre at Kirkstall, Leeds, which will run one of the weekly conservation groups.

BTCV’s Chief Executive Tom Flood CBE spoke at the launch as did Mind Director of Network Support Lee Smith and BTCV volunteer Dave Liversidge from Leeds.

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “The quality of our environment affects quality of life and people with access to green space have both better physical and mental health than those who don’t. Wellbeing Comes Naturally will help people to use the environment to improve their health. It will help build confidence and self esteem and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Dave Liversidge, who has mental health problems and lives at Lincoln Green, Leeds, said: “I live in a tower block with 500 other people and you might think it’s a sociable place to live. But it’s the loneliest place on earth. Without BTCV and the friends I’ve made at Hollybush, my life would be practically intolerable. That’s why schemes like Wellbeing Comes Naturally are so important.”

The Wellbeing Comes Naturally grant is one of 120 to be allocated by Ecominds, a unique £7.5 million scheme delivered by the mental health charity Mind and funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme. In addition to involving people in ecotherapy projects to better their mental wellbeing, Ecominds will promote the inclusion of people with mental health problems into their communities and combat mental health discrimination.

Barry Watts, Grants Manager of Ecominds added: “What we liked about the Wellbeing Comes Naturally project was that we could see how it would directly benefit the future of people with mental health problems on a long-term basis, teaching skills and providing a vital support network.”

Mick Denness, BTCV’s Head of Healthy and Sustainable Communities, added: "Wellbeing Comes Naturally will be invaluable in helping to transform the lives of people across England who are experiencing mental distress. We can’t wait to get started and look forward to improving local environments across the country for everyone to enjoy."

BTCV, the UK’s leading practical environmental charity, is committed to improving health and mental wellbeing and aims to help 500,000 become fitter and improve their mental health over the next four years.

Many people have green spaces nearby but lack the incentive or opportunity to visit them. BTCV offers people reasons to visit green spaces and a purposeful, sociable and enjoyable experience when they get there.

Working out in green spaces is a great way to relieve stress and can help to combat depression. In a recent Mind study after just one country walk, 90 per cent of participants had increased self-esteem and 71 per cent reported decreased feelings of depression. Those who regularly volunteer with BTCV report feeling fitter and having more energy than before.

To find out how BTCV can help you improve your health and environment visit www.btcv.org or call 01302 388 883.

Read more...

NEW £250,000 SCHEME TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH LAUNCHED TODAY

Monday, 2 November 2009

A pioneering £250,000 programme to encourage people experiencing mental distress to become environmental volunteers is being launched today (November 2) in Leeds.

Leading environmental volunteering charity BTCV will deliver the Wellbeing Comes Naturally project across England.

The aim of the project is to encourage people experiencing mental distress to improve their health, confidence and skills by joining a conservation group.

The project has been funded by Big Lottery Fund through the Ecominds grant scheme.

Almost 500 people will benefit from the project which matches volunteers with regular sessions of nature conservation and volunteers will be involved in projects such as vegetable growing and biodiversity work.

Wellbeing Comes Naturally is being launched at BTCV’s Hollybush Conservation Centre at Kirkstall, Leeds, which will run one of the weekly conservation groups.

BTCV’s Chief Executive Tom Flood CBE will speak at the launch as will Mind Director of Network Support Lee Smith and Ecominds Grants Officer, Richard Williams.

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “The quality of our environment affects quality of life and people with access to green space have both better physical and mental health than those who don’t. Wellbeing Comes Naturally will help people to use the environment to improve their health. It will help build confidence and self esteem and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The grant is one of 120 to be allocated by Ecominds, a unique £7.5 million scheme delivered by the mental health charity Mind and funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme. In addition to involving people in ecotherapy projects to better their mental wellbeing, Ecominds will promote the inclusion of people with mental health problems into their communities and combat mental health discrimination.

Barry Watts, Grants Manager of Ecominds added: “What we liked about the Wellbeing Comes Naturally project was that we could see how it would directly benefit the future of people with mental health problems on a long-term basis, teaching skills and providing a vital support network.”

Mick Denness, BTCV’s Head of Healthy and Sustainable Communities, added: "Wellbeing Comes Naturally will be invaluable in helping to transform the lives of people across England who are experiencing mental distress. We can’t wait to get started and look forward to improving local environments across the country for everyone to enjoy."

BTCV, the UK’s leading practical environmental charity, is committed to improving health and mental wellbeing and aims to help 500,000 become fitter and improve their mental health over the next four years.

Many people have green spaces nearby but lack the incentive or opportunity to visit them. BTCV offers people reasons to visit green spaces and a purposeful, sociable and enjoyable experience when they get there.

Working out in green spaces is a great way to relieve stress and can help to combat depression. In a recent Mind study after just one country walk, 90 per cent of participants had increased self-esteem and 71 per cent reported decreased feelings of depression. Those who regularly volunteer with BTCV report feeling fitter and having more energy than before.

To find out how BTCV can help you improve your health and environment visit www.btcv.org or call 01302 388 888.

Read more...

BTCV's free volunteering sessions in the environment improve mental-health

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) today published guidance on the treatment and management of depression in adults with chronic physical health problems.

It advised that patients with chronic physical health problems such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes should be offered structured group physical activity programmes or group-based peer support (self-help) programmes.

Leading environmental volunteering charity BTCV works extensively with people with mental health problems and BTCV’s free structured volunteering sessions have been proven to improve mental health among those taking part.

BTCV is an environmental volunteering organisation. We involve significant numbers of volunteers with mental or physical health problems with local conservation projects across the UK.

We break down barriers, tackle exclusion and enable volunteers to build confidence and gain new skills. The most well known and pioneering of BTCV’s health initiatives is the Green Gym® - an innovative alternative to the traditional gym or leisure centre, which provides a natural workout in the outdoors.

The BTCV Green Gym is the only “health and nature” programme to be independently evaluated over a five-year period. The study, by Oxford Brookes University’s School of Health and Social Care, found that those who joined with the poorest mental health scores showed the most significant improvements. In addition, 99% of participants felt that their health and confidence improved.

Volunteers like Norwich mum Liz Howarth, aged 42, say volunteering with BTCV has improved their mental health and their life.

Liz had suffered from depression, agoraphobia and other mental health issues

Life was full of dread, anxiety, depression, tears, worry and frequent trips to my doctor. But since becoming a volunteer with BTCV, her life has changed.

“My confidence and self-worth have grown and continue to do so,” says Liz, from Norwich.

“I feel a sense of purpose and the good feeling I get is benefiting my daughter. I can be quiet whilst volunteering when I need to feel peace. “I have spoken to other volunteers and this is a sentiment shared by others who also have depression, agoraphobic tendencies and mental health issues.

Fellow volunteer Bob Warburton aged 46 was severely depressed and in need of substantial NHS support when he joined BTCV. He has now been volunteering for five years and spends two days a week felling trees, clearing ditches and cleaning ponds.

He spends a lot of time with volunteers suffering from autism, depression and physical disabilities and says the experience has helped him turn his life around.

Read more...

Young Soldiers Conserve River Ouse to Make Way for Rare Species

Friday, 23 October 2009

Young soldiers have been undertaking vital conservation work in York as part of their army training.

Platoon 3 from Harrogate Army Foundation College joined environmental volunteering charity BTCV to clean 100 metres of willow from the banks of the River Ouse in York.

Around 50 young soldiers spent time volunteering with BTCV. Volunteering is an important part of the army recruits’ training course.

The recruits pulled thousands of himalayan balsalm plants and raked an area along the river bank to make way for native species of beetles and ferns.

The River Ouse in York provides the only home in the UK for the Tansy beetle - an attractive bright green leaf beetle, with a coppery sheen. It received its name because the favoured habitat is on riverbanks on Tansy plants.

A spokesperson for Fulford Parish Council said: "I am absolutely thrilled. It all looks fantastic. I shall always remember the picture of those young soldiers marching along in their bright red tops, camouflage rucksacks on their backs and rakes and saws in their hands."

The project was run by BTCV's York team and supported by Greenprints, a scheme to encourage environmental volunteering among 16-25 year olds. BTCV, an environmental charity which works with 300,000 volunteers a year, runs practical conservation activities in York several times a week.

The tasks are varied so there are always opportunities for volunteers to get involved with the projects and to learn new skills.

Volunteers not only learn new skills, they’re also able to keep fit and improve an area of the local community whilst making new friends.

Visit www.btcv.org.uk for more information or call the York team on 01904 644300 or email york@btcv.org.uk

Read more...

Charlie Dimmock to present awards to BTCV Green Heroes

Saturday, 17 October 2009

Celebrity Gardener Charlie Dimmock will present BTCV Green Heroes with their awards at the Country Living Christmas Fair.

Charlie will also help out at the BTCV stand prior to the event, meeting visitors and giving away herb seeds.

BTCV supports 300,000 volunteers to take part in practical environmental projects in their communities and the annual Green Heroes Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of volunteers from across the UK.

There are seven award categories which cover the diverse range of individual volunteers and groups that BTCV supports including Volunteer of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year, Better Life Award, Dave Donohue Award, Project of the Year, Community Group of the Year and Local Partnership Award.

The winner of the BTCV Green Hero Volunteer of the Year award this year goes to Bruce Maclennan from Dingwall, Ross-shire, Scotland. Bruce’s hugely positive approach, despite his learning difficulties, has been instrumental in making the Inverness Green Gym a warm and welcoming group for a wide range of people.

The award for Young Volunteer of the Year goes to Shawn Streeter. Shawn took up volunteering three years ago with a conservation group in West Sussex. He then joined a BTCV’s Community Network Group and now also co-ordinates a Health Walks programme around his village. Since training as a leader two years ago, and at only 14 years old, he is the youngest qualified Health Walks leader in the country.

Charlie Dimmock has been a BTCV supporter for several years.

Charlie Dimmock said: “Meeting BTCV’s Green Heroes and hearing how they make an amazing difference to their communities and the environment is really inspiring. I congratulate all of them on their superb efforts.”

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “BTCV Green Heroes are remarkable people. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of climate change, but Green Heroes demonstrate the difference individuals and groups can make.”

Read more...

VOLUNTEERING SCHEME IMPROVES FOCUS FOR LONG TERM UNEMPLOYED

Friday, 16 October 2009

Unemployed people who have been given increased access to volunteering options say the new package of support is helping boost their confidence and job prospects.

From April this year JobCentre Plus customers who have been out of work for six months or more have been offered the opportunity to take part in a Work Focused Volunteering Placement Scheme.

BTCV, the leading environmental charity, is one of four volunteering organisations delivering the scheme which is run in partnership with CSV, VE and V.

It’s an innovative and ambitious programme for the Third Sector to work directly with individual job seekers.

BTCV has placed 1128 unemployed volunteers since the programme went live in April. Together the partner organisations have placed more than 2365 volunteers.

Among the satisfied volunteers is 31-year-old Ian from London.

Ian, a retail manager, had been out of work for six months when he agreed to a one day volunteering placement clearing an allotment.

He enjoyed his BTCV volunteering placement so much he returned for a further two task days.

“I now have a paid job but I put that I had volunteered on my CV and I think it looked really impressive and gave me something to talk about at interview,” explained Ian.

“I would really recommend it to other people who are in the position that I was.” Glenn, 53, from East London has been unemployed since 2001.

He has been volunteering at a charity store for two days a week since August and feels the Work Focused Volunteering Placement Scheme has helped him prepare for a return to work.

“This has been the best thing I’ve done for years. It’s the first time I’ve really wanted to go back to work. It’s given me a real sense of purpose and it’s rewarding knowing that I am doing something that really helps other people.” Tom Flood CBE, BTCV Chief Executive, said: "Volunteering with BTCV gives jobseekers' CV's credibility and is also the impetus towards a healthier, more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

“Many individuals who have been on Job Seekers’ Allowance for over six months lack motivation and self esteem and volunteering with BTCV and its partners through this scheme is the first step to regaining confidence and learning new skills.

"For people who have been out of work for a long time, or who have never had a job, newly acquired skills learned by volunteering can make all the difference. It also demonstrates to a potential employer that the volunteer is capable of holding down a job.”

In the next four years BTCV is aiming to actively support 1.5 million people in environmental action and move 50,000 people into employment. BTCV makes a significant impact on the UK and International environment by inspiring 300,000 people to look after more than 50,000 places.

Read more...

School Green Gym wins national BTCV Green Heroes award

Friday, 16 October 2009

Environmental charity BTCV has awarded the All Saints School Green Gym in Richmond Hill, Leeds, with a national award for involving both children and parents in environmental projects.

All Saints School Green Gym had been shortlisted for BTCV’s Green Heroes awards in the Community Group of the Year category.

Beating off stiff competition from across the UK, the group has now been named overall national winner.

BTCV’s annual Green Hero Awards recognise people and groups who have made a special contribution to the environment, often in the face of challenges and difficulties.

The regular weekly environment sessions have made a huge impact on the school grounds, with activities such as growing vegetables, clearing a pond and planting spring bulbs and flowers. They have spread the word about food growing and healthy eating to parents, teachers and the other children, increased their knowledge and skills, and had lots of fun!

Many of the children involved have emotional problems, including low self esteem. The Green Gym has enabled them to feel included, gain confidence in their abilities, make new friends and feel pride in their achievements.

Along with BTCV’s other Green Hero winners, members of the group will be invited to a prestigious award ceremony at Country Living magazine’s Christmas Fair on November 11 where they will be presented with their award by celebrity gardener, Charlie Dimmock.

BTCV is Country Living’s charity of the year.

The independent panel of judges commented: “This group have had a profound effect on their teachers, parents and community. This is a project which could potentially influence governments and be rolled out across the board.”

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “BTCV Green Heroes are remarkable people. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of climate change, but Green Heroes demonstrate the difference individuals and groups can make.”

Read more...

Broxtowe partnership wins national BTCV Green Heroes award

Thursday, 15 October 2009

Environmental charity BTCV has awarded Broxtowe Borough Council a national award which recognises the lengthy partnership between the charity and local authority.

Broxtowe Borough Council had been shortlisted for BTCV’s Green Heroes awards in the Local Partnership category but beating off stiff competition from across the UK, the council has now been named overall national winner.

BTCV’s annual Green Hero Awards recognise people and groups who have made a special contribution to the environment, often in the face of challenges and difficulties.

The partnership between BTCV and Broxtowe Borough Council was established more than 25 years ago. Staff from the council, BTCV and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust hold regular meetings where activities are reviewed. In 2008-2009 BTCV delivered 59 project days across seven council sites.

Broxtowe was praised for its willingness to flexibly schedule work programmes in a way that met its own objectives as well as those of BTCV. Work around the Nottingham Canal, a site which provides regular work for BTCV conservation holidays, was held up as good example of collaborative working.

Along with BTCV’s other Green Hero winners, members of the partnership will be invited to a prestigious award ceremony at Country Living magazine’s Christmas Fair on November 11 where he will be presented with his award by celebrity gardener, Charlie Dimmock.

BTCV is Country Living’s charity of the year.

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “BTCV Green Heroes are remarkable people. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of climate change, but Green Heroes demonstrate the difference individuals and groups can make.”

Read more...

Southwater teenager wins national BTCV Green Heroes award

Wednesday, 14 October 2009

Environmental charity BTCV has named Southwater schoolboy Shawn Streeter its national Young Volunteer of the Year.

Shawn, aged 14, beat off stiff competition from finalists across the UK to land the honour which is awarded by BTCV, the leading environmental charity which works with 300,000 volunteers across the UK and abroad.

BTCV’s annual Green Hero Awards recognise people and groups who have made a special contribution to the environment, often in the face of challenges and difficulties.

Shawn took up volunteering three years ago with Storrington Conservation Volunteers then joined BTCV’s Community Network Group’s Sandgate Conservation Society and another group Storrington Green Fingers.

He also co-ordinates a Health Walks programme around his village and since training as a leader two years ago, he still remains the youngest qualified Health Walks leader in the country.

Shawn’s dedication to volunteering was praised by Green Heroes judges who said: “The breadth of his volunteering and his commitment is just amazing.”

Shawn has encouraged some of his schoolfriends to volunteer and this has helped change the whole emphasis of the group making it truly intergenerational.

Along with BTCV’s other Green Hero winners, Shawn will be invited to a prestigious award ceremony at Country Living magazine’s Christmas Fair on November 11 where he will be presented with his award by celebrity gardener, Charlie Dimmock.

BTCV is Country Living’s charity of the year.

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “BTCV Green Heroes like Shawn are remarkable people. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of climate change, but Green Heroes demonstrate the difference individuals and groups can make.”

Dingwall man wins national BTCV Green Heroes award

Wednesday, 14 October 2009

Environmental charity BTCV has hailed a volunteer from Dingwall as one of the UK’s Green Heroes, for making a real difference to the environment and the local community.

BTCV (formerly the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) is 50 years old this year and works with around 300,000 volunteers across the UK. Its annual Green Hero Awards recognise people and groups who have made a special contribution to their local environment, often in the face of challenges and difficulties.

Details of the regional Green Heroes Award winners went before a panel of independent judges who had the tough task of deciding who would take the national award for Volunteer of the Year and Dingwall’s Bruce MacLennan was selected.

Bruce’s hugely positive approach, despite his learning difficulties, has been instrumental in making the Inverness Green Gym a warm and welcoming group for a wide range of people.

He is a very regular volunteer, coming out in all weathers, and has a limitless enthusiasm for the work he is doing. He has made people with mental health and other issues feel welcome and accepted into the group, helping all the volunteers to work together and accept each other in a positive way.

Bruce is also much appreciated as the team’s time-keeper, making sure the all-important tea breaks are bang on schedule.

Bruce will now be invited to a prestigious award ceremony at Country Living magazine’s Christmas Fair on 11 November where he will be presented with his award by celebrity gardener, Charlie Dimmock. As Country Living’s charity of the year, BTCV opted to hold the awards at the fair.

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “BTCV Green Heroes are remarkable people. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of climate change, but Green Heroes demonstrate the difference individuals and groups can make.”

Read more...

Carrickfergus Garden of Eden wins national BTCV Green Heroes award

Wednesday, 14 October 2009

Environmental charity BTCV has awarded the Garden of Eden Allotment project a national award for improving the mental health of vulnerable adults by involving them in practical gardening work.

The Garden of Eden project, based in Carrickfergus, had been shortlisted for BTCV’s Green Heroes awards in the Project of the Year category.

Beating off stiff competition from across the UK, the Garden of Eden has now been named overall national winner.

BTCV’s annual Green Hero Awards recognise people and groups who have made a special contribution to the environment, often in the face of challenges and difficulties. BTCV, which operates under the name CVNI in Northern Ireland, is the leading environmental volunteering charity in the UK.

The allotment was established to involve residents of sheltered accommodation and people involved with a drug and alcohol rehabilitation group in practical work to improve their mental health.

They have worked hard to create an allotment which is used to its full potential to produce home grown fruit and vegetables.

It has improved the physical abilities of those involved by providing a means for gentle exercise, and fresh organic produce which they can take home. It has also improved their mental health by providing a safe social setting and a fun, relaxed working environment.

Along with BTCV’s other Green Hero winners, members of the group will be invited to a prestigious award ceremony at Country Living magazine’s Christmas Fair on November 11 where they will be presented with his award by celebrity gardener, Charlie Dimmock.

BTCV is Country Living’s charity of the year.

The independent panel of judges commented: “This project demonstrates the obvious health benefits of getting involved with BTCV, it’s a strong inclusive project which shows how volunteering can have tangible benefits to people with mental health and drug and alcohol problems.”

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “BTCV Green Heroes are remarkable people. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of climate change, but Green Heroes demonstrate the difference individuals and groups can make.”

Read more...

Norwich woman wins national BTCV Green Heroes award

Wednesday, 14 October 2009

Environmental charity BTCV has named Norwich mum Liz Howarth its national ‘Better Life’ Green Hero.

Norwich mum Liz Howarth has been honoured with a Better Life Green Hero award beating off stiff competition from across the UK.

Liz’s remarkable story impressed the judges who had to choose one of seven finalists from across the UK to land the honour.

The award comes from BTCV, the leading environmental charity which works with 300,000 volunteers across the UK and abroad.

BTCV’s annual Green Hero Awards recognise people and groups who have made a special contribution to the environment, often in the face of challenges and difficulties.

For many years Liz Howarth suffered from depression, agoraphobia and other mental health issues while also trying to support a daughter with behavioural challenges.

Life was full of dread, anxiety, worry and frequent trips to her doctor. Since starting with her local Green Gym, her life has changed. Her confidence and self-worth have grown and continue to do so and she says that, in turn, this benefits her daughter.

Liz has taken part in over 40 Green Gym sessions and is confident at passing on her skills to other and is exceptional at recruiting new volunteers.

She will now be invited to a prestigious award ceremony at Country Living magazine’s Christmas Fair on 11 November where she will be presented with her award by celebrity gardener, Charlie Dimmock.

BTCV is Country Living’s Charity of the Year.

The independent judging panel commented: “When Liz joined BTCV she was scared to leave the house and now she’s planning to climb Ben Nevis. That is a phenomenal achievement.”

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “BTCV Green Heroes are remarkable people. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of climate change, but Green Heroes demonstrate the difference individuals and groups can make.”

Read more...

Healthy BTCV recognises its Green Heroes

Monday, 12 October 2009

Inspirational people making a difference to their environment, locally & globally

Environmental charity BTCV has named its Green Heroes and health projects have swept the board.

BTCV (formerly the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) is 50 years old this year and works with around 300,000 volunteers across the UK.

Its annual Green Hero Awards recognise people and groups who have made a special contribution to their local environment, often in the face of challenges and difficulties.

The awards highlight the diverse nature of BTCV and pay tribute to the people that help make BTCV the world’s most successful practical volunteering charity.

Bruce MacLennan was named BTCV Volunteer of the Year. Bruce is a member of Inverness Green Gym and was described by judges as the volunteer who had “achieved the most and come the furthest”.

Bruce has learning difficulties and combines his all weather, all year volunteering in the Scottish Highlands with attendance at a local day centre.

Volunteer Liz Howarth, who attends a Green Gym in Norwich, was awarded a Green Hero Better Life Award. Liz has battled depression, anxiety and family problems to become a regular member of her Green Gym.

The BTCV Green Gym® is a scheme which inspires you to improve both your health and the environment at the same time. Experienced leaders guide you through a range of practical projects, giving you the opportunity to tackle physical jobs in the outdoors – improving your strength and stamina, boosting your practical skills and confidence and benefitting your local green spaces. Liz says: “BTCV Green Gym is helping me change my life. My confidence and self worth have grown and continue to do so. My motivation has gone from very low to very high. This is one of the best things that has happened in my life.”

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “BTCV Green Heroes are remarkable people. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of climate change, but Green Heroes demonstrate the difference individuals and groups can make.”

Young Volunteer of the Year Shawn Streeter, aged 14, from Southwater, West Sussex, is the youngest Health Walks leader in the UK and plays a pivotal role in his local BTCV group and improving the health of his local community.

Winners, including Shawn and his parents, will now be invited to a prestigious award ceremony at Country Living magazine’s Christmas Fair on November 11 in London where they will be presented with an award by celebrity gardener, Charlie Dimmock.

BTCV is Country Living’s charity of the year.

Read more...

BTCV recognises its International Green Heroes

Monday, 12 October 2009

Inspirational people making a difference to their environment, locally & globally

Environmental charity BTCV has named its Green Heroes and recognised the outstanding work of Iceland-based volunteer Chas Goemans.

BTCV (formerly the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) is 50 years old this year and works with around 300,000 volunteers across the UK and abroad.

Its annual Green Hero Awards recognise people and groups who have made a special contribution to their local environment, often in the face of challenges and difficulties.

The awards highlight the diverse nature of BTCV. Among the winners was Chas Goemans who joined BTCV as a volunteer 21 years ago. Chas now works for the Icelandic Ministry of Environment where he manages volunteering in national parks.

Chas initially volunteered with BTCV in the UK and later became an International Leader on BTCV holidays. One year he led 10 international projects and on a particular trip he fell in love with Iceland.

He stayed in the country and developed BTCV conservation holidays there.

By exporting BTCV to Iceland, Chas has developed BTCV’s International Programme which now has a worldwide following.

Chas has ensured those on BTCV trips have the holiday of a lifetime. Furthermore he’s helped equip them with new skills, knowledge, standards and inspiration which they can take with them and build on in their respective countries, future volunteering or careers.

His contribution to environmental volunteering has been recognised by the Icelandic government who have now secured his employment and experience.

Chas has built a strong programme in Iceland which still operates successfully.

Volunteers are an important part of the practical management of Iceland's protected areas and each summer, volunteer groups work on projects throughout the country in Iceland's national parks and nature reserves.

Volunteer teams work closely with local staff on a variety of practical management tasks including trail building, wilderness management and heritage management projects. For more information about BTCV International Holiday visit www.btcv.org or call BTCV Customer Services on 01302 388 883.

Winners, including Chas, will now be invited to a prestigious award ceremony at Country Living magazine’s Christmas Fair on November 11 in London where they will be presented with an award by celebrity gardener, Charlie Dimmock. BTCV is Country Living’s charity of the year.

Read more...

BTCV recognises Green Hero partner organisations

Monday, 12 October 2009

Inspirational people making a difference to their environment, locally & globally

Environmental charity BTCV has hailed volunteers and partners from the across the UK as Green Heroes.

BTCV is 50 years old this year and works with around 300,000 volunteers across the UK. Its annual Green Hero Awards recognise people and groups who have made a special contribution to their local environment, often in the face of challenges and difficulties.

The awards highlight the diverse nature of BTCV and pay tribute to the people that help make BTCV the world’s most successful practical volunteering charity.

Among the BTCV partner organisations singled out for praise by independent panel of judges was Broxtowe Borough Council in Nottinghamshire.

BTCV and Broxtowe Borough Council has worked together for 25 years and in 2008-2009 BTCV delivered 59 projects days across seven council sites. The council recognises the value of volunteering and the partnership continues to flourish.

The Garden of Eden Allotment project in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, won BTCV Green Hero’s Project of the Year.

The project, run by CVNI (BTCV operates as CVNI in Northern Ireland) was set up in October 2008. It involves residents of sheltered accommodation and people involved with a drug and alcohol rehabilitation group in practical work to improve their mental health.

Volunteers have created an allotment and now produce fruit and vegetables. The project, which is supported by Carrickfergus Borough Council, has improved the physical abilities of those involved by providing a means of gentle exercise and fresh organic produce which volunteers take home.

BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood said: “BTCV Green Heroes are remarkable people. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the face of climate change, but Green Heroes demonstrate the difference individuals and groups can make.”

Representatives from the groups will now be invited to a prestigious award ceremony at Country Living magazine’s Christmas Fair on November 11 in London where they will be presented with an award by celebrity gardener, Charlie Dimmock.

BTCV is Country Living’s charity of the year.

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SCHEME TO TAKE INCAPACITY CLAIMANTS OFF BENEFITS WORKS, SAYS YORKSHIRE EMPLOYER

Wednesday, 7 October 2009

AS the Conservative Party outlines its plans to move 400,000 incapacity claimants off benefits, a South Yorkshire business has endorsed a scheme which gets the long term sick back to work.

VeryPC, an award winning green IT manufacturer based in Sheffield, has found jobs for six long term unemployed people through a unique back to work programme delivered by leading environmental charity BTCV.

BTCV’s Work Preparation scheme is delivered in Sheffield and works with 500 people each year who are claiming incapacity benefits.

VeryPC’s Chief Executive, Peter Hopton said: “The great thing about BTCV’s Work Preparation scheme is that it takes so much of the guesswork out of recruitment.

“Over the course of a 30 day placement, not only does someone who has been on long term sick get a chance to assess whether they are really ready to start work again, but we, as an employer have a great chance to assess the skills and suitability of a prospective employee.

“When an employment opportunity does arise, we can draw on this fantastic resource to hire someone who we know will be highly suited to the job and is also sure that they personally want to work with VeryPC.

“It’s also very satisfying to know that we are involved in an important step on the way back to work for so many local people.” Environmental charity BTCV is a large scale national organisation that delivers a multitude of small scale local projects. Chief Executive Tom Flood CBE explained: “This year marks our 50th anniversary - five decades of inspiring people and improving places. In that time we have consistently supported people improving their local environment and achieving a more active, healthy and skilled society. “Our long term goal is to make a difference to the widest range of people in society. Our vision remains simple – to create a better environment where people are valued, included and involved.” In the next four years BTCV is aiming to actively support 1.5 million people in environmental action and move 50,000 people into employment. It plans to develop and build on programmes like the one delivered in Sheffield. Tom Flood added: “There is a reason why Third Sector delivery of public service contracts has rocketed over the past decade. It is because we are good at them. Every £1 invested by BTCV’s funders has a social value of around £4.

“Getting involved with BTCV is often the impetus towards a healthier, more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

“As volunteers and clients make a contribution and have it recognised their self respect increases and so does their motivation. The success stories at VeryPC are testimony to this.”

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BTCV reports reduction of Co2 emissions by 14.6%

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Innovative ideas including a staff EcoPledge have helped environment charity BTCV slash its overall carbon emissions.

BTCV has cut its overall Co2 emissions by 14.6% since 2006-2007.

The leading environmental volunteering charity began measuring its Co2 production in 2006, putting in place a number of measures to improve efficiency, conserve resources and reduce emissions.

Some of these measures have included incentives to travel wisely, a cycle to work scheme, an environmental champion in every office, selection of energy suppliers who use renewable fuels and an increase of staff training in environmental issues.

BTCV has also launched a popular EcoPledge scheme for staff encouraging individual commitments to a change in behaviour.

A review of BTCV’s owned fleet has led to an 8.9% improvement since the last report, based on less miles covered, less fuel used and less Co2 emitted. The charity also reports that it now sources 6% of its energy from a renewable supplier.

The findings mean that BTCV is well on its way to meeting the goals set out in the strategic plan launched in May 2009.

Nick Hall, Head of Safety and Environment at BTCV, says: “It’s often difficult for large organisations to know how they can make a difference, but what BTCV has done shows that small changes reap big rewards”

“This reduction is excellent news and down to the hard work of staff and volunteers who recognise the fundamental importance of reducing our carbon footprint. We will be concentrating our efforts to reduce that figure further over the coming months and years.”

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Council praised for strong environmental partnership

Thursday, 1 October 2009

A LOCAL authority has been honoured for its long-standing environmental partnership with volunteering charity BTCV. BTCV, the world’s leading practical environmental volunteering charity, has worked with Essex County Council for 23 years and has honoured the strong relationship at an awards ceremony this week. The council was awarded two BTCV Green Heroes Awards which recognise outstanding contributions to the environment made by volunteers, community groups and local partnerships. Essex County Council won Best Partnership and Best Project, in the East, London and South East categories for its Essex Tree Initiative, which launched last year. Almost 400,000 trees were planted throughout the year-long period and 21,574 of these were planted by 200 BTCV volunteers who gave their time to environmental projects.

Hosted by Essex County Council, the awards ceremony also celebrated 50 years of BTCV as well as the long standing partnership between the two organisations. In recognition of the strength of the partnership BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood presented County Councillor Tracey Chapman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, with the two regional awards and now they will then go on to the national judging. BTCV Chief Executive Tom Flood CBE said: “BTCV recognises the value in working with local authorities in order to engage local people in improving their environment. The innovative partnership between BTCV and Essex County Council can be held up as an example of best practice. We look forward to continuing to work with them in the coming years.”

County Councillor Tracey Chapman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste said: "The Essex Tree Initiative is one of our most successful environmental schemes to date and I am pleased that it has received the recognition it deserves, both with the BTCV awards and The Woodland Trust's recent Third Sector Excellence Award for best Public Sector Partnership. A big thank you also to Lord Hanningfield, whose vision and commitment brought the Initiative to life."

Robert Overall, Executive Director, Environment, Sustainability and Highways said: "I would like to congratulate the BTCV on such a successful awards evening. The Green Heroes Awards demonstrate what can be achieved when two organisations work in harmony and I am proud to call the BTCV our partner."

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Volunteering Gives Job Seekers the Edge as Six Chase Each Job

Tuesday, 29 September 2009

THERE has never been a better time to volunteer, according to figures released this week which show six jobseekers competing for each job.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal the desperate state of the employment market and how almost six unemployed people are competing for each vacancy.

The statistics, which compare with just two jobseekers for every position at the beginning of the decade, underline the importance of volunteering in self development.

BTCV, the world’s largest environmental volunteering charity, provides opportunities for job seekers to learn new skills, improve their health, improve their environment and strengthen their CV.

“Volunteering with BTCV is often the impetus towards a healthier, more environmentally friendly lifestyle and it undoubtedly gives jobseekers’ CV’s a boost,” explains BTCV’s Chief Executive Tom Flood.

“As volunteers make a contribution and have it recognised their self respect increases and so does their motivation.

“For people who have been out of work for a long time, or who have never had a job, these newly acquired skills can make all the difference. It also demonstrates to a potential employer that the volunteer is capable of holding down a job.”

Over the next four years BTCV aims to mobilise 1.5 million people into environmental action. BTCV also aims to move 50,000 people into employment using its enviable track record in supporting people through employment training and into work.

Ends

For more information and case studies or discuss news opportunities contact BTCV’s National Press Office on 01302 388 824.

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LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN TO BENEFIT FROM SCHOOL GARDEN MAKEOVER

Tuesday, 29 September 2009

School children at Ratho Primary School will benefit from school garden makeover thanks to employees from The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) and BTCV Scotland. The 50 strong team from RBS Gogarburn Head Office will be spend Wednesday 30th September with BTCV Scotland transforming the school’s grounds into a learning experience where children can grow food and tend plants. The ambitious team will create an interactive learning zone, new wildlife and sensory gardens, paint fences, install benches and plant hundreds of flowers - all in a day’s work! A grant of £2000 has been made available by RBS towards the costs of the materials. Liz Walshe, Headteacher says: “Enormous thanks to RBS and BTCV for helping to transform areas of our vast grounds. Their support will help us to further develop our outdoor environment so that it can be used more widely for teaching and learning purposes. The children will benefit enormously from the increased opportunities to learn outdoors and all the work will help to attract a wider variety of wildlife to our grounds.” Heath Brown, from BTCV Scotland, who designed the garden, explains: “This is an ambitious project and shows a fantastic commitment by RBS employees. The transformation will make a real difference to the childrens’ environmental education, health and wellbeing.” Many RBS employees already participate in local community initiatives and their partnership with BTCV encourages employees to make a positive impact on their local environment. BTCV is particularly keen to work with businesses to encourage employees to get involved in environmental initiatives in their local communities.

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BTCV’s Wellbeing Comes Naturally gets £250,000 to launch national flagship eco-p

Thursday, 10 September 2009

Today, BTCV’s Wellbeing Comes Naturally project has been selected as one of five flagship projects to receive a maximum grant of £250,000 from heavily oversubscribed grant scheme Ecominds. The monies, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, will encourage people with mental health problems to get involved in local conservation groups. Fighting off tough competition from a large number of applicants shortlisted for the flagship grant, the Wellbeing Comes Naturally project was chosen along with four other schemes. Now 450 people with mental health problems are set to join 28 conservation groups across England. Each group will involve volunteers in regular sessions of nature conservation with the aim of maximising physical and mental health benefits. Volunteers will be involved in projects which improve biodiversity and recreation and some may also be involved in growing fruit and vegetables. The quality of our environment affects quality of life and people with access to green space have both better physical and mental health than those who don’t. BTCV aims to encourage people to use the environment to improve their health. The grant is one of 120 to be allocated by Ecominds, a unique £7.5 million scheme delivered by the mental health charity Mind and funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme. Ecominds is helping thousands of people across the country to improve their mental wellbeing through ecotherapy - encouraging people to get outdoors and get active. Ecotherapy has been proven to be as effective as anti-depressants in treating depression.(1) In a recent Mind study after just one country walk, 90 per cent of participants had increased self-esteem and 71 per cent reported decreased feelings of depression. (2)

BTCV’s Wellbeing Comes Naturally project stood out from the other applications because it gave the best possible opportunities for people with mental health problems to work and recover while improving local environments for all.

Overjoyed at the announcement, Mick Denness, BTCV’s Head of Healthy and Sustainable Communities, said "The grant that we have received will be invaluable in helping to transform the lives of people across England who are experiencing mental distress. We can’t wait to get started and look forward to improving local environments across the country for everyone to enjoy."

Barry Watts, Grants Manager of Ecominds, said: “The huge number of applicants for the flagship grants made our decision very difficult, especially given the quality of the applying projects. What we liked about BTCV’s Wellbeing Comes Naturally was that we could see how it would directly benefit the future of people with mental health problems on a long-term basis, teaching skills and providing a vital support network. We are sure those involved will become an asset to local communities and I wish them the very best of luck!”

One in four people experience mental distress yet there still presides vast stigma about mental health problems. Social contact has been shown to be the most important factor in gaining better understanding. By improving local environments, Ecominds hopes to promote the inclusion of people with mental health problems into their communities, breaking down barriers and helping to combat mental health discrimination.

BTCV Cymru launches approach to tackling employment and training needs in Wales

Tuesday, 4 August 2009

Leading environmental charity hosts Ministerial launch of new Family Employment Initiative

The British Trust of Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) Cymru has today launched its Family Employment Initiative (FEI) at Bryn Bach Park, Tredegar. The event, designed as a new and innovative approach to tackling training and employment needs across Wales, featured a Ministerial speech from Leighton Andrews, Deputy Minister Social Justice & Regeneration.

Using a specialist engagement programme designed to create supported pathways for individuals and families in targeted areas, the FEI will provide participants with the opportunity to get involved in volunteering, community and group activity. This project will help them to increase confidence and obtain skills to help break down the barriers faced by families and individuals in areas of high worklessness.

BTCV Cymru is also intending to use the FEI and conservation activity as a vehicle to create further awareness of climate change issues across Wales and the UK. The project will provide volunteering opportunities designed to encourage participants to engage and re-engage to build their confidence and provide them with the practical and mental skills required to help them to take the next step, raising the aspirations of both themselves and their communities.

Deputy Minister Social Justice & Regeneration, Leighton Andrews comments: “This scheme builds on the successful Objective 1 BTCV project, Skills for a Sustainable Wales, which helped 350 people gain new skills through a programme of training, work experience and guidance. By undertaking initiatives to enhance the local environment, the FEI programme will positively affect over 3,000 people.”

The launch of the FEI represents one of many initiatives being rolled out by the BTCV during its 50th anniversary year. Since 1959, the organisation has grown in to a 'carbon army', numbering in the tens of thousands, with conservation projects across the UK and beyond, and celebrity patrons ranging from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to TV's Charlie Dimmock.

Tom Flood, CBE, Chief Executive, BTCV comments: “The FEI is a positive response to recent worrying employment trends. Our research proves the positive benefit volunteering has for individuals, communities and the wider environment. Our aim is that with our partners at the Welsh Assembly and Coalfields Regeneration Trust, this initiative will give those affected by long term unemployment in Wales a renewed purpose and a positive outlet for their energies.” Ioan Jenkins, BTCV Wales Director, comments: “Volunteering has a unique way of bringing communities together, and the FEI is no different except in that it also designed to drive awareness of environmental and climate change issues in Wales. There has been a well-documented rise in the number of unemployed people, particularly in the younger generation. The FEI will enable the volunteers to discuss their stories and help others make positive steps towards employment and improving their lives.”

The programme FEI will run to March 2012 and will operate initially in Ebbw Fach, Tredegar, Rhymney, Merthyr, Aberfan, Rhondda Fawr and Bridgend following three successful pilots in Penderry, Rhymney/Pontlottyn and Ebbw Fach. BTCV Cymru would like to further develop the programme across Wales focusing on areas of high unemployment.

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BTCV seeks non-executive board members

Friday, 24 July 2009

BTCV, the leading environmental volunteering charity, is offering the chance for two strategically minded individuals to become non-executive board members.

BTCV is a major force for transforming people’s lives and improving places and communities through environmental volunteering and skills and training. BTCV believes in a better environment where people are valued, included and involved.

In its 50th year, BTCV has set out ambitious plans. It is investing in four core areas of measurable impact: improving the environment, active environmental citizenship, improving physical and mental health, and increasing employability, skills and training. The organisation will also support 1.5 million people in environmental action across the UK, reconnecting people and nature.

Sue Hilder, BTCV’s retiring Vice Chair, said “We are looking for candidates from the academic, private, public or third sectors with relevant public connections. Whether applicants are from a practical, managerial or public policy background, the aim is that they will demonstrate environmental experience and understanding, together with the ability to apply that knowledge strategically. Additional relevant experience in marketing/PR, HR, health and/or social enterprise will also be valued.”

“As a seasoned trustee, I can thoroughly recommend serving on BTCV’s Board. It offers an exciting, challenging and fulfilling experience for anyone with a strategic grasp of the social and political context in which BTCV operates and a conviction of the benefits of environmental volunteering. More information about this exceptional opportunity is available from our website at www.btcv.org, under ‘Job vacancies’.”

Click the Read More link to find out how to apply

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Lincolnshire GP practice becomes first ever holder of a BTCV Green Gym licence

Thursday, 2 July 2009

When Rosemary Blakesley saw a news item on BBC Breakfast featuring BTCV Green Gym, a scheme which inspires you to improve both your health and the environment at the same time, she thought, ‘What a brilliant idea!’ Almost immediately she contacted BTCV, the UK’s leading environmental volunteering charity, about setting up a Green Gym in her community. After a year of intense planning and with a licence held by local health centre, Hereward Group Practice, the Bourne Green Gym is now in action. It is helping people in the town to improve their fitness and well-being and at the same time sorting out some neglected corners of local parks, improving access in the woods and hopefully starting work on a school outdoor classroom in the near future.

Rosemary, who was previously a garden and landscape designer, was fortunate in that Hereward Group Practice was supportive of the idea from the beginning and assisted her in a bid to the Lincolnshire PCT Rapid Improvement Fund, which they succeeded in securing.

“It’s important to provide patients who need to increase their exercise with a range of options.”, says Robert Brown, Practice Manager, “Whilst some may be interested in gym classes or walking, others will be attracted to the idea of gardening and other types of physical work outdoors. The Green Gym is a valuable addition to the options we provide and the work they do makes a significant contribution to the community.” The practice continues its support by providing Rosemary with office space and tool storage, advertising Green Gym in the waiting areas and encouraging GPs to refer patients.

Dr Ian Wheatley, who supports the scheme, says “I think the Green Gym is an excellent idea. Any initiative that improves the physical and psychological health of our patients is very welcome, especially in the context of increasing levels of obesity. Unlike traditional exercise regimes the Green Gym provides social and environmental benefits as well.”

BTCV has received a huge amount of interest from people wanting to set up their own Green Gyms. In response, they have developed a licence arrangement whereby organisations can establish new schemes according to BTCV’s quality standards. BTCV enables them to do this by providing a package of training, evaluation advice and support.

In Bourne, BTCV has supported Rosemary through every stage of development, including explaining the how the Green Gym Licence works and how best to gain the support of a local health authority or health centre. “The support I’ve received from BTCV has been excellent. They make the administration side of my job easy by enabling me to submit project reports online. I know that they are on the end of the phone if I need any advice and they provide training so I can keep improving the Green Gym offer here. I might be the only member of staff in Bourne Green Gym but I certainly don’t feel alone.”

At a typical Green Gym session, experienced leaders guide you through a range of practical projects, giving you the opportunity to tackle physical jobs in the outdoors – improving your strength and stamina, boosting your practical skills and confidence and benefitting your local green spaces. In Bourne, with two large parks and expansive local woodland, the team of volunteers have plenty to keep them occupied and is steadily becoming an asset to the town.

Adrian Smith is Project Manager for Bourne United Charities, who are trustees for the town’s two main parks. “We employ two groundskeepers to look after over 40 acres, and much of their time is spent looking after the lawns and litter-picking. To have the Green Gym team at our disposal means that some of the forgotten corners of the parks can be reinvigorated and improved for the townspeople. It’s a very positive relationship.”

Yvonne Hunt, BTCV Health Development Manager says, “BTCV is delighted that the Hereward GP practice is the first practice to take on a Green Gym licence. It shows how far GP practices have come in terms of promoting physical activity and mental health, and going beyond treatment. We hope that many more GP practices will follow their example.”

For more information on BTCV Green Gym and Green Gym Licensing, contact: Yvonne Hunt, Tel: 01403 730572, Y.Hunt@btcv.org.uk, Southwater Country Park, Cripplegate Lane, Southwater, West Sussex, RH13 9UN

For more information on Bourne Green Gym, contact Rosemary Blakesley, Project Manager, 01778 393399, Rosemary.Blakesley@LPCT.nhs.uk

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BTCV WILL HELP 50,000 FIND WORK

Wednesday, 1 April 2009

AND IMPROVE HEALTH OF HALF A MILLION PEOPLE, SAYS CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

BTCV’s chief executive Tom Flood says the UK’s leading green volunteering charity has set itself bold targets to help tackle some of the major problems facing society. On the eve of launching BTCV’s Strategic Plan (2009-2013), at a House of Commons reception on 1 April, he said:

“This year marks our 50th anniversary - five decades of inspiring people and improving places. In that time we have consistently supported people improving their local environment and achieving a more active, healthy and skilled society - with tangible economic benefits [1].

“As well as improving our common environment, volunteering with BTCV helps increase resilience to the challenges of modern society, like anxiety and depression, by improving fitness and mental health [2]. It also helps a broad range of people develop new skills to improve their life chances, including the long term unemployed and most vulnerable in society.

“Our new targets reflect our continuing long term goal to make a difference to the widest range of people in society. Our vision remains simple – to create a better environment where people are valued, included and involved.”

In the next four years BTCV is aiming to: • Improve the environment in 75,000 places • Provide opportunities for 500,000 people to become fitter and improve their mental health • Actively support 1.5 million people in environmental action • Move 50,000 people into employment.

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will be speaking at the launch of BTCV’s Strategic Plan. He says, “Volunteering to look after our natural environment is great not just for our physical and mental health, but also for the health of our communities and our economy. I want to congratulate BCTV on 50 years of inspiring work and for this ambitious new plan which promises even greater achievements in the years to come.”

Practically and locally grounded, BTCV has built great authority on a UK- wide scale by engaging with people from the broadest range of backgrounds, abilities, cultures and needs, including the most deprived and neglected communities.

Tom Flood says, “In an increasingly interdependent world, our society faces huge challenges: climate change, social cohesion, inequality and unemployment. “We will touch the lives of 1.5 million individuals over the next four years. Our aim is to transform the outcomes available to them, their communities and society as a whole. For BTCV, this is our investment case and our passion.”

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My Space? Our Space!’ - young volunteers run scheme to make South London better

Wednesday, 25 March 2009

South London volunteers, aged, 16-24, have demonstrated young people’s ability to take a positive and leading role in society in a project organised by green volunteering charity, BTCV.

Over 100 young people took part in projects to improve the environment at Stave Hill and Upper Dulwich Woods for the benefit of local residents and wildlife. The schemes were two of 15 ‘My Space? Our Space!’ community schemes across England, run by young people for young people. ‘My Space? Our Space!’ was set up by environmental volunteering charity BTCV, ‘and funded by The Veolia Environmental Trust, youth volunteering charity v and the John Laing Charitable Trust. In total, over eight hundred 16-24 year olds were involved in the two-year programme.

While social networking websites encourage young people to spend time in the virtual world, the BTCV-run ‘My Space! Our Space!’ programme enables young people to get out, meet up in real life, and stake a claim to spaces that they and the wider community can enjoy together. Each group of young people were given £16,000 to spend on their project and a twelve month timescale in which to turn their ideas into reality.

Volunteers from all 15 projects are meeting in London to celebrate the success of the programme and share experiences from around England. The event, at the Hilton Docklands Hotel, will give each project group the opportunity to tell their story through photographs documenting the changes to the ‘My Space? Our Space!’ sites and the lives of the young volunteers.

There will also be an opportunity to visit one of the ‘My Space? Our Space!’ projects in London, at Stave Hill. Volunteers have been involved in practical conservation tasks and habitat management, and will demonstrate how wildlife has benefitted from these activities. They have also put together a newsletter detailing their activities and encouraging local people to get involved in other projects in the area.

“ My Space? Our Space! has inspired young people the chance to transform the sites that are important to them and the community, as well as developing new skills and gaining valuable experience. Young people are sometimes portrayed very negatively, but this programme has shown what they can achieve with a little encouragement. This is showcased in our London projects by the practical transformations on the ground and the development of conservation skills in our volunteer teams.” Lisa Cowley National Programme Manager.

‘My Space? Our Space!’ volunteer, Emilie Giovanni, says, " I worked outside at Lavender Pond on a great range of tasks: coppicing trees, managing ponds, clearing undergrowth and replanting, and caring for tools. Although I had no prior volunteering experience, I was welcomed into the team and I now have good environmental skills."

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Community Champions prove that Every Action Counts

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Across England, more than 900 Community Champions are now helping local people take simple everyday actions that will benefit themselves and their environment.

Trained by green volunteering charity BTCV, as part of Defra’s Every Action Counts initiative, the Community Champions are working with groups, clubs and societies to identify small actions that will together make a big difference. These include tips on how to save energy, shop ethically and travel wisely.

Now Ministers are keen to learn from their experiences and find out how further Champions might be supported in the future. Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and Rosie Winterton MP, Minister of State, Dept of Work & Pensions, will be meeting a group of 20 Champions from Yorkshire and the North-East at a special event in Doncaster on Friday 13 February.

Ed Miliband says: "The Community Champions scheme run by BTCV has been key to empowering community groups and individuals to make those changes at a grass roots level to help tackle climate change." Rosie Winterton says: “Volunteering can be enjoyable and rewarding, meeting new friends and making a real difference to improve their environment or help other people. It is a great way to learn new skills and gain confidence which can also help to improve employment opportunities. Volunteers play a vital role and I would encourage people to get involved and give up some of their free time to helping their community."

Helen Gleave, a Community Champion based near Thirsk, says: “When I joined I had only just moved to the area and it seemed a good way to get to know people. I liked the idea of taking action as a community, rather than just as an individual. It can be tricky because you are working with people who may not naturally be interested, the opposite of preaching to the converted, but that makes it all the more important.”

Tom Flood, BTCV’s Chief Executive says: “By helping people understand the value of small actions, we inspire them to make bigger and more positive environmental changes in their lifestyles. The scheme helps creates resilience in local communities, bringing people together through a common interest.”

Although funding for the Community Champions programme ends in 2009, BTCV is working with NIACE (the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education) to develop an online training course to support future Champions.

If you would like the skills and knowledge to inspire your local community to take environmental action, please contact BTCV on T: 01302 388 883 E: information@btcv.org.uk W: www.btcv.org

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Mud, Sweat & Cheers!

Sunday, 15 February 2009

Green volunteers celebrate 50th Anniversary

Professor David Bellamy is helping BTCV celebrate 50 years of green volunteering at the place where it all started – Box Hill in Surrey - on 12 February.

BTCV, a registered charity, is now the world’s largest team of green volunteers. It makes a significant impact on the UK and international environment by inspiring 300,000 people to look after and improve more than 50,000 places.

In 1959, BTCV’s roots were established as the Conservation Corps, which was set up to inspire volunteers to do practical conservation work. The first BTCV project saw forty two volunteers, including David Bellamy, clear dogwood to encourage the growth of juniper and distinctive chalkland wildflowers at Box Hill, in Surrey.

Now a BTCV Vice-President, Professor Bellamy is returning to the Box Hill site on 12 February to celebrate the success of the organisation which he helped on its way, and to support the ongoing conservation work at this well-known beauty spot, just south of London. He will be joined by a group of BTCV’s current 16-25 year old volunteers and a group of volunteers who were of similar age in the 1960s, with the aim of exchanging experiences and discussing what has and has not changed.

David Bellamy says, “It’s amazing to think how far BTCV has grown since putting down its roots at Box Hill. In fifty years many things have changed, but volunteering remains an inspiring way to make a difference to the environment and people’s lives. Volunteering with BTCV gets people healthy, and helps them to re-train and find new jobs while improving the environment. “So far BTCV has made a difference to hundreds of thousands of people – across the UK and worldwide. You can help them continue their achievements by volunteering in your area or supporting their work with a donation.”

Box Hill is an outstanding area of woodland and chalk downland that is owned and managed by the National Trust. For the Trust, the assistance of volunteers continues to be as important today as it has always been. If you would like to find out more about volunteering for the Trust at Box Hill, please call Mark Dawson on 01306 885502.

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Country Living Magazine - February 2009

Thursday, 22 January 2009

CALLING ALL LONELY HEARTS!

Are you single, widowed, divorced? Do you love getting out into the countryside and meeting like-minded people? Then eco-dating is for you! It’s the new way to find a soul-mate and, wherever it leads, to friendship and fun or romance and marriage, you’ll be doing your bit for the British countryside at the same time.

We are linking up with BTCV (formerly British Trust for Conservation Volunteers), to bring people together in the great outdoors and put a spring in their step. Clare Michael, a 29-year-old landscape architect, met her boyfriend, Simon, on a hedge-laying day. “We were able to chat very easily and seemed to have similar interests. Eco-dating is very relaxed. Everyone is there to have a good time and it’s great to meet all kinds of people who care about the environment, especially if you can find a relationship too! “I love the outdoors – hiking, climbing, surfing, and people who are interested in volunteering in outdoor activities tend to like these same things. Their eco-friendliness is a bonus.”

The first CL/BTCV event is in the York area on 7 February, at the special price of £5 for the day, including tuition, refreshments and lunch. A week later, you could be enjoying a Valentine’s Supper. The project is tree-planting, and volunteers will work with a partner for ten minutes, then move on to the next “date” until the work is completed. If you can’t make this month’s eco-dating session, there will be another one in July, which will be a day pulling ragwort. Contact BTCV to register your interest in future events on 01904 644300 or e-mail york@btcv.org.uk. And let us know how you get on!

Lantra partnership to boost environmental conservation skills

Monday, 1 December 2008

Volunteering charity BTCV has joined forces with Sector Skills Council Lantra to boost the development of environmental conservation skills and qualifications.

The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to share knowledge and experience. The aim is to develop skills and business support for the environmental conservation sector, including training, information, advice and associated funding.

The move comes at a time of many challenges for the sector, including funding issues, responding to the new EU Qualifications and Credit Framework and the downturn in the UK economy.

BTCV’s Training Development Manager, David Ashurst, said: “Volunteers are vital to the performance of many environmental conservation businesses. BTCV is recognised as a natural partner in helping to ensure that support for skills development reflects their needs and is increasingly demand-led.”

Lantra’s Industry Partnership Manager, Kevin Patrick, said: “Lantra and BTCV share a number of strategic and business objectives relating to the development of people, both employed and working as volunteers, in environmental conservation. Both organisations recognise the value of developing skills and the positive impact this has on business performance and the economy, on biodiversity targets, on quality of life, social inclusion and community cohesion, and on the long-term sustainability of the environmental and land-based sector.”

The partnership between Lantra and BTCV has already been established through research on volunteer skills. This research found that over 500,000 people volunteer within the environmental and land-based industries, principally in industries such as trees and timber, landscape, fencing, environmental conservation and animal care. The research also assessed volunteer learning and development needs, and looked at the scope of current training provision available and how it meets their needs.

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BTCV sustains diversity performance

Friday, 28 November 2008

New statistics show that BTCV is the UK’s leading environmental charity in engaging under-represented communities.

In the last financial year, BTCV worked with more than 25,000 people from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

BTCV also worked with 2,000 community groups from under-represented communities and engaged 16,000 unemployed people. Plus, 44% of all people involved in BTCV come from under-represented communities.

Over the last three years, BTCV’s engagement with people from BME communities has remained consistently high, averaging 27,000 people.

Marie, an asylum seeker and BTCV volunteer said: “At a time when I really needed it, BTCV kept me busy, giving me new skills and providing me with a new family that has helped me to feel that I not only belong but I’m contributing something positive to my new home”.

Clifford Davy, BTCV Head of Diversity said: "I am delighted that BTCV has been able to build and sustain key relationships with partners, to tackle environmental inequality on a significant scale, through effective engagement with under-represented communities across the UK."

To read the full report, go to: http://www2.btcv.org.uk/diversity_performance_08.pdf

For further information on BTCV's diversity work, read Changed Places, Changed Lives. http://www2.btcv.org.uk/display/changedplaces

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BTCV celebrates 50 years of green volunteering

Tuesday, 25 November 2008

BTCV is celebrating its fiftieth birthday next year – in February 2009. The UK’s leading green volunteering charity is celebrating half a century of ‘Inspiring people and improving places’.

BTCV was founded in 1959 as The Conservation Corps by the Council for Nature – an umbrella body of natural history organisations which included the RSPB and World Wildlife Fund (now WWF). The name was taken from the California Conservation Corps, which had been set up in the 30s as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal.

The first Conservation Corps leader was Brigadier Armstrong, followed by Major Judge. There were lots of officers returning from the war who had a reasonable pension, were too young to retire, and were good at organising, and projects like this were seen as valuable outlets for their talents.

The Conservation Corps was set up to provide a workforce for the recently created national parks and nature reserves. Another aim was encouraging young people growing up in urban areas to learn about natural history.

During the 1960s, a typical Conservation Corps project might involve 40 men and women, accommodated in separate marquees, with a hired cook. Leaders had no particular training and Health & Safety regulations were less rigorous than today.

In March 1970 the Conservation Corps was established as a charity in its own right, under the name British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Since then, BTCV has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, who have made a significant impact on the UK’s environment [1]. Today BTCV supports 300,000 green volunteers taking hands-on action to improve their urban and rural surroundings. The charity’s slogan -‘Inspiring people, improving places’ - reflects its aim to create better local environments where people from all cultures feel valued, included and involved.

Tom Flood, BTCV’s chief executive, says: "So much has changed in the first fifty years of our history, yet our core values remain the same – to inspire people and improve places. We want to celebrate our first 50 years by showing what a difference green volunteering has made and does make to our lives and the environments we live in: volunteering is the DNA of society.”

Sir David Attenborough, a vice president of the charity, says, " Volunteering with BTCV brings together people from all walks of life and gives them a common purpose – to learn about, to understand and become part of the natural world. They volunteer not just because they want to bring about change to their local environment, but because it’s fun – it gets you outdoors, it makes you fit and you’re learning something new all the time. BTCV is working hard to make that happen.”

You can find details of BTCV volunteering events happening near you by visiting www.btcv.org or calling the BTCV information line on 01302 388 883.

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BTCV welcomes Richard Rogers as new Ambassador

Tuesday, 28 October 2008

Environmental volunteering charity BTCV has appointed Richard Rogers CBE, former Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service, as one of its new Ambassadors.

Mr Rogers headed the EHS (now renamed The Northern Ireland Environment Agency) for seven years until his retirement earlier this year. Prior to this, he was Director of Environmental Policy in the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.

He will use his experience to advise BTCV on strategic planning issues, particularly in light of the organisation’s 50th anniversary in 2009.

Mr Rogers said: “Conservation doesn’t always grasp people’s imaginations – they often cannot see its relevance to their lives or the part in which they can play in it. BTCV has an excellent record in helping people make those connections and do something practical. It also leads the way in showing how environmental volunteering can bring about much broader social regeneration.”

Tom Flood CBE, BTCV’s Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard on board. His expertise and experience, both in management and the environment sector, will be invaluable.”

The role of Ambassador to BTCV is a new initiative to increase the impact of BTCV's environmental work and to emphasise BTCV's public accountability. Ambassadors are senior volunteers and friends of BTCV who support its development and strategic direction.

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Conservation caught on camera

Thursday, 18 September 2008

Environmental volunteering charity BTCV’s annual photo competition has this year drawn in images of people all over the world looking after their local wildlife and green spaces. The overall winner was Tom Fyson who receives £500 for his photograph in the ‘Getting the job done’ category. It depicts a local Romanian villager hard at work bringing in the hay. The picture was taken in July 2007 during a BTCV conservation holiday as part of the Vargyas Gorge and Almas Community Project in the Carpathian Mountains, Romania.

Over 1,200 images were entered, with the winners being chosen by a public vote.

The other categories were: Landscape and Wildlife – winner: Charmaine Murray, for a picture of the Nevada desert taken on a BTCV holiday as part of the The Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) a non-profit organisation that educates people about their local environment and encourages them to take more environmental responsibility.

Time Off – winner: Nicola Goddard: for her photograph of volunteers taking a break from the not so glamorous but vital task of litter picking whilst on the BTCV The ‘Beachsweeps’ in Cornwall October 2007.

BTCV’s Publications Manager Rob Bowker said “The people that entered this year’s competition really captured the spirit of BTCV, and the standard of photography was so high it was difficult to select a short list. The total number of public votes was 9,084, and Tom won by just 11 votes. BTCV would like to thank everyone that entered. “To celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2009, we are also in the process of compiling a photo archive on flickr so please keep sending us your pictures.”

The 2008 competition is now open, to enter and find out more about BTCV, our projects and how you can get involved visit www.btcv.org/news or call 01302 388883.

To view this year’s winners and entries go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/btcvphotocomp/sets/72157605837723535/.

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KEEP IT CLEAN - URGE FRIENDS OF KINSON COMMON AND MILLHAMS MEADERS

Monday, 1 September 2008

Volunteers from north Bournemouth Countryside Volunteers will be joining BTCV to clear up two sites in north Bournemouth.

Its all happening as part of the Stour Valley Festival taking place on the 12th – 14th September at Stour Valley Nature Reserve. Local volunteers will join BTCV and Friends of Kinson Common and the Millhams Meaders to help tidy up two well used local nature reserves.

This Tidy up is open to the public, so please come along and join in. The more people that help, the tidier the sites will be. It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy the Stour Valley Festival and see two local nature reserves. All are welcome! BTCV will be running the event and will provide equipment, including litter picking tools, bags and gloves and practical support from professional staff. BTCV is supporting the Big Tidy Up, the countries biggest ever litter tidy up, organised by Keep Britain Tidy. See www.bigtidyup.org Figures released by Keep Britain Tidy have revealed: - That council taxpayers in the UK fork out £500m a year to clean the streets.

- Over 30m tonnes of litter are collected from our streets each year

- That thanks to the growing presence of dropped food, the UK rat population now stands at approximately sixty million - People can be fined £80 for dropping litter. Last year 44,000 people were prosecuted

Like everywhere else in the UK, Millhams Mead and Kinson Common has its fair share of litter. But thanks to the constant work of local volunteers they at least have people prepared to do something about it. The Big Tidy Up volunteers will gather at the Stour Valley festival at 11:00 on Sunday 14th September. They will be transported to Kinson Common and spend a couple of hours removing rubbish from the site

The second opportunity will be during the afternoon when volunteers will gather at the festival at 14:00 to depart for Millhams mead, where after two hours they will leave a rubbish free site!

These two tidy ups are open to the public so feel free to come along a join in. The groups are hoping that as many volunteers as possible will come and join them and that the rest of the community gets the message that dropping litter is simply not on.

The Bournemouth Big Tidy Up takes place at: The Stour Valley Festival

Location: Stour Valley Local Nature Reserve

Date: 14th September 2008

Time: 11:00 and 14:00

You are invited to send a photographer/reporter to this event.

For further information please contact Paul Sherriff on 01935 415 255, 07764 655 719, p.sherriff@btcv.org.uk

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Help BTCV celebrate 50 years of environmental volunteering

Monday, 1 September 2008

BTCV is asking volunteers, old and new, to help celebrate its fiftieth birthday next year. The UK’s leading environmental conservation charity is asking for volunteering anecdotes, old newspaper cuttings and any other memorabilia which record BTCV’s first 50 years of ‘Inspiring people, improving places’.

It might be a story about the ‘Three Year Million Tree’ campaign from the 1990s, or a cutting about BTCV’s first international conservation project in Czechoslovakia in 1969. Or maybe you were one of the 42 people, along with David Bellamy, taking part in the very first project at Box Hill in Surrey, in 1959? Whenever the occasion, from 1959 to 2008, if you were there, or had friends or family who were, BTCV would like to hear from you.

BTCV was founded in 1959 as the Conservation Corps, under the leadership of Brigadier Armstrong. While many things have changed since then, BTCV is more committed than ever to inspiring people to get involved in practical action to look after our environment. Today BTCV supports 300,000 volunteers taking hands-on action to improve their urban and rural surroundings. The charity’s slogan -‘Inspiring people, improving places’ - reflects its aim to create better local environments where people from all cultures feel valued, included and involved.

Tom Flood, BTCV’s chief executive, says: "We want to celebrate our first 50 years by showing what a difference volunteering can make to our lives and the environments we live in."

Sir David Attenborough, a vice president of the charity, says, "I am proud to be a BTCV supporter because I know that 'thinking globally and acting locally' is one of the keys to our future. “The wonderful thing about BTCV is that it gives people practical opportunities to get involved in looking after their local area, and this opens the door to broader environmental awareness and action. Please support BTCV - the planet needs them!"

You can email, post or call BTCV with your anecdotes or memorabilia: Email: 50@btcv.org.uk Post: Katie Hallam, BTCV, Sedum House, Mallard Way Doncaster DN4 8DB Telephone: 01302 388 833.

You can also find details of BTCV volunteering events happening near you by visiting www.btcv.org or calling the BTCV information line on 01302 388 883.

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Bill Oddie presents Network Rail Environment Award to local volunteers

Thursday, 17 July 2008

Environment charity BTCV has won a Network Rail Environment Award for its work at a site in Great Stukeley, Cambridgeshire.

Volunteers from BTCV’s Bedford team have been working to protect a railway embankment which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Their achievements have now been recognised with the winning of the Biodiversity Protection category in Network Rail’s national environment awards. The nominees were announced by wildlife presenter Bill Oddie and the award was presented by Iain Coucher, Network Rail Chief Executive, at a ceremony at the Natural History Museum in London.

Ed Green, BTCV Bedford Project Officer, said: “It shows what a difference a small group of people, working together as a team, can make to local wildlife and habitats. The volunteers aren’t trained professionals – just people who have decided to give their time and made an amazing contribution. It’s great to see them getting this recognition. We would love to hear from people or groups interested in joining the project.”

The Network Rail judging panel praised BTCV ‘for demonstrating good practice and adopting a scientific approach to conserving the grassland habitat at Great Stukeley, near Huntingdon. The work has enhanced and protected the wildlife in the area and given volunteers the opportunity to improve their skills and environmental knowledge’.

Dr Tom Charman from Natural England’s Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Land Management Team said: “Natural England is very pleased to be working in partnership with BTCV and Network Rail to safeguard this special site. Chalk grassland is a rare habitat in Huntingdonshire that supports some fantastic plants and animals. However, it requires regular management otherwise scrub and coarse grasses begin to take over. BTCV and Network Rail are working hard to prevent this from happening and it is great to see that a range of wildflowers and insects, such as pyramidal orchids and the marbled white butterfly, have already benefited.”

Network Rail’s Off Track team usually deals with issues such as fly tipping, graffiti and fencing, and it was recognised that the 36 hectare area was in need of some specialist attention. They have therefore been working in partnership with Natural England and BTCV to manage the land. Because of the dangers of working so close to the railway, the Off Track team ensure that the charity volunteers are given a safety briefing before starting work, and are supervised by a controller of site safety at all times.

BTCV volunteers have carried out more than 350 volunteer work days on this site in the last two years, cutting and removing grass (the wildflowers need low nutrient soils) and managing the invasive scrub. They will also be involved with fencing off some of the area with a view to introducing animals to graze the site.

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Appointment of Professor Kay Hampton as Ambassador

Thursday, 3 July 2008

BTCV is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Kay Hampton as the first of its Ambassadors, a new role for the organisation.

Dr Kay Hampton FRSA, FHEA is a Professor in Communities & Race Relations at Glasgow Caledonian University. She is also a Commissioner with the Equalities and Human Rights Commision, UK, and with the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

BTCV is the UK's leading environmental volunteering charity with over a quarter of a million volunteers annually undertaking practical conservation activity. BTCV's mission is an improved environment where people feel valued, included and involved.

The role of Ambassador to BTCV is a new initiative to increase the impact of BTCV's environmental work and to emphasise BTCV's public accountability. Ambassadors are senior volunteers and friends of BTCV who support its development and help elect its Board of Trustees. The role was created by the Board following a review of governance that it commissioned to continue BTCV's commitment to accountability and transparent and effective governance.

Prof Kay Hampton said: “I am delighted to be an Ambassador to BTCV. The investment case for environmental volunteering as a necessary element of public policy, for social as well as environmental benefits, is compelling.”

Rupert Evenett, Chair of BTCV, said: “We are delighted to have Kay Hampton as the first of our new Ambassadors. A senior figure with great stature in the worlds of social justice and diversity, we look forward to her guidance and advice.”

Tom Flood, Chief Executive of BTCV said: “Kay Hampton's understanding of the significance of the outcomes of practical environmental volunteering will help BTCV achieve its ambitions in growing our proven environmental and social impact.”

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Environmental volunteers to be recognised across Europe

Wednesday, 21 May 2008

Recognition for skills gained informally is a key feature of the first Europe-wide accreditation scheme for Environmental Volunteers.

“Environments for Learning” will enable skills gained in the UK to be recognised by environmental organisations in many other countries. The programme is being developed by BTCV and partners across Europe, based on the new European Qualification Framework. Often gained informally through practical work, volunteers’ knowledge and capabilities will be assessed, accredited and recognised using a standard pan-European system

“This will be especially important for our younger volunteers, who often take time out before, during or after studies,” says Anita Prosser, Head of International Development at leading environmental conservation charity BTCV, the UK partners in the scheme. “It will also benefit those de-motivated by studying, who learn new skills in a friendly and informal setting”.

The five pilot areas covered by the scheme will be leadership, project management, trail management, nature management and citizenship/community development.

The Environments for Learning project is run by BTCV and is funded by the European Union’s Leonardo da Vinci programme for improving the quality of vocational education and training in Europe. It will formally launch across Europe in September 2008. The seven project partners are from five countries: BTCV (UK), Green Balkans (Bulgaria), Estonian Fund for Nature (ELF, Estonia), Hólar University College and Environment Agency of Iceland (UST) (Iceland), Elix Conservation Volunteers and KESSA DIMITRA (Greece).

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Conservation work attracting more people with disabilities, says new report

Thursday, 20 March 2008

A massive increase in the number of disabled people taking part in environmental conservation activities is reported by BTCV, the UK’s largest practical conservation charity.

According to the BTCV Diversity Report 2008, the greatest rise was amongst BTCV’s key volunteers, where the proportion classing themselves as disabled has gone from zero to one-in-ten in just two years. For all BTCV volunteers, the figure has moved from 9% to 11%, while the percentage of paid staff reported as disabled has more than quadrupled from 2.5% to 12%. Conditions range from limited mobility and hearing impairment to Dyslexia.

“The results highlight the success of BTCV’s policy to include individuals and groups traditionally under-represented in the environmental sector,” says Tom Flood, BTCV’s Chief Executive.

The figures also show a healthy diversity across the board, with BTCV involving over 80,000 individuals in diversity-related work, with over 20,000 (25%) from a BME background. The survey for the first time also identified 9% of BTCV staff as White but not British, giving a combined total of 12% BME and ‘White Other’, as compared with 7.9% of the UK population. 37% of all people involved in BTCV activities come from communities under-represented in environmental volunteering; for example refugees and asylum seekers, those at risk of offending and people living in poverty.

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Green Gym celebrates 10 year milestone

Thursday, 21 February 2008

Ten years ago the first Green Gym was set up in Sonning Common, Oxfordshire to try out the theory that you really can keep fit and healthy by doing practical nature conservation. That pioneering group has proved the theory works, and it continues to attract new volunteers of all ages as well as retain old hands who joined at the very start.

The original Green Gym idea came from Dr. William Bird of the Sonning Common Health Centre, which developed it in partnership with BTCV. Since then over 60 Green Gyms have been set up by BTCV throughout the country, with more in the pipeline. Oxfordshire now boasts 5 Green Gyms, the most in any county – Abingdon, Bicester, Chipping Norton and Wallingford have been added to Sonning Common.

The anniversary will be celebrated with a giant work party at Aston Rowant Nature Reserve on Thursday 6th March. All 5 Oxon groups will be participating, as well as Dr.William Bird. They will be cutting down hawthorn scrub which is threatening to choke out the wonderful variety of wildflowers and mosses growing on the Chiltern hillside. The Reserve is also celebrating an anniversary this year - its 50th.

The Sonning Common group has been volunteering at Aston Rowant every month for 10 years, drawn by the many different types of conservation tasks it offers such as fencing, gate installation and juniper planting. “I love coming here because there’s always something new to do. We’ve seen it in all sorts of weather - fog, snow, blazing sun, but you never tire of the fantastic views” says founder member Diane Gordon. During the anniversary session a bench will be installed in memory of Fred Denton, another founder volunteer.

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