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Getting ready - what to bring with you
You will need to bring a packed lunch and a bottle of water, especially if the weather is warm. We provide tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits for tea breaks.
We tend to continue working if there's a light shower, so you're advised to bring a waterproof jacket and suitable footwear. Gloves are only supplied when necessary, so if you like wearing them please bring your own.
Early morning
The Project Leaders arrive at the BTCV office and load the van and/or trailer with the tools and equipment for the day's project. You're welcome to join the project here and help with this.
The pick-up
We aim to arrive at the agreed pick-up point before the set time, usually 10.00am, welcome each person and introduce people where needed. The van will wait for up to 10 minutes for any latecomers.
At the work site
There's a short introduction to the site, the work and a safety talk about tools and equipment. We use hand tools, some of which have to be handled with care. The tool talk tells everyone how to use them safely and is a reminder for experienced volunteers. We supply safety clothing required for some jobs and you are requested to wear it.
Organisation
The Project Leader organises people according to their abilities and the project's needs. Everyone has a chance to do different jobs during the day.
We're not all very fit and strong, but everyone is encouraged to have a go and learn something new.
It isn't all hard work either, there's time to take a rest and appreciate the place you're working in.
Tea breaks
Tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits are provided during the day. Volunteers are asked to bring their own packed lunch. We provide hand-washing facilities.
Leadership style
We try to be co-operative and inclusive. Volunteers will be "asked" to do things - you will only be "told" to do something if safety is involved. The Project Leaders will move around the group to check that everyone is OK and the work going to plan.
End of the day
Many of the sites have public access so the area will need to be tidied and made safe. The tools are collected and counted and loaded into the van. The van aims to return to the pickup point by 5.00pm.The project leaders and some helpful volunteers return to the centre to finish any cleaning and store the tools away. They write up the work and any observations about the site for future reference.
We try to choose work of the greatest conservation or community value at that season. We also try to find jobs that are challenging and fun for all involved.
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