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Most asked: Daniel Greenwood, Volunteer Development Officer



Most asked: Daniel Greenwood, Volunteer Development Officer

November 5, 2018

Answers to questions about a particular area of work in the National Park – some sent in to our newsletter and others that we get asked all the time.

Answering this month is:

Daniel Greenwood, volunteer development officer for the South Downs National Park.

What does a Volunteer Development Officer do?

My job is to support and deliver the National Park Authority’s volunteer strategy so that we can create more diverse opportunities and encourage a wider range of people to get involved in, and benefit from, volunteering in the South Downs. I’m also responsible for agreeing and helping to enforce policies for existing volunteers which cover things like health & safety, training and legal frameworks.

I also facilitate our volunteering network which has more than 150 members from professional bodies to small local organisations. The aim of the network is to learn from each other and support how volunteering opportunities are developed in the National Park.

The final part of my role is outreach. I visit colleges and universities to talk about how volunteering can help people find jobs in conservation and promote the benefits of being a volunteer.

What volunteering opportunities are there in the South Downs National Park?

There are lots of organisations, big and small, who need your help to make a difference in the National Park. Visit our volunteering map to find a project near you

The Volunteer Ranger Service is an independent organisation affiliated to the National Park. They have around 450 members who regularly get involved with conservation tasks. They gave about 5,200 days of time in 2017. Visit our website to find out more about their work and current opportunities

What training can I get as a South Downs Volunteer Ranger?

All new members of the South Downs Volunteer Ranger Service (VRS) receive a day of training introducing them to the National Park, its natural history and cultural heritage. When people have been volunteering with us for a while there are opportunities to get trained in first aid, scything, chainsaw and brushcutter use, off-road driving, water safety and leadership.

What kit/ uniform do I get as a South Downs Volunteer Ranger?

We have a generous uniform allowance to keep members of the VRS protected from the elements including waterproof jackets, boots, goggles and hats.

What are you doing to get more young people involved in volunteering?

Young people are currently underrepresented in the National Park and we’re working with some of our younger volunteers to try to fix this. We are piloting volunteer Youth Ambassador roles to give young volunteers a louder voice and influence the opportunities we offer to make them more appealing.

Can you help me to get more volunteers for my project?

Yes, join our Volunteering Network and add your opportunities to our volunteering map. You can also join our twice-yearly network meetings and find out how other people in the National park are recruiting volunteers. One area to think about is how you’re promoting your project through social media – for example there might be a local community group on Facebook you could ask for help.