Volunteering in the South Downs

Volunteers Week 2-8 June

Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers!

‘I want to take the opportunity of Volunteers Week to thank the amazing work our volunteers do year round. Without the thousands of hours you put in restoring nature, looking after our heritage sites and improving public access, the South Downs wouldn’t be the beautiful and vibrant place it is. There is also a lot of evidence to show that volunteering is good for the people who are doing it, especially outdoors in nature. So please come and join our amazing group of volunteers, help make the South Downs an even more special place and top up your own wellbeing at the same time’

– Siôn McGeever Chief Executive Officer

Why volunteer with us?

The South Downs National Park has inspirational and varied landscapes, internationally important wildlife, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant market towns and villages.

As a volunteer you will play a vital role in helping us achieve our National park purposes.

Purpose 1: to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area

Purpose 2: to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public.

What are the benefits ?

Volunteering with us can have significant benefits for you, including connecting and socialising with others, learning new skills, or using existing skills to benefit others, gain valuable work experience, provide a sense of purpose, feel part of a team and improve physical and psychological wellbeing, and particularly within the South Downs National Park, a greater connection with nature.

What we do

We have roles to suit a range of interests, many of our roles don’t require previous experience and all of our roles are open to everyone aged 18 or over.

Opportunities include practical conservation and access improvement, wildlife surveys, helping manage invasive species, providing advice and guidance to visitors at Seven Sisters Country Park, as well as a whole calendar of public events and a variety of community projects.

Please note our practical conservation opportunities vary according to landscape, season, access to land and wildlife cycles.

The South Downs National Park Authority supports several core areas of volunteering:

• South Downs National Park Volunteers – comprised of over 350 volunteers who deliver landscape and wildlife conservation, events and community access roles in support of the National Park priorities.
• South Downs Youth Action – a volunteering programme tailored to young people aged 16-25.
• Microvolunteering – a quick and easy way for anyone and everyone to make a difference in the South Downs (and beyond!)
• A network of wider volunteering groups across the National Park.

Apply Now

Or for more information email volunteering@southdowns.gov.uk