Valuing volunteers in the valley!
- Lee Valley
- Jun 2
- 3 min read
Its #VolunteersWeek and we want to shine the light on the unsung heroes of the park, our volunteers. From repairing and restoring vital assets to litter picks and planting – see what’s involved in being a volunteer in Lee Valley Regional Park.
Opportunities for all
The park is so varied with open spaces, gardens, sporting venues, marinas, fisheries and more, so whether you have an existing interest or are looking to explore something new, you’ll be able to take your pick. Here’s just a selection of the opportunities on offer in the park:
Day in the life
Hear from our volunteer, Linda, who is an honorary warden at Silvermeade, Broxbourne. She gets stuck into habitat works and has been monitoring Water Voles in the area too
‘Under the expert guidance of Ranger, Rob Hawkins and Assistant Ranger, Olivia Chamberlain, volunteers have been improving the habitat at Silvermeade for Water Voles and getting the site ready for conservation grazing later in the season.
Regular volunteer days have enabled fast progress. Ditches in the enclosures are cleared on a six year cycle, so that Water Voles and other species are able to move to adjoining water courses if they are disturbed. The ditch cleared in recent months was home to this Water Vole last summer, and there was plenty of evidence that the resident population is thriving.
Water Vole at Silvermeade will benefit from these habitat improvements. Water Vole droppings, which are known as a ‘latrine’ when the Water Vole repeatedly revisits the same spot.
Next was some tree works. Clearing trees or pollarding older stumps helps to increase the light levels reaching the water and encourages emergent vegetation such as sedge to grow. Water Voles feed on the sedge (and hundreds of other plant species) and use it as cover, as well as sometimes weaving nests from it.
Arisings from volunteer work stays on site, and wood from pollarded trees is used to create dead hedges or log piles, great habitat sites for invertebrates. While we created this one, we were lucky to see a Goldcrest in a neighbouring tree, who will no doubt be pleased at the increase in food source that this pile will bring.
The artistically created wood pile with its creators Claudia and Bob, volunteers
Thank you to Lee Valley Regional Park for providing the opportunity to take part in activities which improve the state of nature by increasing biodiversity.’
Valuing our volunteers
Making sure our volunteers feel valued and part of the team is so important to ensure they’re motivated and want to continue to lend a hand. Here are some of the things we have in place:
Uniform provided
Tea and coffee while working
Departments arrange thank you events and trips – most recently our Ranger arranged a scavenger hunt for the volunteers
Providing training
Tiered benefits system that includes discounts at our venues
Annual volunteer awards to recognise those who go above and beyond
Here are some quotes from our volunteers that show how much they feel valued in their role:
‘…the fact that Lee Valley has put in a system which recognises, incentivises and rewards its volunteers” – Sonny, Events volunteer
“…I look back when I have finished the job I have done and I can see that I have made a difference to Lee Valley (Regional) Park, but I also think that the Rangers and the people who run the Lee Valley (Regional) Park Authority do express their gratitude, so I think that we are all well aware that we are appreciated” – Murray, Conservation volunteer for the Rangers
To ensure we’re providing the best for our volunteers our organisation is assessed by Investing in Volunteers, we have now held this accreditation for eight years.
Hear from our Volunteers Officer Jess about how this accreditation has helped our volunteer service
#VolunteersWeek got you inspired? Apply to become a volunteer today
