Skip to content

Home ❯ Get involved ❯ Volunteering ❯ CPRE Hampshire Hedge Volunteer

CPRE Hampshire Hedge Volunteer

The Hampshire Hedge project centres around the connecting up of existing, planting new and rejuvenating of, old hedgerow in Hampshire, connecting up the New Forest and the South Downs National Park. We are looking for volunteers to help us with this work.

Volunteer Role: Hedgerow Creation Volunteer, Hedgerow Heroes
Volunteer Manager: Hedgerow Project Officer, Ellie Banks
Where you will be based: Planting sessions at a mixture of days across the project area, in Copythorne, Romsey, Hursley or Ampfield.

Our Hampshire Hedge project centres around the connecting up of existing, planting new and rejuvenating of old hedgerow in Hampshire over the next 3 years, connecting up the New Forest and the South Downs National Parks. This will provide connectivity and increased habitat for wildlife, as well the many benefits to farming and ecosystem services that we all benefit from. The project hopes to enhance the quality of the landscape, grow local community engagement, and raise awareness of the importance of hedgerows for wildlife, climate, and sustainable farming. This national campaign was launched in 2021 to extend the UK hedgerows network by 40% by 2050.

Planting and restoring hedgerows can prevent soil erosion, increase biodiversity by providing wildlife habitat for many species of birds, insects, butterflies and small mammals and can increase the overall aesthetic appeal of a landscape. Hedgerows also reduce flooding and the pollution going into our waterways, as well as removing carbon from the atmosphere reducing the impacts of climate change.

Through volunteering with us you will be helping to look after our fantastic countryside and ensuring the success of this vital project for CPRE Hampshire.

We provide out-of-pocket travel expenses should this be required.

Why we want you

We’re looking to build a team of volunteers for our local Hedgerow Heroes project, to enhance the quality of the landscape and grow local community engagement and support for CPRE.

You’ll join a group of enthusiastic volunteers helping to carry out a range of tasks to support hedgerow restoration, such as hedge-laying, ground clearance and tree planting. There may also be surveying and general conservation tasks to help restore and monitor the wildlife and landscape value of the countryside.

Every Thursday, from November until March this winter, we will be planting hedgerows to build the Hampshire Hedge network in the centre of Hampshire. We will also be running a monthly weekend session to plant hedgerows. Through volunteering with us you will be helping to look after our fantastic countryside and ensuring the success of this vital project for CPRE Hampshire. Volunteers must be aged 16 or over, or otherwise accompanied by an adult.

What you will be doing
  • Practical, hands on tasks e.g. clearance, digging, planting, hedge laying
  • Monitoring and surveying of existing hedgerows to assess “hedge health”
  • Biodiversity monitoring through ecological surveys of hedgerows before and after enhancement
  • Volunteering alongside others as part of a team
  • Representing CPRE ‘on the ground’ to the public and passers-by
The skills you need
  • A keen interest in the countryside and environmental skills
  • The ability to undertake moderate physical activity
  • Willingness to follow health and safety guidance, including use of tools and personal protective equipment
  • A flexible approach to volunteering availability as tasks will be on various days/times
  • Ability to make your own way to and from the task site
What’s in it for you
  • Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team
  • Help hedges thrive and grow in your area
  • Enhance your CV by developing new skills and gaining valuable experience
  • We will provide you with relevant instruction and supervision around hedgerow planting and management to undertake this role
  • We’ll support you to develop and be safe in your volunteering role and provide you with all relevant health and safety information
  • We’ll give you a reference for your future work or volunteering
  • Get involved with social events and workshops online and face to face
Hedge planting dates

November 2024:

  • Thursday 21st
  • Thursday 28th

December 2024:

  • Sunday 1st ** WEEKEND SPECIAL**
  • Thursday 5th
  • Thursday 12th
  • Thursday 19th

January 2025:

  • Thursday 9th
  • Saturday 11th ** WEEKEND SPECIAL**
  • Thursday 16th
  • Thursday 23rd
  • Thursday 30th

February 2025:

  • Saturday 1st ** WEEKEND SPECIAL**
  • Thursday 6th
  • Thursday 13th
  • Thursday 20th
  • Thursday 27th

March 2025:

  • Thursday 6th
  • Thursday 13th
  • Saturday 15th ** WEEKEND SPECIAL**
  • Thursday 20th
  • Thursday 27th

Planting days will be either at Copythorne, Romsey, Hursley or Ampfield.  Please apply below and more details will be sent closer to the time. Alternatively, email hampshirehedge@cprehampshire.org.uk to be signed up to our regular hedgerow e-newsletter.

Timings are from 10am till 3pm.

Hampshire Hedge Role Description

Hampshire Hedge Role Profile

 

Apply Today

Subscribe to our newsletter

We’ll send you the latest news and information on our work, campaigns, fundraising, events and other ways you can support our vision for a thriving countryside.

We hold and manage your details in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. We won’t share, sell or swap your information with other organisations for their own marketing purposes. You can read our Privacy Policy page for more information.