Green Angels Support Volunteer

Volunteer Role: Green Angels Support Volunteer
Reports To: Green Angels Project Officer
Term: 4 month period – ideally 3 days per week
Location: Hassall Green Nature Reserve, CW11 4XX

Project background

Green Angels is the Land Trust’s trademarked environmental training initiative which began in 2013 as a two-year BIG Lottery funded pilot at Liverpool Festival Gardens. The focus of the programme clearly demonstrates the value and importance of our charitable objectives by:

• Engaging communities with their local green spaces by providing free environmental training sessions for adults of all abilities to learn new skills and get involved in the outdoors.
• Promoting healthy living through encouraging time spent outdoors, benefiting both mental and physical health.
• Improving the environment through habitat creation – creating oases for wildlife.

Green Angels has expanded significantly over the past ten years and is currently operating on a growing number of sites around the country. A flagship programme for us is located at Hassall Green Nature Reserve (HGNR) in Sandbach, Cheshire. We have grant funding over the next five years which is enabling us to provide a comprehensive range of activities for the local community and this is an exciting opportunity for anyone who is looking for more in-depth experience in the environmental field.

Purpose of the support volunteer role

The Support Volunteer will be based at HGNR and will assist in the hands-on delivery of Green Angels activities, on and off-site activities, committing to a four-month in-depth work placement.

As the Green Angels Support Volunteer, you will need to be flexible and enjoy working with a wide variety of people. You will need to be a practical person who is passionate about the natural world and community engagement. You will support the delivery of practical, onsite projects and courses and support the Project Officer, trainees, and volunteers to make the most of their experience and time with Green Angels.

There may be some weekend work and travel involved as Green Angels is delivered at Hassall Green Nature Reserve and has the potential to encompass some activities in the local community. Ideally you will have good organisation and time management skills, the ability to work well independently and as part of a team. You will work directly with the Green Angels Project Officer, with other Land Trust colleagues and our sites’ managing partner staff.

What a Support Volunteer can expect

• You will work with groups of trainees and volunteers and have the opportunity to guide their experience and potentially lead small group activities under the supervision and guidance of the Green Angels Project Officer.
•  You will gain experience in practical nature conservation, group leadership & volunteer management, project planning, marketing & promotion.
• You will have access to the Land Trust’s internal compliance training programmes, such as Health and Safety, outdoor first aid and safeguarding.
• You will have a training budget allowance for external training courses relevant to the role.
• You will gain hands on, vocational experience within the environmental industry giving you the opportunity to enhance your employability chances and CV.
• You will have a 1:1 employability coaching session offering CV writing advice, interview preparation and advice on gaining employment in the environmental sector.
• There is the initial flexibility to design your Green Angels working hours to fit around any additional studying/work/commitments/personal circumstances.
• Branded “The Land Trust” clothing – t-shirt & waterproof coat.
• Reasonable travel expenses
• All tools, materials, and safety equipment to do the job will be provided.
• Occasional evening and weekend availability will be required.
• Due to the remote location of Hassall Green Nature Reserve the Support Volunteer will ideally have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle or be able to commute via public transport.

Roles and responsibilities 

• Assist with the opening and closing of Hassall Green Nature Reserve to facilitate the delivery of the Green Angels programme.
• Assist with the set up and delivery of the Green Angels programme and volunteering activities on site.
• Assist in the development of stakeholder relations and publicity for Green Angels and HGNR.
• Maintain positive/supportive and professional relationships with staff, trainees, and volunteers.
• Work with the local Green Angels Project Officer and managing partner to achieve the best results from courses for trainees and HGNR.
• With the support of the Green Angels Project Officer, you will be expected to anticipate and troubleshoot any problems that might arise and provide effective problem-solving techniques.
• Provide support in the preparation of refreshments for trainees and volunteers.
• Assist in the set up and delivery of Green Angels events as and when they arise.
• Attend community engagement events to promote the Green Angels project at Hassall Green Nature Reserve when required.

Personal Specification 

• Pro-active approach, using own initiative.
• A willingness to learn and take on new challenges.
• A passion and enthusiasm for the natural world
• Resourceful and flexible approach to work and challenges
• As Hassall Green Nature Reserve is a remote location with no public transportation links, the Support Volunteer would ideally have a driving licence and access to a vehicle.
•  Acceptance as a Support Volunteer Officer is subject to satisfactory ID checks and a satisfactory criminal records check of basic DBS clearance.

About the Land Trust

The Land Trust is a Registered Charity based in Warrington and operating nationally. We are leading the way in establishing new and sustainable ways to manage open space, on behalf of and in partnership with local communities. We have 80+ sites around the UK, many of which have been restored from industrial use and range from country parks to Sites of Special Scientific Interest, to urban pocket parks and Scheduled Ancient Monuments. We work with local partners, such as the Wildlife Trusts, The Conservation Volunteers and Groundwork to manage sites on the ground and liaise with communities. Our primary aim is the successful delivery of our five charitable objectives: environment; community cohesion; health; education; and economic benefits.

Equal Opportunity

The land trust is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in volunteer roles, we aim to ensure that no applicant or volunteer receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding

The Land Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who has contact with its services and colleagues.

Applications

Please email your CV and a letter of application expressing your interest in becoming a Green Angels Support Volunteer and explaining why you are suitable for the role, using the “Role and Responsibilities” and the “Personal Specification” sections above as a guide. Please send your application to recruitment@thelandtrust.org.uk.

Closing date: Midnight Friday 21 March 2025.

Full role description – click here