Volunteering
We’re looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to help bring their skills, knowledge and experience into the council’s Parks and Countryside Services and our partner organisations to provide a positive impact across our parks and greenspaces.
Developing opportunities for our residents to gain new skills and gain new experiences whilst helping to making our parks and greenspaces as accessible, enjoyable, and biodiverse as possible is one of our key priorities.
Volunteering plays a huge role in adding value to what our staff deliver through organised activities. There are different ways you can get involved in volunteering in our parks and green spaces which can range from joining one of our volunteer teams to supporting your local friends group.
Volunteering opportunities
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join our Nature Conservation Volunteer teams on Mondays from 10am to 3.30pm. These conservation activities can include scrub-clearance, removing invasive species, timber repair work, orchard maintenance and occasionally tree-planting. The sites which we work on change each week and you will be sent a work programme for the upcoming season when you have joined.
You do not need to have any special qualifications or expertise and we welcome volunteers of all skill levels. However, we do want volunteers who:
- show they can be reliable and committed
- are willing to learn
- work well as part of a team and individually
- care about the quality of their work
- have a positive attitude towards work
Commitment
You do not need to commit to a specific amount of time as a volunteer though a minimum of two sessions per year is expected to remain as a listed volunteer. We ask that you communicate clearly and ahead of time if you are unable to make a particular session.
Application
Please complete the volunteering form by clicking on the green button below. Once completed a member of our team will be in touch to arrange a taster session. After this, if you would like to and are invited back you will be given the Volunteer Welcome Pack and be added to the contact list.
Apply for volunteering opportunities
Join a friends group
For more information on joining a Friends group to help protect and enhance your local park. New Friends group applications are also welcome.
Other local opportunities with our partners
See the range of other local activities available through partner organisations such as Wildlife Trust, Luton and Dunstable Conservation Volunteers and GoodGym
- Luton and Dunstable Conservation Volunteers – [Link to be provided]
- Wildlife Trust: The Wildlife Trust manage a few of our countryside sites including Warden and Galley Hill SSSI, Dallow Downs SSSI and Bradgers Hill. They have a full range of volunteer activities which you can sign up to volunteer
- Penrose Roots: Penrose Roots have a ‘recovery garden’ on New Bedford Road. The project brings people together, nurturing and growing friendships, not just vegetables. We help people become happier, healthier, and job-ready through various learning opportunities
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Edible High Town: Edible High Town looks after 8 little patches on public land in High Town, Luton. People of all ages and abilities come together to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers for all to share. They meet to garden on Friday mornings and you can garden in your own time once you're set up.
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GoodGym- From hanging curtains for Mr H because he can't manage it on his own, to shovelling a tonnes of compost for the community gardens so they can grow vegetables - every GoodGym session is different. Volunteers often help support activities in parks and greenspaces including litter picks and conservation work