Thames Chase Volunteers
Thames Chase Volunteers
Thames Chase Volunteers
Thames Chase Volunteers

The Thames Chase Volunteers

We really do appreciate the time donated by our volunteers to support our work in so many different ways. Our volunteers, from the community, are the lifeblood that has brought us the success for Thames Chase through the last 30 years of landscape regeneration and development. The hard work they do in rejuvenating and preserving the Community Forest, hosting event, educating children and running the Forest Centre is unparalleled in ensuring a legacy is left for the future. Without them, we would simply not be able to deliver the wonderful services that is available for all.

Anyone can volunteer as we have a wide variety of opportunities and can usually match your interests regardless of background or experience. We just ask for a few hours each week or a commitment to support planned activities.

Volunteering opportunities for those who wish to become involved include:

Trustee Board Members - Thames Chase Trust is an environmental charity managing the work of Thames Chase Community Forest. The organisation promotes woodland creation, protects biodiversity, regenerates landscapes including derelict land, and works to improve access to the countryside for the local community and surrounding areas. The Trust is currently seeking trustees who are passionate about the countryside and creating a better environment working together to help implement the Thames Chase Plan (https://www.thameschase.org.uk/about-thames-chase/thames-chase-plan) If you would like to know more about the role of a trustee at Thames Chase or to apply for the position please click here: https://www.thameschase.org.uk/news-events/latest-news/thames-chase-trust-trustees Alternatively you can download the pdf document on the right hand side of this page.

Conservation Work - Join with one of our teams working in the open under a trained leader to carry out an array of duties throughout the Community Forest. These teams are at the heart of the many improvements and developments that you will see evolving in the Community Forest. There is also a dedicate team helping to manage and develop the community tree nursery.

Visitor Centre Volunteers - As the working centre and hub of the Community Forest the Centre offers an array of opportunities from helping to maintain the buildings and grounds to welcoming and engaging with visitors, carrying out administrative tasks, supporting the Centre shop, facilitating room hire and events, supporting children’s and other activities and much more to ensure the smooth running of our centre of operations.

Fund Raising - Supporting a wide variety of events and activities that promote the aims of the Thames Chase Plan and help provide the where with all to carry out our essential work

Education Volunteers - Education is fundamental to ensure the future of our natural environment and the Community Forest as a whole. Whether it is a school, youth group, family or individual, we need support in feeding, through various activities and programmes, the natural curiosity that we all share about the our environment.

Health and wellbeing – The use of the Forest for a range of opportunities to improve physical and mental health is a growing need and support for a varied programme from working with our walks team to survey, map and lead walks through the Forest, support yoga, meditation and mindfulness sessions to leading wellbeing will help to meet an expanding programme for the Community Forest.

 

Why volunteer for Thames Chase?

Becoming a volunteer can enrich your life by meeting new people or people with similar interest. You can learn a new skill or interest and your efforts on worthwhile projects whilst networking closely with individuals could help to build lifelong relationships. Helping to improve your area for local communities, will make a difference that will become part of something that will forever be part of our joint community memory. Volunteers can work indoors or outdoors contributing towards creating a safe, attractive and welcoming environment for everyone.

Where to find more information

We are very keen to welcome all to the Forest Centre in Pike Lane, Upminster, located just 10 minutes from the M25 and 1.5 miles from Upminster station. The Forest Centre is widely known as the hub of the Community Forest as here you will find handy and useful information about us and all those working to develop and maintain the Community Forest for local communities. You will also find a cafe, shop, historic farm buildings and plenty of events and activities all managed or supported by our volunteers. Why not pop in and have a chat? Come and join us, you will find it worthwhile.

 

Contact us

For further information please ring 01708 642970, or email enquiries@thameschase.org.uk or come along in person to the Thames Chase Forest Centre, Pike Lane, Upminster, RM14 3NS.

Charity No. 1115627

Company No. 5687558

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Community Tree Nursery - Volunteers needed

Do you enjoy the great outdoors and meeting new people from all walks of life?

Are you looking for an opportunity to offer your time and efforts to improve the environment and learn new skills along the way?

Thames Chase Trust is looking to create a team of volunteers to work with a new and enthusiastic member of staff to re-establish a community tree nursery at their Forest Centre in Pike Lane, Upminster. The tree nursery is aimed at helping to provide a stock of native trees for use throughout the Community Forest, particularly for use by our conservation volunteer teams.

This new group of volunteers will share in the development of the nursery to provide opportunities for students, schools, youth groups and families to learn about and get involved with the protection of the green environment and helping to leave a legacy for the future.

The group will meet once a week, on Wednesdays primarily but with scope to meet at weekends should interest be apparent, and undertake a variety of tasks. It isn’t all work however, you’ll also meet other people with similar interests to yourself, working in an enthusiastic team in a friendly environment. You’ll utilise your skills on worthwhile projects, for the benefit of the local community.

If you would like more information or if you would like to join the group, please email Alex Hewitt at alex.hewitt@thameschase.org.uk or ask at the Thames Chase Forest Centre reception for more information.


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