Join in, feel good
Reclaiming Green Places since 1959
The Conservation Volunteers
We’d like to say a big thank you to all the people who, by giving time and money, help The Conservation Volunteers to continue reclaiming green places. In the current economic climate, contributions are becoming increasingly necessary. Thank you to all of you who have decided to offer your support.
The Conservation Volunteers
1/ 3 Around one-third of the UK’s natural assets – including green spaces, rivers, wetlands and important wildlife habitats – are in danger of being lost to development or degraded through neglect.
Green places are being threatened
1 , %
playing fields sold off between 1979 and 1997
%
Only of the UK’s allotments remain From the UK National Ecosystem Assessment, June 2011
The UK does a great job of protecting the very best of its green places. National Parks, historic houses and gardens, and important nature reserves all have special planning protection – and the bonus of well-funded organisations to take care of them. But the everyday green places that people use are more vulnerable. Places like playing fields, allotments, and local parks do not have special protection. They are all under threat at a time when local councils are cutting budgets.
communities are being overlooked
Neglecting green places is a false economy. It’s bad for local neighbourhoods - and the poorest communities get hit the hardest. When routine maintenance is reduced, open areas become overgrown, rubbish starts to pile up and footpaths become choked. A general air of neglect encourages vandalism and graffiti. And before long, a once-loved open space starts to become a magnet for anti-social behaviour, and a cost to society.
In the poorest neighbourhoods, neglect of local green places can really hurt. The effect on children in particular, is damaging. Without safe and welcoming places to play, children are held back in their social, physical and educational development.
Green places are necessary fOr emOtiOnal, physical and sOcial well-beinG
Parks, fields and woods are great places to give young people learning opportunities that they cannot get in a classroom setting. They’re great places for exercise and physical activity – helping people get fit and feel good. They’re great for growing fresh, healthy food – and bringing people together to share the work and share the harvest. A well-used green place is a classroom, a gym, a playground and a sanctuary. It is a place that is good for people as well as for wildlife.
hear real tweets “looking after green places isn’t just about caring for nature. it’s about caring for people as well.”
conservation Volunte The Conservation Volu of thousands of peopl local green places. Thr environmental project network of 2,000 com people – every day, an joining in and feeling g all weathers to plant tr They clear footpaths a stiles. They transform into thriving communi
ers on the ground unteers help hundreds e each year to reclaim ough our own ts and through our munity groups, we see nd all across the UK – good. They head out in ees and hedgerows. and build steps and derelict urban spaces ty allotments.
Green hubs Our Green hubs are at the heart of the conservation Volunteers network. each hub acts as a focal point for care for local green places. with local councils, businesses and communities, we help to reclaim the places that might otherwise be neglected.
Green hUbs – sinGletOn
The Conservation Volunteers
SINGLETON
The Singleton Environment Centre in Ashford, Kent, is a haven of peace just three miles from a busy town centre, international train station and the M20 motorway. An eco-friendly meeting place and cafe is run by The Conservation Volunteers on behalf of Ashford Borough Council and is the gateway to the Ashford Community Woodland – a wonderful green space designed and managed by the local community with help from The Conservation Volunteers.
Green hUbs – sKeltOn GranGe
the skelton Grange environment centre in leeds was opened 20 years ago. since then, this innovative educational centre, managed in partnership with national Grid, has enriched more than 100,000 lives. inner city areas have some of the most neglected green spaces, but skelton Grange’s six acre nature reserve offers children and their families the opportunity to get close to nature and learn through play. holiday play schemes, educational visits by local schools, community events, volunteer placements and training courses for adults are run out of the centre.
Green hUbs – railway fields
21 Kinds Of bUtterfly haVe been recOrded, as well as mOre than 60 species Of birds
The Conservation Volunteers
RAILWAY FIELDS
In the heart of Haringey, North London, the Railway Fields site is looked after by The Conservation Volunteers on behalf of the London Borough of Haringey and local communities. This former disused railway goods yard now boasts a Green Flag award for environmental quality. Lush vegetation blocks out noise from the surrounding streets, and, over the last few years, 21 kinds of butterfly have been recorded as well as more than 60 species of birds.
Our volunteers are an inspiration
Michael, 21, has been deaf since birth and since leaving school had struggled to secure a permanent job. But when Michael discovered The Conservation Volunteers, volunteering with his local group became his lifeline. Undeterred by a 52-mile round bus trip, his efforts were rewarded with a new social life, practical skills, new pastimes and passions. More importantly, it set Michael on the path to securing his dream job as a gardener. Michael is now a passionate supporter of The Conservation Volunteers, and regularly visits his former school to inspire young deaf children and share his positive experiences of volunteering. In 2011, Michael was named The Conservation Volunteer of the Year.
“All my family are very proud of me. I want to share my experiences with other deaf people and explain the benefits of voluntary work. Last year I got a full time job in horticulture and I’m very happy in my work. If I can do it, so can you.” Michael, Conservation Volunteer of the Year
“
if i hadn’t found the conservation Volunteers, i don’t know what i’d be doing now. probably still doing nothing, going nowhere with my life. now i feel like i’ve got direction in life. a purpose.” Tom, once homeless Conservation Volunteer
“today’s conservation volunteers are out there – in large numbers – taking responsibility for their local green spaces. it’s inspiring work, bringing enormous benefits to their local communities.
”
Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director, Forum for the Future
“The Conservation Volunteers are the unsung heroes of the environment. Who does the back breaking work of digging ditches and clearing them? Who turns out on a cold day? The Conservation Volunteers – and we all owe them a great debt in my view.” sir david attenborough, Vice-president, the conservation Volunteers
...and we can pro they need the conservation together the man people who are h the UK’s green pl we help to under their vital work:
vide the support
n Volunteers bring y thousands of helping to care for laces. here’s how pin and support
Our Green hubs act as a focal point for concern about local green places, recruiting and training volunteers, holding stores of much needed tools and equipment, and acting as a base from which our minibuses take volunteers out to work in local green places.
Our Chestnut Fund gives out around 50 small grants every year to help conservation volunteering groups get started and keep going.
how we help...
netwOrK Our community network supports 2,000 small community organisations, working on their own initiative to look after the green places that matter to them. we provide insurance and offer discounts on tools and materials.
how we help...
Our trained project leaders pass on traditional skills such as hedge laying and coppicing – vital if green places are to be well looked after. training in skills such as teamworking and health and safety mean that our thousands of volunteers get a welcoming and enjoyable experience.
...but we need your help too A creeping neglect and decline of local green places can be halted. But it requires skills, commitment, and continuous, small scale action. Without The Conservation Volunteers to mobilise and support local goodwill, it won’t happen. And without people who will support our efforts, we can’t make it happen.
The Conservation Volunteers receive no core funding from government to carry out this vital work. With further cuts in local council budgets, we are working hard to see how we can continue our commitment to reclaiming green places. Please give what you can to help local volunteers and communities to reclaim the UK’s green places. Join in, feel good.
it costs:
£250
£100 £25
to provide tools and equipment for a new Conservation Volunteer
to help a new community environmental project get started via our Chestnut Fund
to train a volunteer project leader to help others learn new skills and look after green places
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I would like The Conservation Volunteers to treat all donations I have made for the four years prior to this date and all donations I make from the date of this declaration, until I notify you otherwise, as Gift Aid donations. I understand to qualify for Gift Aid, what I pay in income tax or capital gains tax must at least equal the amount The Conservation Volunteers will claim in the tax year, currently 25p for every £1 donated. To update your contact preferences or stop mailings please contact TCV, Sedum House, Mallard Way, Potteric Carr, Doncaster DN4 8DB, telephone 01302 388 883 or email information@tcv.org.uk
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