Volunteer Network
On this page the Friends of Hedgemead Park have put together a list of useful information for volunteer groups under the following headings:
- Volunteering on land owned by BANES
- Organisations offering support
- Practical Help
- Resources
- Natural interest
We welcome any further contributions from Friend’s groups.
We’re pleased to confirm that Mali Kedward has been appointed as Volunteer Liaison Officer for BANES Parks and is a good link between volunteers groups and BANES:
If you would like to join the Green Spaces Network WhatsApp group, please contact:
Volunteering on land owned by BANES
Information for Friends Groups – suggested structure of group, responsibility re small events (up to 25 people), insurance advice.
https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/information-and-resources-friends-parks-groups
Insurance
BANES provide limited insurance for volunteers as detailed on their information page, covering working at ground level and using hand tools. It is advisable to have public liability insurance for additional cover e.g. using ladders and working on raised beds.
As an example Friends of Hedgemead used Zurich in the past but currently have a policy with Markell Insurance which covers volunteers as “employees”.
Risk assessments
BANES requires risk assessments to be completed for all group activities.
Contact Mali Kedward, Volunteer Liaison Officer for latest BANES template:
Planning a large event, ie. more than 25 people attending
All the information needed. Start planning at least 6 months in advance……
https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/book-outdoor-event
Report it
Useful service for reporting problems in parks and open spaces such as fly tipping, damage to infrastructure – benches, bins, railings, walls. Follow link below to submit required information and use the map to add a location pin of site of problem. Upload a photo if you have one. Our experience is that the council response is usually the same or next working day
https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/report-problem-parks-or-public-spaces
Organisations offering support to voluntary groups
Your Park
Working name of Your Park Bristol & Bath, a registered charity.
Projects, support and fundraising for public green spaces, those who use them, and volunteer in them.
Bath Area Growers Network
Network of community projects growing regeneratively for food, community and nature.
Very comprehensive site which apart from detailing their projects also includes a resources page covering equipment and where to hire/borrow locally, information about national grants, and neglected patches of land that have been identified as suitable plots for the community to work on and develop.
South West in Bloom
http://southwestinbloom.org.uk
South West in Bloom is one of 16 regions making up RHS Britain in Bloom. Their annual competition is open to entry by community groups who are aiming to improve the local environment by planting trees, shrubs, flowers, landscaping, conservation and recycling projects.
It’s Your Neighbourhood is another campaign from the RHS which is not competitive but recognises and rewards community groups working to improve their local environment however small the project.
Details of all the above on the South West in Bloom website
Bath In Bloom
Local branch of above. Support local groups in entering the local competition. Very active around Bath supporting local initiatives to improve our environment and with sponsorship from local businesses can offer working party sessions with volunteer friends groups.
Practical Help
Bath Share & Repair
https://bathlibraryofthings.org.uk
The repair shops operate in Bath and North East Somerset, and there are several hubs. They also have a Library of Things to hire out including a lot of items for gardening, as well as items to hire for events.
Gardenalia
http://www.gardenalia.co.uk/index.html
Treasure trove on the London Road. Open Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun from 11.00am – 5pm (closed during winter months, reopens in March).
Antique and reclaimed garden items, tools, pots, some plants. Will exchange tools.
Trees & Plants
All trees planted in BANES land must have a ‘tree passport’, an official document to show that it came for a supplier registered to move plants around the UK. This is a Defra requirement.
Resources
The Tree Register of Britain and Ireland
Charitable organisation run by volunteers. A unique database of over 270,000 of the most notable trees in Britain, Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Isles.
Records Champion Trees which are the tallest or possessing the widest girth of a tree of their type.
Volunteer will come and assess trees in local areas and provide a lot of valuable information about trees.
Avon Wildlife Trust
Based in Bristol but also covering Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucester and North Somerset. AWT manages 30 nature reserves and supports large and small community projects to reverse the decline of wild life. It also runs courses and study days teaching practical skills, and sells wildflower seeds.
Natural Interest
Bath Urban Treescape
https://www.bathurbantreescape.com
Tree trails to follow in Bath area. Park tree trails. Activities involving trees
Bath Natural History Society
Charitable society which organises lectures, workshops, walks and trips related to nature – birds, plants, invertebrates, mammals and fungi in and around Bath and further afield.
Website includes extensive list of links to nature-related organisations, and local self-guided walks to download.
