Join us as a volunteer – whether you have just a few hours or a few days per month. Just let us know you are interested via our CONTACT US page and we will get back to you to discuss how to get involved.
We’re passionate about making the South Downs National Park and the surrounding countryside a better place for everyone to enjoy. Volunteering with us is a fantastic way to help us champion environmental issues. Every volunteer makes a difference to our environment, communities and countryside that we’re so passionate about, and we value their contribution enormously. With your support, we can achieve even more.
Types of roles;
- Area Coordinators
- Researchers
- Web Administrator
- Field Researchers
More information:
We are looking for ‘area coordinators’ and ‘eyes & ears’ volunteers in East Sussex, West Sussex and Hampshire. You can give as much or as little time to working with us. If you are already working full or part time you can volunteer in your free time. There is no long term commitment.
By volunteering with us you’ll be helping to find positive solutions for the issues facing the countryside and the environment. You can make a real difference as part of a friendly and passionate campaigning organisation. You don’t need any specific experience to join the team, just a love of the countryside, a desire to improve the environment and a willingness to get involved. The role is flexible and you’ll be able to choose how and when you support us.
Being a volunteer:
Our friendly team will provide you with training and support to develop in your role. You’ll gain valuable skills and experience through your volunteering and help save our rivers.
Volunteering will help us champion environmental issues such as the climate emergency, renewable energy, biodiversity and sustainable transport.
By applying your skills and experience you can make a real difference and be a central part of a friendly and passionate campaign organisation.
Some local issues require us to investigate planning applications and development that impact the countryside. If you can, local visits are a good way of understanding the impact of a development. Also, a key part of the role is to liaise with local organisations and other conservation bodies helping them get support; signposting them onto and linking them up to organisations that can help them.
Being the eyes and ears of the SDN will help the SDN understand the local situation.
The skills you need
- An interest in the countryside and environmental issues
- An interest in working with others to achieve a common objective
- Happy carrying out tasks independently and as part of a team
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Access to a computer and the internet at home
- Enjoy volunteering
- A flexible attitude
What’s in it for you
- Use your skills and experience to contribute to the success of our environmental cause and make a positive difference to the countryside
- Meet like-minded people and enjoy being part of a team
- Enhance your CV by developing new skills and gaining valuable experience
- We’ll support you to develop in your volunteering role and provide you with relevant training
- We’ll give you a reference for your future work or volunteering
- If you wish – the opportunity to attend meetings with outside organisation as the SDN representative
- Be part of a team helping to tackle environmental and community issues.
- Play an important role in helping bring our great rivers back to full health
- Develop new skills and gain valuable insight into the power of citizen science
- Take part in social events and workshops, on a variety of topics affecting the community and environment if you have time.
We provide out-of-pocket travel expenses
You will be based at home
The South Downs Network (formerly the South Downs Campaign) was launched over 30 years ago, and volunteers have been at the heart of our successes. The SDN covers the whole of the South Downs National Park in East Sussex, West Sussex and Hampshire as well as parts of Brighton & Hove City Council. We also look at the wider issues affecting this part of the south east.
Our proactive network has evolved from the ‘South Downs Campaign’, where for over 20 years prior to the formation of the South Downs National Park we brought 160 local, regional and national groups together, to fight for National Park designation. Following this achievement, the South Downs Network was formed in 2010 with the mission to protect the Park and to raise any future concerns within the SDNPA.
The South Downs Network (SDN) is currently made up of over 40 independent groups and charities across the South Downs National Park including organisations such as CPRE and the Wildlife Trusts in Hampshire and Sussex (for a list of member organisations see Our Members | South Downs Network).