What we offer

A range of projects for both individuals and groups:

Team challenges (1 day events)
Secondments / advisory roles (projects lasting several months)

Some of the tasks we offer:

Woodland management – rhodie and scrub bashing.
Wetland – pond and lake clearance.
Heritage – ancient crafts such as hedgelaying and coppicing.
Gardening – edging work and bedding.
Habitats – bird feeding area, bat boxes.
Coastline – footpath conservation.
In-house – conservation cleaning.

Volunteers working at Embleton Links
© NTPL / David Levenson

Team challenges

Team challenges can be tailored to meet your business requirements. We cater for groups of all sizes, and can offer a one day ‘Megabash’, right through to a multiple day, ‘outward bound’ residential. Challenge days may also include a property tour or talk.

Projects in the past have included:

Constructing 50 bat boxes at Devil’s Punch Bowl, Surrey: starting a new bat colony in 2006.
Repairing 10m of drystone wall at Bosley Cloud, Cheshire.
Repairing over 50m of eroded footpath on the Dover cliffs.
Marshalling more than 1,500 Antiques Roadshow visitors.

A typical day

Arrival and welcome (9.30).
Task explanation and tool talk.
Project starts (10.00).
Break.
Lunch – either packed lunches, tearoom lunch or outside catering.
End and de-brief (4.30).

'This was a great experience for our team. We’ve got on with the job in hand and really worked together to achieve what we’ve done today. It’s been fantastic to see the difference we have made. Plus, where better than being in surroundings like this?'

Team Leader, e:on UK

'Ernst & Young has been working in partnership with the National Trust for 3 years, sending teams on conservation challenges throughout the year.

Participants benefit from developing team, leadership and communication skills whilst making a positive difference at the same time.

Our graduates are able to get a taste of how Ernst and Young are serious about staff development and being a responsible member of the business community.'

Martin Talbot, Ernst and Young Community Investment Manager.

Volunteers at Parkhead, Cornwall
© NTPL / Ian Shaw

Secondments / Advisory Roles

These roles are of flexible duration and are on a part-time or full-time basis. Timings range from a distinct, 40 hour project, for example, right up to a year or more.

Our organisation is incredibly diverse, therefore, we can offer opportunities in our policy and strategy, environmental practices, marketing, customer services, human resources, retail and community involvement departments.

These projects are ideal for individuals wishing to:

Refine their knowledge in a new working environment.
Share and learn valuable skills and expertise.
Move National Trust policy and working practices forward.
Experience the third sector.
Build confidence, communication and professional skills to transfer back to your workplace.
Pursue a personal passion for the environment, heritage and conservation.

Opportunities are available at our properties, regional and central offices.

Projects in the past have included:

Compilation of a Marketing and Communications strategy for the Trust’s Working Holiday programme, based at central office in Swindon.
Horticultural experience ‘Planting for the Future’ at Sheffield Park Gardens.
Retail experience and confidence building in the shop at Chedworth Roman Villa.

'My secondment was a fantastic learning opportunity. I enjoyed contributing to the wider community and getting involved in conservation work.

From a personal point of view, getting involved in Planting for the Future was extremely satisfying, knowing that I was part of something that will be of fantastic benefit for future generations.'

Simon Driver, American Express.

Please enquire about secondment opportunities by contacting the Employer Supported Volunteering Project Officer on 01793 817644.

Prudential group at Minnowburn, Northern Ireland