'The wardens were a great laugh to work with and I would be interested in finding out about long term volunteering opportunities with the Trust.'
Prince's Trust Volunteer
Who
Prince’s Trust Volunteers (PTV), team 31
The project
Ten Prince’s Trust Volunteers form Barnstaple spent a week at Exmoor Basecamp working at various north Devon properties including Watersmeet, Countisbury and Morte. The trip fulfilled the residential and team challenge aspect of their 12 week course. During their stay the volunteers worked on several different tasks including hedge planting, scrub clearance and laying foundations for a new car park.
Their words...
'I got to know I was capable of working with others.'
Prince's Trust Volunteer
'A very fulfilling week for both volunteers and group leaders, it made the Prince's Trust Volunteers more aware of their local area.
Graham Matchett, PTV Group Leader
What the young people gained
- Improved communication skills
- Tolerance while working and living with others
- An understanding of why conservation work is carried out and the diverse work of the National Trust
What the project achieved…
'Projects like this are an opportunity to fulfil work tasks that may be expensive in terms of time or contractors by the warden’s team alone.'
Head Warden, Watersmeet
'Conservation tasks are an excellent tool for developing young staff and volunteers. Quite often it can be very satisfying working with a group and witnessing their development.'
Warden, Morte
'It is an opportunity to make good use of basecamps and other accommodation while engaging with the local community and wider communities of interest.'
Basecamp Warden, Exmoor Basecamp
'Quite often the Trust has not been seen as relevant to young people. By offering these opportunities the Trust can try and challenge that view. It is important to remember that young people will be the future members, customers, staff and volunteers.'
Basecamp Warden, Exmoor Basecamp
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