Green Academies Project at Morden Hall Park

Morden Hall Park is one of six National Trust places in England and Wales chosen to take part in the Green Academies Project (GAP). The project offers young people the chance to gain practical conservation skills and experience in habitat conservation, food growing and horticulture in local green spaces alongside experienced rangers.

Get a taste for the outdoors with a GAP Taster Day

Are you aged 11-24? Do you want to improve local green spaces, learn new skills and get advice on how to use these skills to get further training, education and employment? Monthly GAP Taster Days could be for you.

Sign up for one day, or come along every month. Taster days take place on the second Sunday of every month at Morden Hall Park. Register for the mailing list to receive information about the next one, no commitment required.

Morden Hall Park has a variety of habitats that are managed according to a long-term plan for their conservation. You will help with conservation tasks in all of our habitats including removal of invasive species, wetland cutting and clearing, hedge-laying, gardening, weeding and hedge-cutting. There will also be opportunities to try something a bit different on taster days offered by our partners.

We also offer closed-group taster sessions that we tailor to the needs of your group. Past groups include Orchard Hill College, The Princes Trust and Cricket Green School.

GAP Urban Ranger Club

Be a vital part of creating a community hub where local people can build a connection with wildlife. Work as a team to take ownership of a rarely seen part of the park; making it a place where wildlife thrives and communities can share special moments together. You will learn about different kinds of wildlife and track the increase in species on-site as a result of the habitats you will create for them.

We will provide you with all the support you need, including a small budget to finance the project and training and advice from National Trust staff and our partners. You will receive project management training when you first meet and will carry out the task as a real-life project.

GAP traineeships: A stepping stone to your future

If you’re aged 16-24 and want a nationally recognised qualification working with National Trust professionals, apply for our GAP Traineeship in Gardening and Horticulture. Traineeships offer skills and advice as well as, in partnership with Capel Manor College, a valuable grounding in the classroom.

Starting on 20 February 2017, From Plot to Plate is our updated GAP traineeship programme lasting 18 weeks (including a 2 week Easter break and 1 week half term break) and requiring a time commitment from you of one day a week doing work experience and one day a week in the classroom. Work experience is offered every Friday in Morden Hall Park with the National Trust or in surrounding green spaces with our partners. Classroom sessions in English maths and employment skills take place at Capel Manor College Crystal Palace Campus.

Skills you could learn on the programme include: planning a vegetable plot, creating no dig beds, composting, sowing seeds, propagation, pest management, weed identification and harvesting and selling produce.

Our traineeship in gardening and horticulture could help open the door to your future by teaching you high quality practical skills employers are looking for. You will become part of a team creating and maintaining a kitchen garden, designing and preparing your garden area and later harvesting and selling your produce. We will work closely with you as an individual to help you reach your goals and full potential, even after your course ends.

Trainees can choose to receive lunch free of charge and can reclaim travel expenses.

Apply now

Apply for taster days, Urban Ranger Club or traineeships by entering Morden Hall Park here https://myvolunteering.nationaltrust.org.uk/opportunity-search or contact Hattie about taster days, Urban Ranger Club and traineeships on 020 8545 6850 or at Hattie.Clayton@nationaltrust.org.uk.