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Volunteering at Formby
We're so grateful for the support of volunteers who help to keep Formby accessible and enjoyable for everyone, because while the landscape may appear wild, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. Find out how you too can get involved with volunteering at Formby, with many positions available from repair work to office roles.
Formby beach car park closed for major conservation project
Victoria Road car park closed until spring 2026 for conservation work - no pedestrian access through the work site. Please don’t travel to us by car on sunny days. Get the train to Formby station or visit alternative beaches along the Sefton and Wirral Coast. Thanks for your understanding whilst we enhance this special space.
What can I do at Formby?
We rely on the support of volunteers to carry out important conservation and maintenance work at Formby's nature haven.
Seasonal volunteering roles
There are many different types of volunteering opportunities, but seasonal roles help support the facilities and visitor welcome team during busy holiday periods. This may include anything from litter picking to interacting with people who love to visit.
Supporting nature at Formby
More regular volunteer groups support the team on a set day every week. They focus their efforts on specific projects, which helps bring a real sense of achievement. Example projects include:
• Caring for Formby's woodlands
• Restoring rare dune heath habitats at Larkhill through tasks such as invasive scrub removal
• Rejuvenating the popular Wicks Lake area
• Helping maintain infrastructure and facilities including fences, pathways and the boardwalk
Why join us?
There are lots of reasons to join us; making the move to volunteer could be the best decision you ever make.
- Become part of a friendly and dedicated team
- Meet people from all walks of life and forge new friendships
- Utilise your existing skills and learn new ones
- Strengthen your CV and help to develop your career
- Enjoy the great outdoors
- Learn about the history of this special place.
How can I get involved at Formby?
To see our latest volunteering opportunities and register your interest please follow the link below and search for Formby.
The impact of volunteers
These are just some of the incredible achievements that our team of volunteers made happen last year:
• Welcomed over 1 million visitors
• Maintained the entire path network across the site
• Removed 110m of unsafe boardwalk and repaired 60m of damaged and rotten boardwalk
• Removed over 2,500m of old and unsafe fencing and repaired a further 2,300m of fencing
• Removed over 1,000 redundant tree guards
• Installed over 50 dragon’s teeth posts
• Maintained five natterjack toad pools and three young pine plantations
• Spend 305 hours pulling ragwort and removed 1,800 square metres of invasive gorse
Other ways to get involved
As well as our regular Formby volunteers, we work with National Trust conservation volunteer groups based in the North West. These groups work at several National Trust places in Merseyside, Cheshire and beyond.
Merseyside NT Environmental Volunteers
At the Merseyside National Trust Environmental Volunteers there are tasks for all levels of fitness: you could be clearing scrub, maintaining woodland, repairing fences or footpaths, conserving sand dunes or planting trees and hedges.
For more details about this group please visit the Merseyside volunteers page or contact us by email.
Manchester National Trust Volunteers
The Manchester National Trust Volunteers are an outdoor conservation group that help with practical conservation work on properties in the North West. Have a look at the Manchester National Trust Volunteers page for inspiration and information, or for more details contact us by email.
Local community volunteer litter picking groups
We're so grateful to everyone who helps keep Formby special by giving their time to clear litter left behind. You can get involved by supporting a local community volunteer litter picking group.
- Formby and Freshfield Beach Litter Angels - for details of upcoming events join their Facebook page or email beachlitterangels@gmail.com
- Marine Conservation Society Formby - for details of upcoming events join their Facebook page or email greatbritishbeachcleanformby@yahoo.co.uk
Corporate Litter picks
A group litter pick with your colleagues can be great for team building and an opportunity to get outdoors and connect with nature. You'll also be helping to protect NT Formby's precious wildlife. To find out more about organising a corporate litter pick please email formby@nationaltrust.org.uk
Thank you
Thank you to all our volunteers who give their time to support the National Trust in many different roles.
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