Volunteering in our Parks

Volunteering in our parks and open spaces

Volunteers make an important contribution to keeping our parks and open spaces green and tidy for everyone to enjoy.

Our volunteer programme aims to increase the ways in which people can get involved and contribute to maintaining and improving our green open spaces as well as supporting local communities.  Volunteering can also help you gain skills and increase confidence.

We can supply or loan equipment and offer training or advice in areas like managing health and safety or safe use of tools as well as guidance in conservation management

There are several ways you can get involved and volunteering opportunities.

Joining or starting a ‘friends’ group

Friends groups are community run groups that help with all aspects of looking after a local open space. This can include practical tasks such as maintenance and litter picking or applying for grants or running fundraising events to help with park improvements. There may already be a friends group for your local park. For more information visit our Parks Friends Group page

Conservation volunteering

Conservation volunteers help look after our wilder open spaces, such as Southampton Common, Jurds Lake and along the Greenways. Work in these areas usually take place between September to February to prevent disturbance to the wildlife, however there are tasks, such as path maintenance, that can be carried out all year round. If you would like details of conservation volunteering opportunities, you can register your interest by emailing parksvolunteers@southampton.gov.uk

Monitoring and recording

Biological recordings are really helpful as they provide information about the population of certain species and the health of the habitats around the city.  Species monitoring usually requires a long term commitment although there are opportunities that require less time commitment such as 'The Big Garden Birdwatch' and  'The Big Butterfly Count'. There are also one off recording events, 'Bioblitz', that take place over one day at various sites around the city

Corporate social responsibility volunteering

Our parks and open spaces offer a wide range of corporate volunteering opportunities for businesses and groups who are keen to improve their local environment. Tasks could include path construction or clearance, pond clearance, woodland maintenance and seasonal planting.

Litter picks

Litter picks take place all over the city and are organised by friends or community groups, individuals or by the City Services Engagement Team. There are regular litter picks at different sites around the city or ones that just take place when the need arises. We also have some amazing residents that litter-pick regularly around their neighbourhood, either on their own or with family members.

Leading walks

Helping others to enjoy our open spaces by leading a guided walk. We can offer training to increase your confidence/knowledge of a particular area

If you interested in volunteering, or would just like some more information, contact The Engagement Officers at parksvolunteers@southampton.gov.uk

Helping out at The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre (UWC)

The Hawthorns UWC offers information and advice about local wildlife and how we can improve our environment to prevent further decline of our native species. You don’t have to be a wildlife expert as there are lots of opportunities to get involved.

• Find out about volunteering at The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre