Volunteering in parks and open spaces

We work closely with community groups which help look after our public open spaces including parks, nature reserves and woodlands.

Volunteering is for everyone. It allows you to meet new people, learn new skills and improve your wellbeing. Volunteers often find it fun and rewarding.

For updates on our community spaces you can sign up to our e-newsletter.

The Hive

The Hive is our community spaces network. It is a group that supports residents who volunteer to care for our public open spaces.

We collect feedback and data on the number of hours volunteers work, where they work and any regular concerns.

Find a group

There are many local community groups with volunteering opportunities. You can view the different groups using the map below.

Training

We offer free training courses for volunteers. These include:

• First Aid
• project leadership including risk assessments and safe use of hand tools
• water safety course for those working near or in water
• operating and maintenance of brushcutters and strimmers
• operating rechargeable electric power tools
• working at height for those installing and maintaining bird boxes
• conservation and ecology

Site specific courses may be available for your group such as coppicing, scything and orchard skills. 

You can email greenspace.volunteering@southglos.gov.uk for more information.

Plan a volunteering event

You can plan a volunteering event for your group.

Email communityspaces@southglos.gov.uk to let us know the information below or to get permission.

Events that need permission from us

Events that need permission from us include: 

• picnics
• group activities
• trail markers
• interactive walks (for example, foraging and wild art)
• large events with over 30 people

Permission from us must be requested at least 3 weeks before the event in held. 

We recommend letting us know earlier to make sure the details are agreed before you advertise the event.  

Guided walks and wildlife surveys 

You do not need permission to plan a guided walk or wildlife survey that is for observation only but you must tell us 3 weeks before the event is planned. 

Make sure you tell us about the number of people expected to attend, the location of the walk or survey and the planned route. 

Insurance

Events organised for the public other than guided walks and surveys require public liability insurance. This should be held by the group or by an external activity leader if they are leading an event.

Friends group event

If a friends group invites the public to join them in a regular low risk activity notification or permission is not needed.

For these events, members of public need to fill in a volunteer information form which should be kept with other volunteer details.

Waste collection

If your event or activity will generate waste that will need collection, you must email waste.management@southglos.gov.uk. 

We will provide you with coloured bags and let you know where bags need to be left for collection.