Get involved

Volunteering opportunities

Volunteer at Mount Fancy Farm, Butterfly Conservation Reserve

Mount Fancy Farm, is typical of the Blackdown Hills with a rich mosaic of diverse and important habitats, ranging from unimproved meadows, swamps and flushes to the semi-ancient mixed broadleaf woodland. The dedicated volunteer wardens are looking for volunteers to assist them with a range of practical conservation tasks.  To find out more visit: https://fancyvolunteers.weebly.com or contact Volunteer Wardens, Tony or Anna on tonybcwarden@gmail.com

For more information about Butterfly Conservation in Devon and Somerset visit: Devon Branch | Butterfly Conservation (butterfly-conservation.org)

Somerset and Bristol Branch | Butterfly Conservation (butterfly-conservation.org)

Axe Vale and District Conservation Society

Helping to protect the landscape and wildlife of the Axe Vale area, the Axe Vale and District Conservation Society runs a variety of events, walks and volunteering information.

For more information visit www.avdcs.org

Blackdown Hills repair café

Throw it away no way! Blackdown Hills repair café, run by Blackdown Hills Transition Group, is tackling waste by helping people to repair items rather than throw them away. The repair café team is looking for skilled volunteers who are able to repair household items, including computers, electrical goods, bicycles, hand tools, furniture, soft furnishings and clothing. The repair cafés are held in Hemyock Parish Hall on the fourth Saturday every other month.

https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeBlackdowns

Coldharbour Mill

Coldharbour Mill is one of the oldest woollen mills in the UK, situated in Uffculme, on the western fringes of the Blackdown Hills.

Whether you’re seven or 77, there are all sorts of volunteering opportunities available. These include working in the garden, site and building maintenance, helping with the Mill’s education programme, office assistance, working with the spinning and weaving equipment and more. Taster sessions and training is provided.

Find out more on 01884 840 960 or info@coldharbourmill.org.uk

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT)

Devon Wildlife Trust has four nature reserves in the Blackdown Hills National Landscapes: Ashculm Turbary, Clayhidon Turbary, Lickham Common and The Rough.

Volunteers help keep these rich wildlife habitats in good condition.

Read about volunteering with Devon Wildlife Trust

01392 279 244

Dunkeswell Airfield Heritage Centre guides

Dunkeswell Airfield Heritage Centre is looking for volunteers to join its team welcoming visitors. You don’t need to be an expert on the history of Dunkeswell as this can be learned! Far more important are good people skills and the ability to provide a warm welcome. They’re looking for people who are happy to work with the existing volunteer team and can help man the Heritage Centre for a day or half-day each week. To find out more call 0777 885 7722.

National Trust

In the Blackdown Hills National Landscape, the National Trust manages Dumpdon Hill Fort and Combe Wood near Honiton, and Wellington Monument close to Wellington. At Combe Wood the National Trust is looking for people to join its team of volunteers taking part in practical woodland management works such as coppicing. The National Trust is also looking to recruit a dog ranger and people engagement volunteers to encourage good dog owner behaviour and engage with visitors, both at Wellington Monument and Fyne Court in the Quantock Hills National Landscape.

Find out about volunteering with the National Trust

Neroche Conservation Volunteers (NCV)

Neroche Conservation Volunteers is a friendly, informal group which works on a variety of wildlife sites in the northern Blackdown Hills to improve habitats and access for the public. Formed in 2007, the group has worked on land belonging to the Forestry England, Blackdown Hills Trust, Butterfly Conservation and Somerset Wildlife Trust.

The group meets twice a month to carry out practical tasks. You can book onto a task by checking out NCV’s events calendar and contacting NVC at ncv@nerochewoodlanders.org.

Neroche Woodlanders at Young Wood

Neroche Woodlanders is a social enterprise based at Young Wood, near Staple Fitzpaine. Young Wood is a 100-acre woodland, set within Forestry England’s wider 100-hectare Neroche Forest Estate. Conservation work, forest school, firewood and woodland product creation, and school visits are just some of the things that take place.

Volunteers are needed to help with practical management, construction projects and support for wild learning and family sessions.

For information contact Jenny Archard – jenny@nerochewoodlanders.org or 07541 080 397.

RSPB

RSPB is the UKs largest nature conservation charity and is involved in some of the conservation projects taking place in the Blackdown Hills.

Find out about volunteering with RSPB

Somerset Wildlife Trust

Based in Taunton, Somerset Wildlife Trust manages 72 reserves in Somerset, including 10 in the Blackdown Hills and hosts the Somerset Environmental Records Centre. Volunteering opportunities include practical conservation work, visitor work, surveys, office support and more.

Read about volunteering with Somerset Wildlife Trust or call 01823 652 400.

Underway Meade Nature Reserve

Underway Meade, in Combe St Nicholas, is managed as a parish amenity promoting the conservation of wildlife, encouraging enjoyment, recreation and educational activities for the local community. The reserve trustees are looking for volunteers to join their team helping with the maintenance of the site for both the local community and wildlife. Depending on the season, this might include hedgelaying, path creation and maintenance. All welcome. The group usually volunteers for an hour or two on Saturdays but there is also the opportunity to volunteer during the week.

For more information visit https://combestnicholas.org.uk/underway-meade/