What is a Task Day Leader?
A Task Day Leader (TDL) is someone who leads volunteers on tasks throughout the National Park. They can be a member of staff or a volunteer themselves.
To become a Task Day Leader, you must undergo training. Task Day Leader training is available to those who are keen to take on the challenge of leading groups of volunteers by themselves and in potentially remote locations. Task Day Leaders don't always work alone though, for large groups of volunteers it is recommended that there is more than one TDL to share the workload and ensure everyone is being supervised effectively.
Volunteers interested in becoming Task Day Leaders can ask their line manager if such a role is available. The training can be bespoke depending on the type of role you will be undertaking.
Task Day Leader training
The training usually takes one day and is split into two parts. The first half covers all of the information you will need to know to become a TDL and the second half covers the types of tools you are likely to use out on task.
TDLs taking volunteers out on practical tasks are required to hold a First Aid Certificate. If you don’t have one, then don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. TDLs will go through a two-day outdoor first aid course; this is more thorough than the one day emergency first aid training and covers extra elements such as head injuries, fractures, poisons, bites and stings, and the effects of hot and cold temperatures.
TDLs can also take advantage of our LANTRA courses, as and when we have one organised, such as brushcutter training and pesticides training to allow you to supervise other volunteers when using these.
Additional online training may be required for certain roles, such as units in manual handling and COSHH. These usual last 30 minutes to 1 hour.
MiDAS training is offered to TDLs should they be required to drive the volunteer minibus.
"Since the Task Day Leader (TDL) journey began it has developed into a fantastic initiative across the National Park and beyond to external partners and other National Parks.
"We have a fantastic team of TDLs who help us to lead groups of volunteers to complete various tasks, as without them, managing our dedicated volunteers and all of the work across the National Park would be extremely challenging. They are an absolute asset to the organisation and do an amazing job, I would like to thank them for their continued support and dedication and hope that we will continue working together for many more years to come."
Sophie Lyth - Partnership and Development Officer for the North York Moors National Park Authority