Current volunteering opportunities

Opportunity of the Month

Coast Area Paths Maintenance Group (CAPs)

One thing that makes for an enjoyable experience whilst exploring the National Park is a well maintained Rights of Way network and it is often simple things that have a big impact. Continuous maintenance is the key be it small repairs, keeping paths clear of encroaching vegetation or making sure waymarking is clear.

This new volunteer group is aimed at these things. It is envisaged that quite a bit of the work will involve revisiting the same paths several times a year, annually or seasonally to carry out the tasks necessary for keeping the paths in an easy to use condition. We may well move from path to path via minibus or simply walking to cover several jobs in any task day. All training will be given including use of strimmers/mowers etc.

This group will be operating in the beautiful coast area of the North York Moors and working with the Coast Area Rangers.

Any queries please contact volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk

Gallery activities assistant volunteers

As part of the Inspired by… gallery programme we are expanding our art courses and activity programme.

We are looking for volunteers who have an interest in art and have good communication skills to join our team and help to deliver this exciting new project.

Training will be given on all aspects of the role.

A minimum commitment of 2 days per month is required.   We have two away days per year to other galleries for idea sharing and to look at other installations.

Please contact volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk if you are interested in learning more

Gallery exhibition and installation volunteers

We are looking for volunteers to join our small friendly team to help with hanging and installation of exhibits in our Inspired by… gallery.

There are nine installation/exhibitions per year and volunteers will be given training in all aspects of hanging an exhibition and all that entails.

A minimum commitment of 2 days per month is required,  these days run concurrently.

We have two away days per year to other galleries for idea sharing and to look at other installations.

Please contact volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk if you are interested in learning more.

Inspired by… gallery children’s events volunteers

We are looking for people to join our small but very enthusiastic team of volunteers to help with a new and exciting addition to the Inspired by…gallery events programme.

From next year we will be introducing a programme of art workshops for children. They are still in the planning stages but each workshop (for a maximum of 8 children) will be approximately 2 hours long and will run twice a day. We aim to run approximately 4 to 6 in the first year and also a couple of outdoor “drop in” sessions. They will mainly take place during the school holidays.

Volunteers would be required to help with one or two per year. Tasks would typically include

• Research background information and prepare resources for children’s art workshops.
• Assist with set up of children’s art workshop activities
• Assist with meeting & greeting parents and getting the children settled/organised at the beginnings/ends of sessions
• Support the workshop leader in the delivery of art workshop activities, through engaging with the children encouraging them to experiment and reinforcing the correct vocabulary/teaching points
• Assist with take down/clearing up.

If you have an interest in art and enjoy working with children and getting involved in “messy” activities, please contact volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk to register an interest.

Please note a DBS check is a requirement for this role.

Native Tree Seed Collection Opportunity

The National Park Authority is looking to kick start the collection of native tree seeds from ancient woodlands and veteran trees by developing it as a volunteer project. Once collected, the seeds will be grown
at a local tree nursery and when the young trees are ready, they will be planted within the National Park to create wonderful new woodlands.

We are currently looking for volunteers to assist us in the collection of these native tree seeds from across the North York Moors National Park. We are also looking for a volunteer leader who can help coordinate this group and lead excursions to gather the seeds.

If you would like to learn more about how you can become involved in this project please contact us on volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk

The Young Archaeologists' Club

Can you Help? Do you have knowledge of archaeology or history? The Moors and Valley Young Archaeologists' Club needs you. We are looking for enthusiastic - leaders, assistants and/or guest speakers..

If you are interested or require further information contact yac@northyorkmoors.org.uk or phone 01439 772700.

For all current Land of Iron opportunities, please click here.

Young Archaeologists Club administrator

We are looking for a volunteer administration assistant to join the growing Moors & Valleys Young Archaeologists Club (YAC). Your role will be to help provide new members with membership forms, answer queries, and update members on upcoming monthly sessions in an office based-environment. You will also update membership information and relay session information between leaders. Ideally you will be interested in archaeology and history, with a keen interest in making heritage available to all. The role is based within the North York Moors National Park headquarters in Helmsley. If you would like to learn how you can get involved please contact the Volunteering Team at: volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk.

Families needed to lend a hand - join our Explorer Club.

Follow the link to find out more about the Explorer Club and add your name to the waiting list.

Visitor Centre Volunteering with the North York Moors National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission

We have a new Partnership volunteering opportunity working for both the North York Moors National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission in their Visitor Centres. You can, of course, still sign up to volunteer in the National Park visitor centres (based at Sutton Bank and Danby) or for the Forestry Commission in their Dalby Forest visitor centre separately, but now you can sign up to work in the Centres of both organisations in one fell swoop! Add a bit of variety to your role, and benefit by being able to talk to visitors about both organisations and locations. If you are interested, please e-mail Joan Childs.

Seal Watch Volunteers, Ravenscar

We are looking for volunteers to engage with visitors and offer information about the grey seal colony at Ravenscar which has up to 300 seals.

As a Seal Watch volunteer you will also be required to monitor the seals by counting numbers on a regular basis.

For more information on this role, please contact the volunteer team at volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk

Maintenance Volunteer – Western area of National Park

Working with the Maintenance Ranger for the West and often based at the beautiful Sutton Bank visitor centre, this role will see you participating in a variety of practical conservation and public rights of way tasks including: path surfacing and drainage, stile and gate installation and repair, bridge installation and repairs, clearing fallen trees, clearing surface and overhanging vegetation, constructing steps and boardwalks, car park and grounds maintenance.

If you would like to learn how you can get involved please contact the Volunteering Team at: volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk

Staithes Welcome Area Volunteers

Can you help make Staithes even better for visitors? Our coastal area ranger team are looking for help with the upkeep of the welcome area at Staithes. This would  involve gardening and general maintenance, ideally for short periods on a regular basis. This is the first impression for most visitors to Staithes, and we'd love to make it a fantastic one!

For more information, please contact the volunteer team at volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk

Mobile Display Unit Volunteer

Based mainly at the beautiful Robin Hood’s Bay but occasionally at other sites within the Park, mobile display units are terrific sources of information for the public. We are looking for a number of enthusiastic, friendly and polite volunteers to meet and greet members of the public, inform them about the wonderful coast we have in the National Park and the experiences it holds for visitors. Volunteers will have numerous resources available to them through which to engage with the public - including images and films that have been specifically commissioned for use, social media and various websites

If you are interested in becoming a MDU Volunteer, or would like more information, please contact volunteers@northyorkmoors.org.uk or ring 01439 772700.

Office-based volunteer roles

We have a number of office roles based at our Headquarters in Helmsley. These include: data entry for a number of projects (including archaeological finds), answering phones and queries, fulfilling general office responsibilities.

A basic knowledge of computers would be an asset in this role.

Volunteer with the HOOTS!

Join a great group of volunteers from all walks of life, doing practical management on Fylingdales Moor! Tasks on this non-shooting conservation moor include habitat management, looking after Public Rights of Way and carrying out surveys such as the annual grouse count. The tasks take place alternate Fridays and training in tool use is provided. You will need a reasonable level of fitness.

I joined the HOOTS volunteers when the group was formed, nearly 10 years ago. Projects have included  peat restoration, bridge and boardwalk building, heather burning, pond clearing, ancient monument protection as well as habitat management and footpath maintenance. There's normally a 'Plan A', and, depending on conditions, sometimes Plans B, C and D. The climate on a northern upland can be harsh, and we've worked in gales, mist, hail, snow, rain – and even sunshine – sometimes all on a single day!

So why do we turn out week after week, whatever the weather, returning tired and disreputable? We spend the day in a place of wild beauty, with special plants and wildlife; we see positive results from our work all around; we enjoy fresh air and exercise – but mainly, we have fun!

Wendy English, HOOTS volunteer

The Hawk and Owl Trust manages the moor on behalf of the owner, in partnership with the North York Moors National Park Authority. If you are interested, please contact Wildlife Ranger, Chris Hansell by emailing chris.hansell@hawkandowl.org or telephoning 07591 567338.

Yorkshire Derwent Catchment Partnership (YDCP) Volunteers

The Yorkshire Derwent Catchment Partnership is looking for volunteers to help control Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) within the National Park and the wider Derwent catchment. These species can be devastating to our river’s native wildlife and exacerbate the sedimentation of watercourses. Fortunately invasive plant species haven’t yet gained a strong foothold within the National Park and with the help of volunteers we can hopefully nip them in the bud before they become a serious problem. This valuable role will be focussed this year on surveying and treatment along the River Seven catchment and Lownorth Beck in Langdale. Volunteers will work in some of the more remote parts of the North York Moors, a great chance to discover those hidden gems within the National Park.

If you are interested in getting involved or would like more info then please contact john.cave@ywt.org.uk.