Volunteer with us
Volunteering with the New Forest National Park Authority
More than 500 people are signed up as a volunteer with the New Forest National Park Authority.
Volunteers are hugely important in helping us achieve National Park purposes, protecting and enhancing the New Forest for wildlife and communities.
Corporate volunteering
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'Volunteering can open so many doors in so many ways, such as for people starting out on a green career journey or for those looking for a new challenge at other points in life.'
New Forest NPA Volunteer and Accessibility Co-ordinator James Masser
Frequently asked questions
We‘re always happy to take on new recruits! New volunteers have the option to visit our offices to learn more at an induction session or can head straight out to their first task, if they would prefer. You can register as a volunteer here.
Our volunteering tasks primarily fall on weekdays. We aim to have at least one weekend task a month aimed at 18-30-year-olds as part of the Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) project, and we occasionally have a weekend opportunity open to all volunteers. The Volunteer Opportunity Finder showcases a range of New Forest organisations, charities, and groups that may be offering weekend tasks.
Many of our volunteers drive to tasks because they’re often in more remote locations around the National Park. We’re happy to co-ordinate a pickup/dropoff with the task lead from a nearby bus or train station if you’re using public transport.
You can claim mileage and public transport expenses for travel to/from tasks. For mileage if you come along to one of our induction sessions, or contact a member of the volunteering team, then we can explain in greater detail as you’ll have to be covered on your car insurance policy to receive payments.
If you’re signed up to a task, you’ll be sent final details a couple days before, including what kit we’ll be bringing and what kit you’ll need to bring.
In general, you’ll be asked to bring:
- Suitable clothing for weather conditions
- Boots or wellies
- Packed lunch
- Any medications you may require
- Full waterproofs because the weather cannot be trusted
- Plenty of water
- Something to sit on for tea/lunch break (recommended)
We will bring:
- Personal protective equipment for the task
- Tools for the task
- Hot drinks and biscuits
Absolutely, that’s the case for many of our volunteers! Full training and supervision for the task is provided throughout the day, and we‘ll happily spend time with you as you get more comfortable using a range of practical tools and techniques. You’ll be amazed how quickly you get the hang of it! Our volunteers are also encouraged to tackle tasks at a pace that works for them and to take extra breaks (and snacks) as required.
You must be at least 18 years old to volunteer with us. For opportunites for younger volunteers, please see our Junior Ranger programme or have a look at our Volunteer Opportunity Finder for other organisations across the area.
Register on our Better Impact. Once you’ve registered, you will initially only see volunteer inductions. Don’t worry! If you can’t make an induction or would prefer to come straight to a task, check back in a few days: Better Impact will show all our upcoming tasks, and you’ll be able to sign yourself on to any you’re interested in.
The Volunteering Agreement
The Volunteering Agreement is a living document. We adjust it to better serve and protect our volunteers and staff. Please check the link and the agreement regularly. The agreement is a condensed version of our Volunteering Policy which is available to read and download from this webpage.
Please note that this is not a contract of employment and there is no remuneration for volunteering with the National Park. Ownership (including copyright and intellectual property rights) of data or other material collected or created by you during your volunteering will lie with the NPA.
- Provide an initial induction and task specific training to support you in your volunteering role. You will receive details of this once you register online. Whether your role is a casual one or you have specified tasks, you will be supported and directed in your role by an assigned member of National Park staff.
- Inform you of upcoming volunteer tasks and opportunities via a regular e-newsletter. We’ll also organise and invite you to our volunteer Christmas party and any other social events we organise.
- Ensure that volunteering is accessible to all by covering reasonable travel expenses. You will need to complete the Volunteer Driver’s declaration before mileage can be claimed. The expenses claim form and Volunteer Driver’s Declaration are both available to download in the document library on Better Impact, our volunteering software.
- Take your privacy very seriously. Your personal information will be handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and our Privacy Notice.
- Ask your permission before we take a picture of you to use on our website or as part of a project report. Even if you have signed the photo-consent form we will still ask every time.
- Provide insurance cover for you while you are undertaking voluntary work approved and authorised by us.
- Treat everyone with dignity and respect. This includes staff, other volunteers, and members of the public.
- Uphold our policies and standards including health and safety procedures and instructions given on site by staff.
- Not disclose confidential information to any person either during your volunteering experience with us or at any time afterwards.
- Read the Data Protection Policy, the Volunteering Policy, and the Equal Opportunities Policy available on this webpage.
- Give the project staff plenty of notice if you are unable to attend any sessions so that other arrangements can be made.