How Are You South Cambs? | Cambridge Conservation Volunteers

Cambridge Conservation Volunteers have been providing practical help to nature reserves in and around South Cambs since 1962. Working most Sundays throughout the year, you don't need any particular skills or experience to take part - just enthusiasm!

This activity is good for wellbeing because

meeting people with similar interests can lead to new friendships;
getting outdoors and being active is good for mental and physical health;
doing something positive for the local environment feels good.

“I have met so many amazing people while volunteering, and it really makes my day when I see that I’ve made a difference!”

How to contact

Email

[email protected]

Website

www.ccv.org.uk

Social media

Where to go

Available Throughout South Cambridgeshire District
UK

Foxton
Cambridgeshire
UK

Hardwick
Cambridge
UK

Ickleton
Saffron Walden
UK

Knapwell
Cambridge
UK

Landbeach
Cambridge
UK

What to expect

Cambridge Conservation Volunteers are a friendly bunch who work most Sundays throughout the year (apart from in the spring when birds are nesting), working hard to maintain and support habitats for native species. Tasks include coppicing, hedge-laying and scrub cutting in woodland and nature reserves. In the summer they are out in the fens raking reeds or wading in the river pulling up invasive Himalayan balsam.

Nature reserves supported by the volunteers are in Landbeach, Knapwell, Foxton, Ickleton, Hardwick and many other places in and around South Cambridgeshire.

If physical work isn’t your thing, then they also need drivers, tool maintainers, task organisers (from admin to tea-making), people to help with social media and communications or to run events.

You can take part in as many tasks as you like as often as you like – all abilities are welcome and you don’t need any particular skills or experience. There’s a buddy system for newcomers so you will be shown what to do by someone with more experience. Most tasks start at 10.30am and finish at 4pm, but if you have your own transport and can’t stay for a whole day that’s fine too.

Cambridge Conservation Volunteers also organise social events, meetings and residential trips so it isn’t all hard work!

There is no formal membership, and you can just turn up to the location on the day of a task – however it is worth emailing the team to check things are going ahead as planned.

To find out about what tasks are happening, where and when, follow the Facebook page or join the Cambridge Conservation Volunteers mailing list

More information

Wear old clothes suitable for the outdoors and strong footwear. For some tasks, wellies can be a good idea but a pair of walking boots is usually fine. Cambridge Conservation Volunteers provide work gloves but bring your own if you prefer. All tools and equipment is provided.

Bring a packed lunch (you will be given water, biscuits, tea and coffee!).

Toilets are ‘in the wild’ as some nature reserves don’t have facilities.

Lifts from Cambridge can usually be arranged if you talk to the task organiser in advance.