Volunteering

The team meets usually once a month during midweek, the date and location are emailed out at the beginning of the month. Sometimes, urgent safety works need undertaking at shorter notice. The team usually meets on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at 10am, and is always weather dependent. The sessions usually last about two hours, with water breaks. As a member of the team you are free to attend as many of the monthly sessions as you wish, we appreciate that this is voluntary work.

We undertake different tasks within the Parish, including in the Pleasure Grounds (woodlands), Sharvells Copse, Barnes Copse, Studland Common, Studland Meadow, Community Orchard, Old Milford Meadow, Sturt Pond Bird Hide and The Pans Wetlands Bird Observatory.

We prune back shrubs and bushes, undertake small tasks at the Bird Hides like re-doing footpaths, clearing weeds, varnishing, maintaining the hides, undertake rubbish collection walks, assist with keeping the Danes Stream clear of debris and removing invasive plants. Members of the group can send through suggested tasks they have seen when walking through the above listed areas, this assists us in keeping the village looking lovely as well as protecting and preserving our native, flora and fauna.

Risk assessments are undertaken by our experienced leaders and risk assessment officer. For insurance purposes, all volunteers are asked to sign the risk assessment to say they have understood the risks outlined. The normal risks are trip hazards, taking care when using tools and when working close to water. Safety equipment and tools are available at each session but please feel free to bring your own. We always recommend that you wear steel toe-capped footwear or sturdy walking boots to each session as the ground can be uneven and there is always the chance that something heavy might fall on your feet! There is always a first aid kit available and a member with first aid knowledge.

The group is all about meeting people and having some fun whilst assisting in keeping the natural areas of the village thriving for us all to use with conservation in mind. If you wish to join us then just email me at [email protected] and I will add you to my list.

I look forward to meeting you at one of our midweek tasking sessions

Lead by Steve Mabbett  : Responsible for arranging work locations, email contact with volunteers, risk assessments and tool availability. email: [email protected]

The Logging team meets at 10.00am on any nominated day (excluding weekends) taking weather conditions into consideration for comfort and safety purposes. It is an opportunity for members to meet and work with people from other areas of Milford-on-Sea, creating new friendships and encouraging volunteers to avoid loneliness.

Our sessions last 2 to 3 hours, including plenty of rest breaks for refreshment or just to chat with fellow volunteers. We meet 2 to 3 times a month in support of the Parish Council disposing of dangerous trees from public areas around the parish. Professional tree surgeons appointed by the Parish Council fell the trees to ground level. We cut them up into manageable sections in order to extract the cut wood from the woodland. Our work helps keep the public open spaces safe for use by the local community and all visitors.

Members of the logging team load the sawn timber into our trailer for immediate delivery to our log store. We then split and dry them and deliver to local customers at competitive prices. Funds raised by the sale of this wood supports the Milford Conservation Volunteers with new tool provision servicing of existing tools, ongoing maintenance and training as well as supporting local projects e.g., sponsoring young people from the village in conservation education. We appreciate that not all volunteers can make every session however, their support is always appreciated for any time they are able to give on the day.

Chainsaw work is carried out by fully trained and qualified operators within the group. Advice on the use of hand tools is given to volunteers wishing to work with new tools. We have people with previous First Aid training present and a comprehensive First Aid kit is available at each session. Protective equipment, Hi-Vis vests (with MCV Logo), safety glasses, ear defenders and hard hats are available for people in the roles requiring their use. We recommend you wear steel toe-capped boots or Wellingtons and a thick pair of gardening gloves for this work. If you prefer to use your own hand tools this is acceptable.

Each task is individually risk assessed and the group leader will talk through these risks and the work to be undertaken. The assessment is available for all to read, and everyone is required to sign the attendance sheet confirming they understand the task risks.

We are always looking for new volunteers who may wish to be trained in the use of the equipment and / or First Aid training for the benefit of all volunteers and we look forward to welcoming you to our friendly team.