Our volunteers play a fundamental role in almost everything we do. From planting trees at an old quarry site to carrying out river cleans or managing the spread of invasive species, we need your help to continue our work. Whether you’re a seasoned conservationist or a novice, we have a task that will suit you.
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Hi! My name’s Aodhan and I’m the Environmental Engagement Officer for the Belfast Hills Partnership. I deliver environmental outreach sessions to local schools and community groups, build good working relations with landowners and farmers and manage a group of dedicated volunteers to carryout practical conservation tasks across the Belfast Hills. My passion is conserving our natural environment. I want to help provide all plants and animals with a suitable platform to thrive, diversify and to live happily. This role provides me, not only with the chance to do that, but also to share my passion with others in the hope that they will want to protect the environment as well. There are so many reasons to come join the fun here as a volunteer with Belfast Hills Partnership. We have tasks to suit everyone and no experience is necessary! Don’t be afraid to come along and give it a go; our team of volunteers are a wonderful and knowledgeable bunch from all walks of life that you can learn from daily. Learn new skills, help your local environment, improve your physical and mental health and have great craic while doing it. You can discover and explore areas of nature throughout Belfast, including some hidden gems you might never have got the chance to see before. Our volunteers are vital to the work that we do in conserving and enhancing the environment and habitats across the Belfast Hills. Get involved & volunteer your time to this very important cause today! |
Our Conservation Volunteers get together every Monday and Thursday morning 10:30-13:00. There is a huge variety of tasks that we carry out. You can come along as often or as little as you want. Contact [email protected] if you are interested. Click the title for all information.
Native Tree and Wildflower Nursery Volunteer
Come and help out in our native tree and wildflower nursery on Tuesday mornings 10:30-13:00. Tasks include seed collection, seed propagation, planting and maintenance of this special site. Contact [email protected] if you are interested.
This seasonal volunteer role will increase your survey skills and experience as well as biodiversity identification. Contact [email protected] if you are interested. Click the title for all information.
The tasks we do are selected to appeal to as large a volunteer group as possible; all abilities, ages and backgrounds are welcomed. As such, you don’t need any experience at all to get involved, but any that you do have will be put to good use. All we ask is that you come along with a smile, can-do attitude and clothes/sturdy footwear that you don’t mind getting dirty!
Given the physical nature of some of our tasks, as outlined in the role descriptions, if you require some level of support or assistance or have any concerns, please contact our Environmental Engagement Officer and they will be able to give you the best advice on how you can volunteer with us or another local organisation.
We’re a really friendly bunch and love to meet new people from all walks of life. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Belfast Hills Partnership should get in touch with our Environmental Engagement Officer, Aodhan O’Kane at aodhan.o’[email protected] or by calling 028 9060 3466. You can download a Volunteer Interest Form below.
This handbook provides you with essential information about volunteering with us as well as a broad introduction to the Belfast Hills Partnership.
The Interest Form can be printed and posted, scanned or emailed back to our Volunteer Officer who will contact you upon receipt of the form with additional information. It is also available in hard copy in the Volunteer Information Pack which the Volunteer Officer can give to you.
Feedback is really important and I welcome all. It is a way of developing the volunteer programme to make it the best possible fit for everyone. It gives volunteers the opportunity to request training and tasks and to let me know how they feel about the volunteering opportunities. The Feedback Form can be printed and posted, handed to me at a task, put in the plastic-pocket in the ‘goodie-bag’ at tasks or emailed back to me.
Volunteer Health & Safety Policy and Code of Conduct
Equal Opportunities Volunteer Policy
Dealing with Problems Volunteer Policy
Watch this space for 2023’s training programme!
Please note: a certain amount of places will be reserved for Belfast Hills Partnership volunteers. Book sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment!
Bookings: aodhan.o’[email protected] / 028 9060 3466
There are certain issues and species which we like to receive reports on. If you are out and about in the Belfast Hills and notice anything worthy of reporting, please feel free to email aodhan.o’[email protected] with your sightings recorded on the report sheet.
What to report:
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