Wildlife Trust’s Volunteer Handbook

Saving Norfolk’s Wildlife for the Future Welcome to From the Chief Executive

Norfolk Wildlife Trust Welcome to , at stunning locations throughout I am delighted that you are joining Norfolk. Whatever your volunteer and our network our dedicated team of volunteers. role, you are making a valuable contribution to our work. of valued volunteers Our volunteers support us because they care passionately about I hope you will enjoy volunteering for This Handbook is for you to use as a reference protecting Norfolk’s wildlife and NWT as we continue to work together and tells you what you need to know as a environment. Volunteers play a towards our vision for Norfolk. volunteer for Norfolk Wildlife Trust. key role in our work and bring an array of experience, skills and Best wishes and welcome. If you need any help or advice with regard knowledge to the Trust which, in to your volunteering please contact the partnership with our staff, helps Volunteer Coordinator on 01603 625540 or us to achieve our objectives. [email protected] We have volunteers of all ages and backgrounds who undertake a Pamela Abbott range of tasks and activities, some Chief Executive

Our vision for the future

Norfolk Wildlife Trust seeks a sustainable Living Landscape for wildlife and people

Where the future of wildlife is protected and enhanced through sympathetic management

Where people are connected with, inspired by, value and care for Norfolk’s wildlife and wild spaces About Us

Founded in 1926, Norfolk Wildlife Trust is the oldest of the UK’s 46 Wildlife Trusts.

We work, on our nature reserves Promoting Education Responding to threats and with our partners across the and Awareness county, to make Norfolk healthy Our wildlife and wild landscapes are habitat for wildlife and for people. Our education and engagement under threat on many fronts. We monitor programme for schools, families planning and development throughout Our income comes from and adults offers hands-on outdoor the county to prevent loss of wildlife membership subscriptions, learning opportunities, aimed at and its habitats through unsympathetic legacies, fundraising, grants, fostering a positive and caring development. We also seek to influence business support and charitable relationship with Norfolk’s wildlife. the plans of other bodies by promoting trusts. With around 100 full and our policies on wildlife conservation. part time staff, nearly36,000 Visitor Centres We work with other Wildlife Trusts members and the support nationally to campaign for stronger of around 1,300 volunteers We have a year-round visitor centre policies and better legal protection for annually, NWT achieves its aims at Cley and Marshes, our environment and wildlife. through a variety of means: and seasonal visitor centres at and Marshes, Trustees , Broad Owning and Managing and Marshes and . NWT is managed by a Council of Nature Reserves They enable us to engage with the Trustees. The Trustees, who must be public, run events and promote members of NWT, are responsible, We own and manage more than our work and membership. under NWT’s Memorandum & Articles 4,000 hectares across 60 nature of Association, for the governance reserves throughout the county. Working in the Wider Countryside and administration of the Trust. These include internationally The Council meets ten times a year. important sites such as Cley and We work with many other , Hickling organisations and with private The Chief Executive reports to Broad and Marshes, Weeting landowners across Norfolk to Council, with the Senior Management Heath, and promote nature conservation Team attending by invitation. Holme Dunes. We undertake in the wider countryside. This active management on all our work includes monitoring The Memorandum & Articles of nature reserves to ensure the County Wildlife Sites and Association are available to read at HQ. survival of the rare and special providing advice on how best A list of Council members is available on wildlife which inhabits them. to manage land for wildlife. our website and in our Annual Report. A Living Landscape Living Seas

Our nature reserves are rich, The UK’s coasts and seas support more than 10,000 diverse, beautiful and full of life. species of marine plants and animals.

However, we want wildlife to thrive all across Norfolk’s undersea landscapes undersea cables and pipelines the Norfolk landscape, not just on nature are priceless: sand and gravel flats and climate change all put marine reserves. Working in partnership with local which are vital spawning grounds wildlife under pressure. people, communities, landowners, businesses for fish, living reefs formed from the and statutory bodies we can improve habitat, hard tubes of ross worms, sunken Living Seas is ’ help wildlife across Norfolk recover from past wrecks colonised by sponges and vision for the future of the UK’s declines and deliver our vision of anemones, and one of the longest seas, a future in which wildlife A Living Landscape. chalk reefs in the world, with and marine habitats can recover chalk arches and strangely shaped from past declines, in which people We have identified six Living Landscape flints, home to colourful sea slugs, cherish the sea and its wildlife. projects, in which our landscape-scale bee-sized cuttlefish and Norfolk’s conservation activity is focused. famous crabs and lobsters. At NWT we advocate better protection for special areas such as • The Brecks • Gaywood Valley However, our seas and their wildlife ’s chalk reef and, at • Bure and Thurne • Claylands are in trouble: over-fishing, dredging events on our coastal reserves, we • North Norfolk • Wissey for marine aggregates, pressures raise awareness of the urgent need from coastal recreation, pollution, to manage our seas sustainably. Norfolk Wildlife Trust works to create A Living Landscape by:

Making our nature reserves and other protected sites bigger, better and more connected;

Inspiring local communities to take action for wildlife;

Offering advice and encouragement to landowners, including those who manage the more than 1300 County Wildlife Sites in Norfolk;

Commenting on planning applications to ensure that development does not threaten our wildlife. Our Nature Reserves Across Norfolk

Alderfen Broad and Marshes 1 17 Swangey Fen 32 and Marshes 2 Kay Cliffs Nature Reserve 18 33 3 19 Heath 34 Brett’s Wood 4 Lower Wood, Ashwellthorpe 20 Thompson Common 35 5 Broad and Marshes 21 36 Cley and Salthouse Marshes 6 Narborough Railway Line 22 Thursford Wood 37 7 Common 23 38 Cranberry Rough 8 24 39 9 and Marshes 25 40 10 26 Weeting Heath 41 Wood 11 Roydon Common and Tony 27 Hethel Old Thorn 12 Hallett Memorial Reserve For more detailed location information and Hickling Broad and Marshes 13 Rushmeadows 28 visiting details please visit our website 14 29 www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk. Holme Dunes 15 Southrepps Commons 30 16 Pools 31 NWT has eight active   18 A149 Wells local groups: Cromer 26 37 16 30 33 4 Fakenham North Norfolk West Norfolk North 24 Mid Norfolk Walsham 27 Aylsham Wymondham  3 A17 Groups meet throughout the year for talks, King’s Lynn 5 2  walks and social events. Joining a Local 14 1 21 31 9 1717 28 38 Group is a great way to get involved in 7 22 wildlife issues and conservation in your 29  39 community. All are welcome at Local Group Swaffham 19 36 19 A47 events, including non-members of NWT. Downham Great Market Wymondham Yarmouth Watton Local Groups are run by NWT members 40 12 32 on a voluntary basis. They get involved in 35 20 NWT events, habitat management, wildlife 8 surveys, visitor centres, membership  10 23 recruitment and fundraising. Local Group details are listed on the NWT website and Thetford 34 Harleston in the NWT events leaflets. Diss Why we need Volunteers Your volunteering experience

Ever since the formation of What you will receive NWT in 1926, volunteers have • An induction to NWT, your role and role description. played an important part in our • A supervisor who is responsible for your volunteering activities development. Your contribution and who you can speak to if you are unclear about anything. is integral to our success and • An initial three month review for regular volunteers and an annual review. future development. • To be valued and thanked • Out of pocket expenses, to be agreed in advance Volunteers make a valuable • To be safe and secure whilst volunteering contribution to our work by: • To meet new people and have a rewarding experience.

Bringing a valuable variety of experience, Your supervisor skills and knowledge The role of your supervisor is to: Showing commitment to NWT and • Provide an induction strengthening our voice • Plan and supervise your work Providing local representation • Ensure that you understand what you are being asked to do in communities, which helps • Explain how NWT’s policies affect you to raise our profile • Identify training needs • Carry out an initial three month review to Attracting match-funding for volunteer confirm your role, and annual reviews hours when we apply for grants • Ask for and receive feedback from you

Enabling us to achieve more What we expect from you as a volunteer

• Act as an ambassador for NWT in your role and in your community • Be aware of and abide by NWT policies and guidelines Volunteer Vacancies: If you would like to • Advise your supervisor as soon as possible if you are not increase your volunteering, try something able to attend at a previously agreed time or day different, or know of someone who is • Respect confidentiality of information that you interested in volunteering with Norfolk have access to whilst volunteering Wildlife Trust, our current list of volunteers vacancies can be found on our website • Ensure that no illegal or criminal misuse is made of NWT assets www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/ • Inform you supervisor or the Volunteer Coordinator if you support-us/volunteering or contact the do not feel confident that you have received the guidelines Volunteer Coordinator and information necessary to carry out your role. Acting as an ambassador for the Trust Training You will be given relevant on the job training We ask that you give a positive You will meet other volunteers from a member of staff or experienced message about NWT. If there is and members of staff as well volunteer. We aim to make appropriate anything we do which you do not as being shown round the formal training available within the understand or do not feel positive building or site where you are constraints of available resources. If about, please discuss this with volunteering. You will be asked there is any training that you think you your supervisor. to sign our Health & Safety require please speak to your supervisor policy statement. as we may be able to arrange this. Any enquiries from the press or other media should always You will complete a personal Expenses be immediately referred to details form (including an Bewick House. emergency contact) and your We greatly value the work carried out by details will be kept securely at volunteers and can reimburse your out of Induction all times and only be used by pocket expenses - these must be agreed in Your Volunteer Induction will be NWT for purposes related to advance with your supervisor. You may carried out by your supervisor. NWT volunteering. claim by completing a Volunteer Expenses Form, available from your supervisor or the Volunteer Coordinator. The main cost you are likely to incur is travel to and from your volunteer base. Travel expenses will be reimbursed at the prevailing volunteer mileage rate up to an agreed limit.

Health & Safety

All volunteers will receive an induction to health and safety procedures and, where required, a written risk assessment for their role.

NWT aims to take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of our volunteers. We are committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment and have devised policies and procedures to help ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

All volunteers must abide by our Health & Safety policies and have appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (if required) for their role. Volunteers under 18 years of age Insurance Cover Volunteers under 18 years of age will be required to provide a signed parent/guardian Volunteers are covered under NWT’s public liability insurance when consent form before being able to volunteer. carrying out activities on behalf of NWT (or its subsidiaries). Volunteers Please note that not all staff and volunteers carrying out practical conservation works (e.g. scrub clearance, coppicing that you work with will be Disclosure and etc.) are only covered by NWT’s insurance whilst engaged on Trust business. Barring Service (DBS) checked. In order for the Trust’s insurance to cover an individual they should follow all relevant NWT policies and procedures. The policy includes: Working with Young People & Vulnerable Adults Public liability cover:

Volunteers working with children or Protects you from any claims made against you for negligence, bodily vulnerable adults will need to provide two injury to a third party and loss of or damage to a third party’s property. references and may be required to undergo a DBS check. You will receive an induction to Personal accident cover: NWT’s Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults policy. Provides limited financial compensation cover for accidental death, personal injury resulting in loss of limbs etc., permanent Problem Solving total disablement and, for adults, temporary total disablement. As the NWT personal accident cover is limited, volunteers may We aim to ensure that your volunteering is wish to take out their own personal accident insurance. enjoyable and worthwhile but occasionally problems do occur. If you are not happy with Volunteers’ personal possessions: something, discuss the problem in the first instance with your supervisor. If the problem You are not covered for theft or damage to your own is not resolved to your satisfaction the next personal possessions whilst volunteering. stage is to discuss it with the Volunteer Coordinator. If it is still unresolved, a Senior Motor vehicle insurance: Manager will become involved. Volunteers over 21 with a full clean driving licence may with Similar steps will be taken if we are unhappy permission use NWT vehicles on NWT business and be covered by with any aspect of your volunteering. In the the NWT vehicle insurance policy. Your driving licence will need case of any misconduct we reserve the right to be shown to your supervisor before use of NWT’s vehicles. to end a volunteering arrangement. Volunteers using their own vehicle: If you decide to stop volunteering You are responsible for ensuring that you have adequate insurance If your circumstances or interests change cover that includes business use. You will need to produce your and you decide to stop volunteering for NWT vehicle insurance document, driving licence and current MOT please tell your supervisor or the Volunteer certificate for checking prior to undertaking NWT business use. Coordinator. This will help us keep our volunteer database accurate and up to date. THANK YOU For volunteering with us

Norfolk Wildlife Trust Bewick House 22 Thorpe Road Norwich NR1 1RY Tel: 01603 625540 Email: [email protected] www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk Registered charity no. 208734

Images: Amy Lewis, David Tipling, David Tipling/2020VISION, Danny Green/2020VISION, Elizabeth Dack, Guy Edwardes/2020VISION, Katrina Martin/2020VISION, Mark Hamblin/2020VISION, Matthew Roberts, Norfolk Coast Partnership, Richard Steel/2020VISION, Richard Osbourne, Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION, Steve Cox, Terry Whittaker/2020VISION, Tom Marshall

Saving Norfolk’s Wildlife for the Future