ESC IN , United Kingdom

Flat Holm Island Volunteer Role Description: Trainee Assistant Warden March 2021 for 10 months Volunteers from Estonia, Germany, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Belgium and Austria are eligible to apply ______Host project

Cardiff Council is a local authority employing approx. 15000 employees. Harbour Authority is a department within that manages Flat Holm Island. Flat Holm is a small island 5 miles off the Cardiff coast and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Local Nature Reserve, Historic site and visitor destination.

Its main aim is to conserve the natural habitats, plants and wildlife, historic features and provide opportunities for people in its widest sense including volunteering and learning new skills. We welcome volunteers on our long term Voluntary Assistant Warden Scheme where training in heritage management, habitat management and nature conservation, wildlife monitoring/surveys and environmental education/visitor management is offered.

The island welcomes day trippers to our visitor centre in the Victorian barracks (grey stone building in the photo) who are provided with guided tours and there is also dormitory accommodation, camping and a converted Lighthouse keeper’s cottage available for overnight stays for visitors which include individuals, families, youth groups, special interest groups etc who can get involved in activities such as conservation, retreats, education survival skills and more.

Whilst on the Island, volunteers live in a converted World War 2 accommodation block during summer (white building shown in the above photo) and in the farmhouse dormitories during winter (photo on left). The island is also supported by a voluntary ‘Friends of’ group called the Flat Holm Society.

Volunteer role

Cardiff Harbour Authority is looking for volunteers to become part of the Flat Holm Project and to work closely with the Warden and the team to manage and develop Flat Holm Island’s natural and cultural heritage for educational and public benefit. Volunteers will work approximately every 3 weeks out of 4 on the Island.

Activities on the Island include, patrolling the island, daily duties include housekeeping, meal preparation, health and safety checks, wildlife monitoring (changes seasonally), habitat management e.g. strimming paths, pulling bracken, clearing scrub, cutting and coppicing elder, maintenance of heritage structures eg removing vegetation, machinery checks, welcoming visitors (between March and October) manning the shop, providing or assisting with guided tours

or education activities, building maintenance such as painting and heritage management.

For 1 week each month accommodation will be provided in Cardiff, South Wales and when required work experience will be provided by our colleagues in our Parks department across various parks in Cardiff incl but not exclusive to Bute Park, Forest Farm, Roath Park and Bute Plant Nursery.

The work would involve similar activities to those on Flat holm plus horticultural experience, environmental education and working with local community and ‘Friends of’ groups.

What’s in it for you?

• Working with a multi-disciplinary and diverse team • Learning a variety of different practical skills • An opportunity to work in an inspiring location, living on an Island reserve with other volunteers on site. • An opportunity to develop skills that will be of value to you through your career development • Relevant training both on site by the Warden and off site with accredited providers

What’s involved?

To support the Warden in managing the Project’s educational and interpretive programmes. This will include:

 Hosting visiting groups and individuals and ensuring their welfare and safety.  Preparing and leading educational activities and leading groups carrying out practical work on the Island.  Organising and conducting guided tours.  Any other activities necessary to promote the Flat Holm Project.  Organising and assisting with the domestic routine.

To assist the Warden in the general running, maintenance and conservation of the Island including:

 Ensuring that all health and safety procedures relating to the Island are carried out and that such systems are maintained and developed.  Maintenance of buildings, facilities and historic monuments including painting, carpentry and systems checks  Husbandry of Island livestock.  Organising and carrying out habitat management work and other practical tasks such as dry stone walling, coppicing, step construction, vegetation management including bramble, nettles, thistles and wild arum.  Maintaining and developing the Island’s management plan.  Monitoring the fauna and flora of the Island.  Preventing damage to the Island and its wildlife.

Practical conditions

Volunteers will live on Flat Holm Island for approx. 3 weeks out of 4 in established volunteer accommodation with other volunteers. Weather conditions can be harsh especially during winter so you will be expected to continue to carry out outside duties even in inclement weather and applicants must be prepared and physically able to do this.

The island is accessible by boat from Cardiff Bay, South Wales and we arrange and pay for all boat transport for volunteers to the island. The volunteers would support the Island Warden who lives in the farmhouse.

Volunteers will work closely together on a daily basis and will take all meals together in the farmhouse with a rota of one person cooking for the group each night. This helps the group to bond and share experiences with each other in a communal living space.

Things you should know (Important!)

This opportunity is uniquely located on an Island set within the scenic backdrop of the however, it is isolated. Please consider how you would feel living in a remote setting, away from cities or towns with no public transport, before applying for this project.

Application Process

Whilst Cardiff Harbour Authority, part of Cardiff Council, is the actual host of this project, WCIA is the coordinating organisation and administrating the whole ESC project. Hence, you will apply for this project with the Cardiff Harbour Authority through WCIA. Please read carefully through the description, consider to go online as well to find more information about Flat Holm ( https://cardiffharbour.com/flatholm/ ). The project will run from March 2021 for a minimum of 9 months but ideally 12 months. Please make sure you are available to dedicate this time period to volunteering in Wales.

To apply for this project please contact Michaela on [email protected] . Please use the following in your email subject: “your name” :: Flat Holm