The Geographical Split
We wanted a good geographical spread, thus exposing TCV and our variety of projects to as many Wates employees as possible around the UK.
Proposed Wates locations:
In terms of allocating projects we have made some assumptions and allowed more than one project for some of the regions based on the density of your offices and possible employees.
The Allocation of Projects
As per our previous conversations we have allowed for 11 different projects as part of RTW, apart from London, Birmingham and Leatherhead each of the locations has a single project.
1. Leeds – Project
Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Leeds.
Skelton Grange Road, Stourton, Leeds, LS10 1RS.
Teams of 10-20.
TCV has been welcoming people of all ages to learn, volunteer and play in the natural environment at our award winning eco-centre and nature area in Leeds for over 25 years.
We offer great educational visits for schools and groups, seasonal activity days for childminders, support people to volunteer in conservation and education, and run lots of training and fun events for kids, adults, teachers, childminders and families
Your tasks will contribute to the maintenance and development of the wildlife area at Skelton Grange Environment Centre, an environmental education centre used by schools and the local community.
Team tasks include:
- Habitat management work:
- Coppicing, planting and installing of habitat boxes to improve the woodland habitat at the centre.
- Meadow creation to create vibrant habitats for pollinating insects.
- Improving our pond habitats with planting work – both in and around the ponds.
- Upgrading visitor resources – Creating outdoor classrooms spaces to enable visiting children a valuable, hands-on, learning experience in the outdoors
- Improving pathways and access routes at the centre
2. York – Project
TBC as our operations leader is on annual leave, but likely to be board walk construction adjacent to a wetland area. This is a new project for 2018, so I need to confirm the details with our ops leader when he returns to work w/c 9th April.
3. Birmingham – 2 x projects
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.
Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2GW.
Teams of 10-50
TCV has been supporting QEH for several years, creating, developing and maintaining multiple outdoor areas around the hospital which are used daily by patients, staff and visitors.
This project is likely to focus on continuing our work within the memory and reminiscence space which was improved and developed in 2017. This space is being turned into a multi-use area to provide a quiet floral sanctuary within the QEH campus for patients, staff and visitors (including injured soldiers) to take time out and relax.
Teams Tasks TBC but typically:
- Planting up the space
- Continuing with the development of new areas including clearing, maintenance and creating planting structures
Saltwells Local Nature Reserve, Dudley.
Saltwells Lane, Netherton, Dudley, DY5 1AX.
Teams of 10-20.
TCV are delivering a 3-year improvement project at Saltwells LNR aimed at increasing the biodiversity of the site and encouraging community engagement.
Over the past 12 months the site has been opened up by removing dead and decayed trees to allow more light to reach the woodland floor and allowing plants such as bluebells to flourish.
One of the key areas we are focused on is to encourage kingfishers breeding on the reserve by managing Black Brook which winds its way through the site.
There are also improvements to pathways and fencing being undertaken which will allow more people to use the reserve safely on a regular basis.
Team Tasks TBC but typically:
- Woodland management, access and right of way, biological surveys and small construction projects
4. Manchester – Project
Sale Water Park, Manchester.
Sale Water Park, Sale Visitor Centre, Rifle Road, Greater Manchester M33 2LX.
Teams of 10-50.
TCV have a long-term commitment to improve Sale Water Park to enhance its reputation for visitors and wildlife. The main project for 2018 is to continue our restoration of the lakeside area, removing scrub, brambles and overgrown vegetation.
The scrub, which is taking over the lakeside is unattractive for visitors and a litter trap. We would like to cut back all the scrub and open the lake verges to help restore the grassland. This will create a natural resting and feeding area for wildfowl and a nicer place for visitors and families to picnic and enjoy the lake and wildlife.
Wates volunteers will immediately be able to see a difference in the area they are working, through the removal of the scrub. The work will mainly be cutting back with loppers and bow saws, some digging out of roots in certain areas and removing the litter that has accumulated in the scrub with litter pickers.
Team Tasks:
- Woodland management to improve areas for birds and general diversity
- Restoration of grassland and meadows
- Maintenance and improvements of the Visitor Hub and its surroundings
- Maintenance of paths and hedges
- Enhancement of the lakeside as a place for visitors to enjoy
- A chance to work together to achieve a goal and work as part of a greater project
5. Bristol – Project
The Tree Life Centre, Bristol.
Tree Life Centre, Grimsbury Farm, Grimsbury Road, Kingswood, BS15 9SE.
Teams of 10-25.
TCV has managed the TLC for over 15 years, working with almost 30+ volunteers and community groups on a regular basis, we use the site to propagate trees, vegetables and wildflowers.
TCV provide training and classes for adults with learning difficulties who help manage our tree trail, herb garden and various horticulture spaces. Additional learning and classes are also delivered throughout the year in our sheltered outdoor learning area.
Corporate volunteering support is incredibly important to keep the Tree Life Centre open to the public as they can help with the larger projects that aren’t always easily accessible to our volunteers, many of whom have learning difficulties.
Team Tasks TBC but could include:
- Sowing, potting on and planting out native wildflowers
- Rebuilding raised beds in our tree nursery area
- Preparing vegetable growing areas
- Willow weaving
- Weeding/mulching/ cutting grass
- Watering
- Turning compost bays/ muck heap
6. Leatherhead – 3 x Projects (Hounslow Heath)
Hounslow Heath – Creation of a bee bank, the removal of Hawthorn and rose bushes from the meadow area to create a more suitable habitat for short eared owls and the removal of gorse and broom to help conserve the heather pens. This is a lovely site for a team to visit, great for spotting wildlife – our Project Officer has also suggested fitting in a reptile walk with a good chance of spotting adders and slow worms! – Ideally 11th June.
I have contacted our Richmond team about some sites in Ham and Teddington and will update this week.
7. London – 2 x projects
Camden, St. Andrews Gardens WC1X 8XG.
Formerly a burial ground for St Andrew's Holborn that closed for burials in 1850, the site was converted into public gardens in 1885. The park has benefitted from enhancements to the wild flower meadow and creation of a new living class room.
TCV is delivering projects aimed at encouraging local schools to use the area as well as enhancing the gardens for local people. This area is dedicated to wildflower meadows over the spring and summer and is an important site for conservation, with the park supporting many invertebrates as well as mammals.
Your task for the day will be:
- Building a pond dipping platform and making signs for the living class room
Waltham Forest (Bateman Road), Community Allotment.
This is a brand new long-term project for TCV, we have recently taken management of an old overgrown community allotment.
Our vision is to regenerate this space with new raised beds, an orchard and restoring the green house. The site will support and engage the local community via food growing initiatives, Green Gym programmes and general outdoor focused activity.
Your task for the day will be:
- Helping to clear the existing vegetation and constructing a new fence