Conservation volunteering activities every weekday.

Conservation sessions have now finished for 2024 and will start again from 6th January, please get in touch to book on for the Monday and Friday Biodiversity Action Team or the Green Gyms on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Many of our Health Walks will be going ahead over the Christmas fortnight, please check this page for details.
Or if you are looking for ideas for nature walks to do yourselves, you could have a look at our 123 Walks website for over 100 free maps for one, two and three mile walks around local parks, woods, nature reserves and rural footpaths.

If you love being outside and active, if you enjoy nature and want to help the environment, if you like being part of a team and making a difference in your area, why don’t you join us?

We have conservation activities every weekday, mainly around the Hastings, Rother and Wealden area. There’s a range of tasks, such as woodland management, pond maintenance, footpath clearance and litter picking… all helping to make our local green spaces nicer for everyone, to improve the environment, and to help you to connect with nature and boost health and wellbeing.

Sessions are fun, free and friendly, and tasks can be adapted for different levels of ability or knowledge. You don’t need to have previous experience and you don’t need to bring anything, just wear rough clothing and sturdy footwear. We’ll bring the tools and equipment, the gloves and the guidance, and there will be support and training for each type of activity. And free tea and coffee!

Booking required so we can make sure we have enough equipment, please contact the relevant Project Officer.

Programme

• Activities have now finished for 2024 and will start again from 6th January, please get in touch to book on.
  Many of our Health Walks will be going ahead over the Christmas fortnight, please check this page for details.
  Or if you are looking for ideas for nature walks to do yourselves, you could have a look at our 123 Walks website for over 100 free maps for one, two and three mile walks around local parks, woods, nature reserves and rural footpaths.

• Mondays: Biodiversity Action Team
  Conservation days at South Wood on Potman’s Lane (adjacent to Ninfield National Grid) or occasionally other various Rother/Hastings sites. Minibus pick up from Fearon Road at 9.30am or meet on site; approx finish time 3pm.
  Contact: carrie.edmonds@tcv.org.uk / 07764 655609

• Tuesdays: Horam Green Gym at Wealden Crematorium
  A range of light-to-moderate conservation & horticultural tasks with a health focus. Set in the beautiful grounds of Wealden Crem. 10am-1pm minibus starts in Hastings, pick ups available by arrangement on the way (e.g. Hailsham, Herstmonceux) or meet on site.
  Contact: carrie.edmonds@tcv.org.uk / 07764 655609

• Wednesdays: Conquest Green Gym, Hastings
  Three hours of conservation volunteering with a health and wellbeing focus; activities including lake management, footpath creation, scrub clearance. 10am-1pm booking required. Meet on site or minibus pick up from Fearon Road (9.30).
  Contact: carrie.edmonds@tcv.org.uk / 07764 655609

• Wednesdays & Thursdays : Cuckoo Trail Green Gym
  Sessions of light conservation-for-health volunteering at various sites along the Cuckoo Trail (Heathfield, Horam, Hellingly, Hailsham, Polegate). 10am-1pm.
  Contact: rebecca.lewis@tcv.org.uk / 07483 045706
  There is also a health walk on Tuesdays as part of this project – free one hour group walk at a gentle pace, 10.30am-11.30am and going for a cup of tea afterwards. No need to book.
  1st Tuesday of month Heathfield, Newnham Way car park; 2nd Tues Horam, old station platform; 3rd Tues Hellingly, Station Road car park; 4th Tuesday Hailsham, South Road car park; 5th Tues (if there is one) Polegate from in front of the station.

• Thursdays: Church Wood Green Gym *starts 21st November 2024*
  Woodland conservation volunteering mornings that are good for your health. Tasks adaptable for all abilities. Registration required; minibus pick up from Fearon Road 9.30am or meet on site 10am. Finishes 1pm. All tools and equipment provided; training/support from leaders; free tea/coffee.
  Contact: carrie.edmonds@tcv.org.uk / 07764 655609

• Fridays: Biodiversity Action Team
  Conservation days at various Hastings/Rother sites including Brede High Woods every other week. Leave Fearon Road at 9.30am for a 10am start on site.
  Contact: carrie.edmonds@tcv.org.uk / 07764 655609

Cuckoo Trail Activity Mornings: Tues/Weds/Thurs

Horam Green Gym: light conservation/horticulture at Wealden Crem on Tuesdays

Conquest Green Gym: conservation for health at Conquest Hospital, Hastings on Wednesday

South Wood, Potman’s Lane, Ninfield: conservation volunteering in woodland and meadow on Mondays and some Fridays

Biodiversity partnership with National Grid

Join in, feel good!

Booking is required for all the conservation projects so we can make sure we have enough tools and equipment and tea/coffee.

Meet the team

Further information

Senior Project Officer Carrie Edmonds: carrie.edmonds@tcv.org.uk / 07764 655609
Senior Project Office Becky Lewis: rebecca.lewis@tcv.org.uk / 07483 045706
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
We also run the extensive East Sussex Health Walks programme.
TCV, Blacklands Business Centre, 11-15 Fearon Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 2EP
Office tel: 01424 444675

Previous activities

Funders and partners

The Biodiversity Action Team’s current programme is supported by and delivered in partnership with the following organisations:

• Court Lodge Farm
• The National Grid
• Wealden District Council
• High Weald AONB Unit
• Mid Sussex District Council
• Sussex Lund
• The Woodland Trust

The Conservation Volunteers would like to thank everyone from these organisations who we have the good fortune to work with while running the East Sussex Biodiversity Action Team.