Call for volunteers to help improve Leeds’s parks and green spaces

Earlier this year, Leeds City Council, in partnership with Voluntary Action Leeds, launched their new scheme Volunteer Team Leeds, with the aim of bringing together and inviting new people to join the city’s vibrant volunteering community.

In time for summer, people can sign up to new opportunities to volunteer as parks rangers at several sites, helping to plant and nurture flowers and trees, do general maintenance of the park or help look after habitats for wildlife in nature reserves.

Winnie is one of the regular volunteers at a local nature reserve, led by one of Leeds City Council’s countryside rangers. Having moved to Leeds from Taiwan in 2017, the data specialist decided to join to get more involved in her community.

“The volunteering has helped me to understand the city a lot better. It also helps me to go out and spend time with some really kind people and make a positive difference in nature. The rangers I meet are all so knowledgeable and I’ve learned so much from them," she said.

Also looking for volunteers is Leeds City Council's public rights of way team, who work tirelessly to record and keep public rights of way open. Volunteers are invited to join the team for task days to keep the network accessible and well maintained which can include repairing stiles and gates or helping with surfacing works.

Volunteer Team Leeds offers a diverse range of ways to contribute, from city-wide events like Light Night and Leeds International Film Festival, to vital volunteer befriending schemes and looking after the city’s parks.

Alongside the council opportunities, Voluntary Action Leeds continues to run community and third sector volunteering.

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, and champion for volunteering, said: “Summer is the perfect opportunity to sign up to volunteer with one of our parks and wildlife initiatives, getting to spend time outdoors and pick up a new skill.

“We believe volunteers are at the heart of our city and with Volunteer Team Leeds we’re hoping to get even more people signing up to share skills, meet people and learn new things.

“I’d like to encourage all residents of Leeds to sign up and join the growing community of volunteers making a brilliant positive impact through council-supported initiatives across the city.”

Volunteer Team Leeds is funded through central government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is administered locally by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Read more about Volunteer Team Leeds and sign up at www.volunteerteamleeds.co.uk.

ENDS