Volunteer with the South West Access Team, improving access on Rights of Way in South West Hampshire
About Hampshire Countryside Service
Hampshire Countryside Service’s dedicated South West Access Team is part of a team helping care for approximately 3,000 miles of Public Rights of Way across the county.
Volunteers, working with the team and Community Engagement Ranger for South West Hampshire, Kate, can take part in sessions offering fantastic opportunities to get out into the countryside, stay active, meet new people, and help protect Hampshire’s beautiful outdoor spaces.
These sessions are a great opportunity to learn new skills, spend time outdoors, meet like-minded people, and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing an immediate difference from your efforts.
Activities available
- Becoming a Path Warden to help monitor and care for local Rights of Way by:
- Inspecting paths
- Checking signs, stiles, and ditches
- Responding to reports from ranger staff
- Undertaking light vegetation clearance
- Refreshing waymarkers
- Joining practical group task days that involve a variety of countryside projects, including:
- Installing ditch crossings
- Fitting kissing gates
- Vegetation management and clearance
- Improving access along rights of way
Access and facilities
- Activities are outside
- Specific session details will be shared with registered participants, including detailed information about the task, location, and advice on where to park
What Hampshire Countryside Service participants can expect
- Path Warden
- As a path warden, you’ll help Hampshire Countryside Service monitor and care for local Rights of Way by inspecting paths and responding to reports from ranger staff.
- No previous experience is needed, just an interest in your local footpath network and a willingness to help. Path Wardens are provided full training through one of Hampshire Countryside Service’s friendly and informal orientation sessions, held throughout the year depending on demand. Sessions take place on weekdays from 10am to 2pm.
- Once orientation is complete, you can carry out your Path Warden activities whenever suits you, whether that’s during the day, in the evenings, or at weekends.
- Group task volunteer
- Joining group volunteering tasks with Hampshire Countryside Service are a brilliant way to get involved, working together as a team.
- These practical conservation days involve a variety of countryside projects from installing ditch crossings to vegetation management and clearance.
- No experience or training is required and Hampshire Countryside Service’s ranger team will provide all the guidance and support needed. Task days are held on weekdays from 10am until around 2pm.
Where sessions take place
- Path Warden and group volunteer sessions with Hampshire Countryside Service can take place in various locations in the New Forest area, depending on individual session requirements.
- Session details will be shared with registered participants, including detailed information about the task, location, and advice on where to park.
When sessions take place
- Path Warden activities can be undertaken at times that suit you whether that’s during the day, in the evenings, or at weekends.
- Group volunteer sessions are typically held on weekdays from 10am until around 2pm.
Who can participate?
- Hampshire Countryside Service tasks are carried out in rural places in Hampshire where the ground is often uneven with work in all weathers. Details will be shared ahead of the task so people can decide in advance if it is suitable for them. There will also be contact details if anyone has any questions or wants further information.
Cost
- Free
How to book
- Register as a volunteer on the Hampshire County Council webpages and you will be contacted by the relevant member of staff.
- Once you are registered you will be contacted by the relevant member of staff who can send details of upcoming tasks. Alternatively, email PROW@hants.gov.uk.
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Not the right group for you? Find our other groups and opportunities on the Green Health Hub, or search by activity. Find out how to enjoy the New Forest on your own through the National Park Authority.
