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Conservation inspires young volunteers

Adrian Harms/BBC Three participants in the My Green Future volunteering project pictured coppicing in the woods in Frensham, Surrey. On the right-hand side is two male participants, one of which is using a tool to coppice a tree. On the left-hand side is a female participant, who is watching the process. Adrian Harms/BBC
The programme is designed to equip participants with a variety of practical skills, including coppicing

A volunteering project designed to give young people across Surrey experience in conservation aims to break down barriers to entering "quite an elitist" sector.

Air Time Community Interest Company (CIC), which aims to address health inequalities through expose to nature, is leading the My Green Future volunteering project for young people aged 18-24.

The group, who were coppicing in the woods at Countryside Regeneration Trust's Pierrepont Farm in Frensham on Tuesday, is made up of those who may otherwise struggle to access this sector.

Jo Woodhams from Air Time CIC told BBC South East that the project's main aim is to "provide opportunities for people from underrepresented communities".

Adrian Harms/BBC A sign welcoming visitors to Pierrepont Farm in Frensham, Surrey. The sign displays information about the Countryside Regeneration Trust, an organisation dedicted to 'regenerating the countryside and reversing the decline of farmland wildlife'.Adrian Harms/BBC
The group visited the Countryside Regeneration Trust's Pierrepont Farm in Frensham to learn about coppicing

She said: "Most people that work in environmental conservation have got there by doing lots of volunteering... unless you come from a family that can afford to support you whilst you're doing that it's just not possible for many people."

Admitting that conservation is among the least diverse sectors, Ms Woodhams hopes this project goes some way to bridging that gap by providing travel, lunch and personal protective equipment (PPE) for participants.

Alongside this, everyone who completes the programme receives a £300 training budget to spend on further courses relevant to conservation.

Among the participants is university graduate Aspin, who completed her degree in ecology and wildlife conservation last year.

She was full of praise for the project, which is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme.

She said: "I was looking to gain some practical experience, and this has been really good because it's been a real diverse range of things, working with different organisations."

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