Volunteering

We offer volunteering opportunities to all our members, who support a range of projects to help improve access and preserve the landscape of the South Downs for the enjoyment of everyone, for future generations. Our Area Access Officers help us ensure that our footpaths and bridleways remain open and accessible across the whole of the National Park. We also offer the opportunity for volunteers to be creative through articles, social media collaborations, and creative projects, as well as supporting our events and walks and strolls programme.

Volunteers play a critical role in helping us to achieve our aims and objectives so anyone offering to become a volunteer is made to feel very welcome. Here are some of the activities where your help would be greatly appreciated:

Walks Leaders

If you have local knowledge of the South Downs and are good at organising events you can help research and lead our annual programme of over 200 walks.

Trustees/Council members

If you want to be part of setting the strategic direction of the Society and making sure that its aims are achieved then you would be welcome as a Council member.

Council meets 4 times a year but in addition most members are active in other areas of the Society’s work.

Events Volunteers

Friends of the South Downs attend events throughout the year to raise our profile and attract new members. If you would like to join us at these events to help promote the charity and attract new members, please email the office via the contact form on the website.

Grants Officers

Help us gain grant funding for major projects and key initiatives that help to restore and conserve the South Downs.

Rivers Trust Volunteers

For the Western Sussex Rivers Trust opportunities, please email sam@wsrt.org.uk to sign-up as a volunteer to support our partnership projects.

For the Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust opportunities, please email jo.owens@oart.org.uk to sign up as a volunteer to support our partnership projects.

For more information about University of Brighton student volunteering, pleas email enquiries@friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk.

Area Access Officers

Help us ensure that our footpaths and bridleways remain open and accessible in a small area around where you live.

District Officers

Help us keep an eye on and comment on planning applications in your own locality.

Membership recruiters

Help us attract new members by assisting with a variety of recruitment activities.

Fundraising assistants

Keep your eyes and ears open in your local area for any opportunities to help raise funds for the Society.

Local recruiters

Nobody knows your own area better than you do. Help us to recruit new members by delivering membership leaflets to houses in your neighbourghood.

Outlet stockers

Take an active role in approaching various local outlets such as libraries, tea shops, community centres, etc. about displaying a supply of Society membership leaflets and then help to keep them stocked up.