Get involved
Get involved in our work as a volunteer, meet new friends and explore all the Chilterns has to offer!
If you are interested in gaining new skills, meeting new people and generally having a great time engaging with the landscape and heritage of the Central Chilterns, please sign up below to join our volunteer teams. You could be helping us plant a new hedge, survey wildlife, uncover lost histories, revive a craft and so much more. Our volunteers come from a range of interests and backgrounds – and we are truly amazed by their dedication and passion for the work they do!
What does it mean to be a 'Chilterns Champion'?
A Chilterns Champion could be anyone in the Chilterns, who has become an expert in their field, champions local wildlife, gives back to their community or inspires others.
There are many ways to be a Chilterns Champion. You could:
- Volunteer with one of our projects or our delivery partners (Chiltern Rangers, Bucks New University, Amersham Museum, BBOWT)
- Share your expert knowledge with a wider audience, perhaps through an online webinar or leaflet
- Help us record the sound of the Chilterns on our sonic map
- Champion a green space in your town, or organise a new community garden
- Work with young people to offer them new skills and opportunities.
What do our volunteers have to say?
What is the best thing about volunteering with the project? “Meeting others with an interest in the area and hearing the Buckinghamshire accent of my grandmother again after so many years. Finding so many related families in the villages near Chesham.”- Meriel, a volunteer with our Woodlanders’ Lives and Landscapes project
“The guidance and support offered by Helena and Lesley has been great and their feedback is so encouraging . Of equal benefit is being part of a bigger team. It is very pleasing to see some of my research published on the blog and know I am contributing to a long term project.” – Jane, a volunteer with our Woodlanders’ Lives and Landscapes project
What I’ve enjoyed and learned: “Finding about women’s craft and skills. I feel part of a skilled community doing original research. Little was known about the Chilterns tambour beaders’ businesses, yet it’s proved a strong story to tell. As I have Woodlanders amongst my ancestors, I was fascinated to learn more about their lives, understand how they fed their families, and to have the opportunity to handle the types of tools that they used” – Susan, a volunteer with our Woodlanders’ Lives and Landscapes project
“For me personally, it has fulfilled my great ambition of spreading knowledge about local bobbin lace and teaching younger people how to do it. Most of us who have this skill are getting on in years, and I really feel this is important.” – Rosemary, a volunteer with our Woodlanders’ Lives and Landscapes project
Read more on our blog
Our New Shoots scheme for young people helped Freddie follow his passion for the environment
Our New Shoots scheme gives young people experience in conservation. Freddie, one of our first New Shoots cohort, tells us what he’s been up to since...
Volunteers celebrated for their extraordinary work on heritage project
In October, volunteers with the Woodlanders' Lives and Landscapes project were invited to a celebration of their efforts over the past four years.
Tracking the Impact – 2023 season ends on a high!
The 2023 Tracking the Impact season is over. Support continues to grow, and we would like to draw 2023 to a close by saying a huge thank you to everyone involved.
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