Apply to be a Parks and Green Space Lead Volunteer

What you need to do to become a Parks and Green Space Lead Volunteer

Our Parks and Green Space service works with Friends of Park Groups and volunteers across the city to maintain and improve our cities green spaces for people and nature.

Before starting a Friends of Park group, you'll need to apply to be a Parks and Green Space Lead Volunteer.

About the role

Lead Volunteers plan, organise and lead outdoor practical activities to improve green spaces in Bristol owned and managed by the council. This includes supervising groups of volunteers in tasks such as litter picking, tree care and vegetation clearance.

Apply to join an existing team of lead volunteers, or to set up a new group or project.

• pdf Read the Parks Volunteer Lead job description(212 KB)

Apply to be a Parks Volunteer Lead

Training for Lead Volunteers

Successful Lead Volunteer applicants will be invited to Parks Health and Safety training. The course covers key aspects in organising and running volunteer activities in a green space, including risk assessments, tool use, hazardous plants and additional support.

Insurance and supervision

Trained Parks and Green Space Lead Volunteers are covered under our personal accident and public liability insurance to lead group participants in a range of practical tasks using hand tools. Lead Volunteers are responsible for group participants health and safety and will have a designated volunteer manager to support them in the role.

Forms 

• document Site specific risk assessment template(28 KB)
• document Park volunteer activity health and safety plan(45 KB)
• document Accident report form(16 KB)
• document Attendance sheet for work sessions(24 KB)

General risk assessments

• document General risk assessment form: relevant to any outdoor work sessions(47 KB)
• document Tool use(26 KB)
• document Manual handling(31 KB)

Activity-based risk assessments

• document Guided walks and talks(30 KB)
• document Hedgelaying and tree pruning(27 KB)
• document Litter picking(37 KB)
• document Scrub and vegetation clearance (26 KB)
• document Wildlife surveying(39 KB)
• document Scything risk assessment(33 KB)

Training packs

• document Pack A: Parks Health and Safety training support pack (3.94 MB)
• document Pack B: Parks Health and Safety pack including forms and risk assessments(1.88 MB)

Nature conservation guidance 

• document Bristol Parks Nature Conservation Guidance and timetable for actions(48 KB)
•  Visit Team Wilder (Avon Wildlife Trust's) website for information on how to start a new project and access training and resources including how-to guides on meadow creation, natural barriers and dead hedges.