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Heritage Volunteers

Volunteering is a vital part of efforts to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the Garnock Connections landscape. From nature reserves to historic buildings, the importance of volunteers cannot be underestimated. For many people however, there remains significant barriers to volunteering, whether it is difficulty in travelling or simply being unable to find the right opportunity.

This project aims to tackle this issue by providing links between existing volunteer groups and communities throughout the landscape. We are delivering a series of volunteering events, enabling people to find out about what opportunities are available in the landscape, and are actively supporting groups by providing equipment and putting them in touch with new volunteers.

We have also created a digital volunteering hub on our website, and a dedicated Facebook page, helping volunteers to connect with different groups, and each other, within the landscape. This will help overcome some of the barriers to volunteering that exist in the Garnock Connections area. If you are involved in a volunteer group in the area and would like to be included, get in touch with Ian.

This project is also funded through the Green Infrastructure Community Engagement Fund.

Outputs achieved so far:

3 volunteer engagement events

93 volunteer activities supported

33 volunteer groups supported

143 people volunteering for the first time

1 volunteering hub

Did you know?

Word of mouth is the most effective way of recruiting volunteers, a recent survey by NCVO showed 48% of volunteers in the UK are recruited through this method.

Photo credit: RSPB images