Environmental Volunteering Project Ormide Mill, Lancashire

During the past few months an exciting and fruitful partnership has developed between Clubs for Young People and our Lancashire Association (LACYP). Using Ormside Mill (LACYP’s residential centre) in Appleby as a base, a series of environmental volunteering projects have taken place. Expertly led by the centre’s Development Manager, Tim Taylor, the projects have gone a long way in making the surrounding environment a better place for young people to visit.

Picture: Ormside Mill

The environmental projects aim to not only improve the look of the centre but also ensure that essential maintenance of the natural environment is taken care of. Through volunteering with these projects young people are able to learn about the natural environment, its impact on wildlife, and a range of practical skills that can be transferred to other areas of their lives. These are fantastic opportunities for young people come together, meet new friends and gain a real sense of achievement from helping others.

Fundraising

Before participants volunteered onsite, a great amount of time and effort went into fundraising for the project they are about to undertake. One group for example were involved in bag packing sessions at local supermarkets raising a £365 and £300 on two separate occasions. The group then used this money to buy materials such as timber and tools to help them complete their environmental projects.

Projects

The projects undertaken are aimed at maintaining the natural environment, improving facilities and creating products by recycling natural and locally sourced materials. Projects included:

Picture: The picture shows
Tasha Russell using her
woodwork technique to
transform an old log
into a chair leg.

Fencing and dipping platform

In order to make the centre’s pond (created last year by v volunteers) safe young people have designed and built a fence and dipping platform which allows accessibility by disabled users.

Creating a ‘fedge’

Volunteers played an instrumental role in creating combined fence and hedge, commonly referred to as a ‘fedge’. Fedges are made using willow branches and are living, growing fences that attract wildlife and mark boundaries around particular areas.

Coppicing

Coppicing is the term used to describe the cutting of trees and shrubs to ground level, allowing strengthened regrowth and plays a key role in creating sustainable timber supply for future generations. Not many of the volunteers had even heard of coppicing before taking part in this project so it was with great interest that they learnt and practiced this new skill at Ormside Mill.

Picture: Young volunteers
unveiling their new
plaque to celebrate
environmental projects
at Ormside Mill.

Recycling

One group has helped to construct a natural lathe (wood turning tool) and have used the wood collected from coppicing to create beautiful, natural furniture such as stools and chairs. Excess wood can also be used to make charcoal. This recycled product can then be used on the barbeque to cook food!

Tasha who participated in a residential as part of the project said that the group really bonded. When asked if she enjoyed it she said "I enjoyed every part – there wasn’t a single thing I didn’t like."

Young people involved in the projects have listed many benefits to volunteering.

Tasha thinks the key benefits to her are:

• Teamwork and working successfully in a team
• Communication skills
• Helping others
• Good for potential employers to know about
• Sense of enjoyment and achievement

Ashley, who also participated in the project enjoyed:

• Meeting new friends
• Helping the community
• Helping disabled people
• Team building

Terry Ryall, v Chief Executive, said:

"v is delighted to be able to provide financial support to Ormside Mill through our Match Fund programme for this project which will inspire young people to volunteer in Cumbria."

Clubs for Young People continue to work closely with LACYP to develop further volunteering opportunities for young people. Several residential weekends are planned over the next few months, so why not get involved?

Places are limited so be quick!