Everyday life · England
Helping nature as a volunteer
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You can choose to give time to help nature.
You can ask for support to take part.
What is conservation?
Conservation means helping to protect nature.
It includes looking after places where wildlife lives.
Choose a task
You could help grow plants or care for a park.
You could help with information or an event.
Ask to try something you enjoy.
TCV and BTCV
TCV means The Conservation Volunteers.
This organisation used to be called BTCV.
It has local activities to help green spaces.
Green Gym
Green Gym is outdoor volunteering with TCV.
Sessions are free.
Ask about a task and pace that suit you.
Arrange a first visit
Contact the group before you go.
Ask about booking, age rules and available places.
You could ask for a short first visit.
Check access
Ask about paths, toilets and places to rest.
Explain how you want people to communicate with you.
Ask about a quiet place if you need one.
Plan your support
Agree who will help you.
Ask if your own supporter can come.
Do not assume a group leader can give personal care.
Check costs
Ask about travel, food and equipment costs.
Ask if any costs can be paid back.
Learn the task
Ask someone to show you what to do.
Follow safety instructions.
Stop and ask if you are unsure.
Tell someone about problems
Tell the organiser if something feels unsafe.
You can ask for a different task or a break.
You can choose to stop volunteering.
Your next step
Think about what you enjoyed.
Decide whether you want to go again.
You can change your plan.
What you can do next
Ask about a role you would like to try.
Take someone you choose to a first visit if that helps.
Find local TCV activities Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- The Conservation Volunteers: find TCV near you Web page
Find local conservation activities and contacts. TCV was previously known as BTCV.
- TCV: find a Green Gym Web page
Find outdoor volunteering groups. Ask about available places, the site and any support you need.
- The Wildlife Trusts: volunteering opportunities Web page
Search by your English town or postcode, activity and time available. Confirm vacancies directly with the local Trust.
- TCV: what volunteering involves Web page
Examples of activities and the organisation’s approach to leaders, tools and safety.
- TCV: volunteer policies and support Web page
Links to its safety, inclusion, insurance and safeguarding policies.
- TCV: raising a safeguarding concern Web page
How to tell TCV about concerns involving volunteers, participants or staff.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Conservation volunteering, TCV and Green Gym — Easy Read
Find a role helping nature, learn about TCV and Green Gym, and agree access, tasks and support before you join.
England · Local roles, age rules, access and available support vary
Choose how you want to help
Think about what interests you: plants, birds, local parks, meeting people or learning a skill. Conservation volunteering can include planting, caring for paths, recording wildlife or helping a community garden. There may also be office, digital or event roles. You do not have to choose heavy work. Ask what is available and whether you can visit or try a task before making a regular commitment.
TCV is the organisation once called BTCV
The Conservation Volunteers, or TCV, was previously known as the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, or BTCV. Its local teams organise activities caring for green spaces in towns and the countryside. Use the TCV finder for your area. The main volunteering page describes trained leaders, safety briefings and equipment for its activities; confirm the arrangements for the session you want to join.
What is Green Gym?
TCV Green Gym sessions combine outdoor volunteering with activity and meeting people. They are free to join. Tasks can include gardening, growing food, planting or looking after woodland. Activities and session lengths differ locally. This is not a gym with exercise machines, and joining does not mean individual health care or personal assistance will be provided. Ask about a lighter task, rest breaks and a shorter first visit if these help you.
Find other opportunities
The Wildlife Trusts’ volunteering finder lets you search by location and type of role, including some opportunities from home. Use an English town or postcode. Local park friends groups and community gardens may offer other options. Incredible Edible and Social Farms & Gardens can help you explore food-growing projects through our allotment guide. Listings may include filled or older roles, so ask the organiser about current vacancies.
Agree access and support before you go
Describe what helps you take part: picture instructions, a demonstration, time to process information, an accessible route, seating, a quiet space or a familiar supporter. Ask who will help and whether your supporter can attend. Group supervision is different from help with personal care, eating, medicine or one-to-one support. Make a clear plan for these needs. Ask about toilets, travel and what happens if you need to leave early.
Check joining rules, time and expenses
Ask about age limits, booking, registration, any referral or checks, and how often you are expected to attend. Some roles have specific age or supervision rules. Check any travel, lunch or equipment costs and whether expenses are reimbursed before spending money. A free session does not mean every related cost is paid. Our volunteering guide explains benefits, expenses and how voluntary roles differ from paid work.
Learn to use tools and recognise hazards
Listen to the site and tool briefing, with accessible explanations if needed. Ask someone to show you a task and check you are comfortable before starting. Follow the leader’s instructions and use agreed protective equipment. Do not use unfamiliar tools or enter water to help without suitable arrangements. Tell the leader about hazards, discomfort or anything you do not understand. You can stop and ask for another task.
Prepare for the day
Ask what clothes, footwear, food, drinks and equipment to bring and what the group provides. Plan for the weather, rest and transport home. Agree how the team can contact you if a session changes or is cancelled. Share relevant emergency or support information with the appropriate person, using an accessible form if needed. A first visit can be a chance to watch, meet the leader and decide whether the group suits you.
If something is wrong, or you want to change
Tell the organiser if the task or support is not working. You can ask for a different task, fewer hours or a break. If you feel unsafe, bullied or pressured, tell someone you trust and use the organisation’s complaints or safeguarding route. TCV explains ways to raise concerns with its staff or through its feedback process. You can decide not to continue.
Notice what you enjoy and learn
You may want to record new skills or take a photograph of work you are proud of, with permission where needed. Ask whether a volunteer record or reference is available if that matters to you. Volunteering can be valuable in its own right; it does not have to lead to a job. Review your plan with the person you choose and decide what you want to do next.
Words you could use
“I would like to help nature. Please explain the role, arrange an accessible first visit, and agree who will provide the support I need.”
More useful links
- The Conservation Volunteers: find TCV near you Web page
Find local conservation activities and contacts. TCV was previously known as BTCV.
- TCV: find a Green Gym Web page
Find outdoor volunteering groups. Ask about available places, the site and any support you need.
- The Wildlife Trusts: volunteering opportunities Web page
Search by your English town or postcode, activity and time available. Confirm vacancies directly with the local Trust.
- TCV: what volunteering involves Web page
Examples of activities and the organisation’s approach to leaders, tools and safety.
- TCV: volunteer policies and support Web page
Links to its safety, inclusion, insurance and safeguarding policies.
- TCV: raising a safeguarding concern Web page
How to tell TCV about concerns involving volunteers, participants or staff.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 7 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- TCV: history Web page
Previous BTCV name and the organisation’s history.
- TCV: volunteering Web page
Types of activities, trained leadership and equipment.
- TCV: Green Gym Web page
Free outdoor sessions, varied tasks and group activities.
- TCV: find a Green Gym Web page
Local groups and alternative TCV activities.
- TCV: find local activities Web page
Local contacts and activity finder.
- TCV: volunteer policies Web page
Role-specific support and policy links.
- TCV: your safety Web page
Following instructions and reporting safety concerns.
- TCV North West: preparing for a session Web page
An example of registration, practical preparation and tool briefings; check arrangements locally.
- TCV: safeguarding Web page
Ways to raise concerns about safety or conduct.
- The Wildlife Trusts: volunteer roles Web page
Outdoor and other roles, and age requirements for some activities.
- The Wildlife Trusts: opportunities Web page
Search roles by location, activity and availability; some listings may no longer be recruiting.
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