To find out more about our group click on the links below to go direct to the relevant section, or you can scroll down through all the information.
Who we are What we do Where we work Where we stay Getting there What's involved What you need What it costs What's in it for youThe London and West Middlesex National Trust Volunteers
The L&WMNTV are an environmental conservation group, who perform practical conservation work on National Trust properties throughout England and Wales. The group is a voluntary non-profit-making organisation.
The group, which was founded in 1977, draws its membership primarily from London and the Home Counties, but does have members thoughout Britain and even some on mainland Europe.
We have about 200 members from a wide range of backgrounds, age groups and skills. Our work parties vary in size between 5 and 20 people, and in a year our group alone usually completes between 4,500 and 5,000 hours of voluntary work for the Trust.
What the L&WMNTV do
We perform a variety of tasks to help the National Trust on just about every weekend through the year. Most of these are for the whole weekend (arrive Friday evening and leave early Sunday afternoon), staying at NT Basecamps, although we also have day tasks (usually on a Sunday), and occasional weeks (summer and New Year). We go to places around London and in many counties throughout England and Wales.
The majority of the work is conservation work which often means "scrub bashing" i.e. removing flourishing vegetation because it has invaded special areas or stops other species from growing or living there. Other work may involve clearing out ponds, tree planting, repairs to paths, fencing, or occasionally steps need to be cut into hillsides. We also help at events such as concerts and plays with a variety of tasks including car parking, stewarding, taking tickets, and litter picking after the event. So a variety of tasks are on offer throughout the year. Examples of previous tasks are given on the Conservation tasks and Concert tasks pages, with pictures of some of the work in the Photo gallery.
Work Locations
We go to many places around London and in several counties throughout England and Wales. Some of these are at NT properties, working in the gardens or on the estate or in Woodland or countryside owned by the NT. Full details of future events are in our quarterly booklet "Weekenders" and on the Programme of tasks page.
Accommodation
We stay in NT basecamps which are buildings that the Trust has converted from former uses, such as estate offices, barns, and stables. A few have been specifically built for the purpose and get widely used. Nearly all offer shower facilities, bunk beds with mattresses (but no bedding - you need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow), full cooking facilities, crockery and cutlery and, most important for the winter months, are heated. More information on the basecamps can be found in the Basecamp guide.
Travel arrangements
The weekend usually starts by travelling on a Friday evening and meeting up in a pub near to the basecamp. If you do not have a car or do not want to drive yourself, the weekend leader will try to arrange a lift for you, either from London or from a convenient railway station. We normally manage to arrange things so that members share lifts and costs. Travel costs are sorted out directly between passengers and drivers: if there are any quibbles the passengers each pay the driver 3p per mile travelled (a rough guide to distances is given in the Group's newsletter and the basecamp booklet). Work is all day Saturday and Sunday morning. Once we have cleaned and tidied the basecamp, we head home although, especially in the summer, visiting Trust properties and their tearooms is popular.
What does the work involve?
As mentioned above a lot of the work is conservation which often means removing flourishing vegetation because it has invaded special areas (like chalk downland) or stops other species from growing or living there. Other work may involve repairs to paths, fences, clearing out ponds, tree planting. During the summer the Trust also requires help at a number of "events" such as concerts or plays. But we are willing to tackle whatever is needed! All of our work helps public access or the Trust's management plans. Click here for information on some of the projects we have worked on in the past.
A National Trust warden is always on hand and usually works with us and provides the tools and safety kit where needed (e.g. hard hats). Instruction in the use of all equipment is given.
No one is expected to do more than they feel able. No skills are required: just enthusiasm, worksite clothes (see below) and a sense of humour.
What do I need to bring?
Essentials
Work boots - preferably with steel toecaps. Wellingtons or walking boots are OK, but not trainers
Tough gloves (e.g. gardening gloves)
Waterproofs - preferably a jacket and trousers, as it might rain!
Warm, outdoor clothes - ones that can get dirty and muddy on the worksite
Clean change of clothes - for after your shower!
Nightwear
Wash kit and towel
Sleeping bag and pillow
Nice to have
Thermos flask - so you can take hot tea or coffee to the worksite
Torch - for finding your way round the basecamp in the middle of the night, or lighting your way back from the pub
Plasters - though we do have a First Aid kit on site
Alarm clock - though we may bring you a cup of tea before brreakfast
Camera
National Trust admission card - if you have one
How much does it cost?
The cost of a weekend (usually £8) covers two cooked breakfasts (including cereal and toast), two packed lunches, tea break snacks and an evening meal on Saturday night. The leader for the weekend works out the menu in advance (do tell us if you have any special dietary needs, or are allergic to particular foods), and does all the shopping, but fortunately there are plenty of volunteers around to help with the preparation for the meals.
The day tasks are free and it's up to you to bring along a lunch and drink to keep you going throughout the day.
If you get a lift, the driver will charge you for a share of the petrol. This makes it economical to reach beautiful places whether you are a car driver or a passenger.
These details need to be known in good time to make sure work parties are a success. So it is always helpful to book on a weekend as far in advance as you can, although late bookings can be made if places are still available. Cancellations are best avoided if possible as it can be difficult to make changes once the planning for the weekend has started.
What do you get from volunteering
These weekends are enjoyable, and are the chance to make new friends. The group has been the start of good friendships and even families.
Many of our members work in offices and find physical work challenging and a good form of exercise, and better than a visit to a gym, and also a good chance to get out and spend the weekend in the countryside.
We keep a record of volunteers' hours worked in a year. After each year-end the National Trust issues every volunteer who has done more than 50 hours work with a card which allows them free access to Trust properties for a year.
Email: bookings@lwmntv.org.uk
© 2005 London & West Middlesex National Trust Volunteers. Updated January 2008
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