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BTCV are currently running a series of site based projects in Gateshead focusing on post 16 youth health and conservation. At the rare breeds Bill Quay Community Farm they are running a MySpace?YourSpace! project for people between 16 and 25.

The challenge is to set up and run a youth lead programme of hands on practical conservation tasks focusing on the footpath network through the public open spaces.

Throughout the year groups supported by BTCV Tyne & Wear will learn valuable transferable skills in environmental construction, planning, survey techniques, team work, costing, health & safety, and report/monitoring.

The programme enables volunteers to address issues of health and personal fitness through a variety of conservation tasks – full supervision and possible ncfe accredited training is supplied through BTCV.

Volunteers are sought for the following roles;

• BTCV Youth Green Action volunteer: Work as a team member to survey, plan, and construct/repair a footpath network around the farm, inc local cycle network and sites further a field.

As an individual you will be expected to adhere to the BTCV volunteer good conduct guide lines, as an ambassador to the charity.

Your actual role will vary on a daily basis but will more than likely involve elements of communication, practical application, observation, training and skills development. You will mix with a diverse range of young people from varying backgrounds.

Example activities: Tools talks, and health & safety assessment each day, hands on practical conservation will involve the use of a wide range of hand tools, use of power tools is possible but unlikely unless certificated through BTCV. Manual handling of timber, soil, stone and manufactured materials with aids, for the construction and maintenance of the local environments.

Monitoring of your team/individual activities via use of digital media – possible blog/facebook/powerpoint/portfolio record of achievement to be generated.

Conservation tasks are seasonal but are likely to involve the like of hedgerow management, coppicing, tree planting, bulb, flower, and seed sowing, fencing, footpath surfacing, edging and creation, drainage, stile and seat construction.

For those who commit to this programme fully and as an added health element to this project the Youth Green Action volunteers will be aiming for a series of mountain bike rides and a residential field trip to another BTCV area of conservation management.

• Volunteer Officer to support Project Officer running the suite of youth health conservation projects.