1. Making Barrow wild

Volunteering is not just about getting dirty, you can help with our admin work, data entry and photocopying. Are you happy answering telephone enquiries? Do you have your own transport? Are you able to travel down to our South Walney office where this work will take place? We are looking for a volunteer or volunteers to help with general administration, data entry and answering enquiries about Barrow’s Wildside project. Good basic IT skills and preferably experience of spreadsheets are important as is a definite interest in wildlife and the local environment. Induction training will be provided and travel expenses reimbursed. It is essential you have your own transport. This will involve a commitment of one day a week, flexible to suit the volunteer, for two years, to begin as soon as possible. If you are interested contact either Maggie Acomb on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Call 01539 816321.

2.Bring your boots!

Are you interested in helping with practical conservation work in and around Barrow and Walney? An enthusiasm and interest in wildlife and the environment and a willingness to work outdoors is preferable.  Any interested under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. The work will take place on the green spaces, beaches and nature reserves in and around Barrow and Walney.  Volunteers will need to wear boots, steel toe caps if they have them and waterproofs.  Wear old warm clothes and bring a packed lunch. To register your interest contact Sue Thurley on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 01229 471066.

3. Stamps of approval

We have been gifted a stamp collection and need someone with knowledge of stamps and postcards to value them. Our aim is to sell the stamps and postcards to raise funds. This may involve researching in stamp books, website research, contact with philatelist groups and visiting stamp buyers. This work will be quite time consuming and will therefore require lots of patience. The volunteer could work at Gosling Sike Farm, Plumgarths or South Walney or at home or in the library. For further details contact Izzy Thorne on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01539 816300.

4. Keeping the seas alive

Are you interested in finding out about our coastal species? Are you interested in helping to collect information and share it with others about our marine/coastal environment in Cumbria? Are you able and willing to go out and survey one day a month, all year round, whatever the weather? Are you happy to work in a group and then, if you become more confident, go out and work without supervision? l Volunteers will be working in a coastal/beach environment on sandy and rocky shores — with rock pools and loose rocks and seaweed underfoot. l Training and the specific equipment for the surveys will be provided. Surveyors will, however, need to have their own appropriate outdoor clothing. l Volunteers will need to be able to get to the local coast where they have designated survey sites, car sharing may be an option. l Volunteers will need to be available from January onwards, once a month, tide dependent. Contact Izzy Thorne This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01539 816321.

5. Up on the roof

Do you live near Hutton Roof Crags or Smardale Gill nature reserves? Do you enjoy being outside, meeting new people and being involved in practical work? Then come along to our work parties. You will find the detail of the dates and times on here . We would really like your help in protecting these wonderful wildlife habitats.

6. A cut above the rest

Do you own a pair of scissors? Do you read local newspapers? Have you spotted any stories about Cumbria Wildlife Trust? Then get snipping. The marketing team works long and hard to get stories into the press but it is difficult to know if and when they have appeared. Therefore we need snippers to cut out the stories and send them to us to add to our portfolio and to ensure our conservation message is getting across to the people of Cumbria. It’s easy according to Marian Salway of the Ulverston Support Group. She said:  “It takes me only a few extra moments when I read the paper each evening to cut out relevant articles and write the name of the paper and date on them. I keep a pair of scissors and a pen handy on the coffee table next to the chair where I sit and also a ready addressed envelope which I send off at the end of each three-month period. So this is not at all an arduous task.” It is great to hear that Marian is so keen to help and, hopefully, others will join in with this worthwhile task. Give Alan Wright a ring on 01539 816316 if you can help.

7. Boxing clever

Volunteers are needed to put collection boxes in their local area:

• Are you willing to ask your local businesses if they will display a collection box? It’s best at businesses where people pay with cash and have small change. 
• Are you willing to be responsible for checking on the box at least once a year? This will involve counting the money and sending it to Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Please contact Hazel Jones at the Trust on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 01539 816300.

8. Conservation work parties

If you would like to help on a conservation work party visit our events guide.