WildVolunteering 2013
What is it?
The WildVolunteering Award has been created through a partnership between Derby City Council, the University of Derby and WildDerby for students at the University. Taking part in the award scheme will see you undertake a project that will contribute positively to biodiversity and wildlife habitats in the city of Derby and rural Derbyshire.
There are two key elements to the award. The first is 'hands on' either undertaking a project/field work or working within a school or local business. The second requires you to produce a short report outlining the aims of your project, what you have achieved and the findings from your study. Each project awarded will need to be completed by December 2013.
What will I get from it?
By taking part you will contribute positively to biodiversity and wildlife habitats in the city of Derby. You will also become part of the WildDerby partnership and help partners to achieve their aims. Your contribution will be highly valued and the information collected during your project will be used by our partners to inform their work. You will also achieve work experience and learn new skills.
Finally, when you have completed your project you will receive a work reference from your sponsor to present to prospective employers. You will also receive £50 at the start of the project to cover expenses, and to purchase any items you will need to carry out the project, and £50 upon completion as a little 'thank you' for your hard work.
Some of the WildVolunteering opportunities can be undertaken as a Derby Award project
What are the requirements?
To take part you must:
- be a student at the University of Derby. Those students who took part last year told us they really benefitted from their community involvement and had a great time
- be able to work alone or have someone you can work alongside
- prepare a risk assessment and record your times of working
- sign a contract to complete the topic/title and attend meetings with your supervisor throughout the duration of the project
- be prepared to have your competence assessed during an informal interview before the award of a project
What is expected from me?
You will be expected to produce a current CV and present two copies at your interview. The interview will be informal and attended by at least two other people who form the selection panel responsible for allocating the projects to the successful students. When you attend the interview you must have selected your top three choices of project.
You will be told if you have been successful by email within three weeks of your interview. You will be expected to act professionally at all times and if you have an external placement. You must abide by the requirements/instructions of the school/business you volunteer. You will be expected to attend meetings with your supervisor and to report on progress when requested. You will provide a short written report at the end of your project detailing the work completed and recommendations for future projects if applicable. The nature of the report will depend upon the type of project completed.
What can I expect from my Project Supervisor?
Your project supervisor will be available to answer questions about your project and provide you with support and guidance when needed. They will be contactable by email and available for one to one meetings if required. We welcome your applications to take part in WildVolunteering 2013.
Good luck!
Beverley Rhodes, WildDerby, Tel: 07812 300018
Jason Nichols, University of Derby, Email: j.nichols@derby.ac.uk
» WildScience In Schools (15 places)
Students who take this opportunity will receive a 3 day training course in January delivered by the WildScience project. You will need an interest in education and wildlife, and also using wildlife, science and play with children and adults and be comfortable with occasionally working outdoors. A CRB check is helpful but not essential. You will be asked to work with 10 different classes and deliver education to children on the subject of wildlife. The age, subject area and school will be decided in conjunction with your WildScience mentor, secondary school work will be encouraged.
We will request a report of your work that includes feedback of your experience and feedback from the schools you have worked with.
Supervisor: WildScience mentors Jill Leheup jleheup@derbyshirewt.co.uk and Ros Allen.
End date: December 2013.
» Wildlife In The Workplace at Swadlincote Marina or a School (3-4 places)
Students with an understanding of biodiversity and an interest in surveying wildlife are invited to assist with the delivery of this new initiative. You will be required to source a business establishment in Derby and present the idea of a Biodiversity Plan, or health check that will improve their premises for wildlife using your recommendations. It may improve an area for lunchtime staff, for education or improve the visual appearance of the premises. It may just be for wildlife and biodiversity enhancement.
We will ask for a report that includes an internet survey of wildlife for your site, some simple surveying of the premises and neighbouring sites, for example birds and flora, and create a five year Action Plan with tasks that you think the Company can achieve. What will they achieve if they implement your ideas? You will have to present your case to the company at the concept stage and at the end sell your simple proposals. Plenty of pictures will help. We have two sites ready at the Shardlow Marina, in south Derbyshire and Arboretum Park for Derby City Council. You may know a local school?
Supervisor: Debbie Alston, Derbyshire LBAP Officer for Lowland Derbyshire, 01629 539771, debbie.alston@derbyshire.gov.uk
End date: December 2013.
» Wildlife Interpretation, Create an Illustrative Panel, Alvaston Park, Derby
You will be able to spend some time on Alvaston Park and have photographic and simple computer graphic skills. You will be required to liaise with Derby City Council, as the landowner, and our local friend's group, Friends of Alvaston Park to secure the historical and wildlife knowledge.
Students will be asked to create an outdoor interpretive panel. You will complete the research and desk-top publish the artwork to draft design stage using a software package of your choice. The subject matter will be Alvaston Park, Derby, its habitats, wildlife and unique position next to the River Derwent.
Supervisor: Beverley Rhodes, WildDerby, 07812 300018. beverley.rhodes@derby.gov.uk
End date: August 2013.
» Bird Leaflet, Markeaton Park, Derby
You will be required to liaise with the local friends group, have knowledge of photography, simple computer graphic skills and also find funding. An interest in birds is recommended.
Using a programme of your choice you will be asked to desk-top publish the artwork for a leaflet which delivers information about Markeaton Park and its wildlife. The leaflet will be about birds. You will map an existing trail onto the leaflet and use colour pictures to help people discover new areas of the Park and explore new areas for birds. You will be asked to find funding for the printing of the colour leaflet and complete a grant application on behalf of the Friends of Markeaton Park.
Supervisor: Dawn Wilson and Ann Morgan, Friends of Markeaton Park dawnwilson1@ntlworld.com
End date: September 2013.
» Maurice Lea Memorial Park, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, South Derbyshire
The Park is our only Green Flag site in South Derbyshire. To meet targets for biodiversity we would like a student to carry out the following:
1. Wildlife walkover survey of the Park.
2. Recommendations for improving biodiversity, including but not exclusively:
- Planting
- Change in maintenance regimes
- Establishment of wildflower meadow
- Providing habitats (mini beast, bird/bug/bat boxes)
3. Methodology for carrying out one or more of the recommendations including research into techniques of a wildflower meadow establishment, plus costs.
4. Production and presentation of report.
Supervisor: Zoe Sewter, South Derbyshire District Council, zoe.sewter@south-derbyshire.gov.uk
End date: End of May 2013.
» Research And Interpretation, Swadlincote Woodlands, South Derbyshire
Created in 1990 as part of a major urban regeneration scheme, Swadlincote Woodlands is one of many sites which has reclaimed old industrial land and transformed it into an urban green-space. Formerly clay opencast and coal mines, the site has an interesting history and the green and leafy site you see today bears no relation to the industrial and dirty land it once was - like much of the National Forest, which Swadlincote is at the heart of.
We are hoping to designate part of the site a Local Nature Reserve in the next 12 months and want to produce some interpretive materials which will help to explain the habitats on the site, the management techniques we use and also how the site used to look. We would like a student to carry out the following:
- Site walkover survey with Open Space Manager to map the habitats
- Research existing wildlife records for a list of species found on the site
- Research into cultural and industrial heritage of the site, including the photographs (potential to use the Magic Attic local history archive)
- Production of text for interpretation materials, to be used by SDDC as leaflet, web page, interpretation panel and poster
Supervisor: Zoe Sewter, South Derbyshire DC, zoe.sewter@south-derbyshire.gov.uk
End date: End of July 2013.
» Wildlife Interpretation Officer, West Hallam Screens, with National England
You will produce a leaflet highlighting the ecological habitat, wildlife and management of the West Hallam Screens local wildlife site, near Mapperley, Derbyshire.
This must include general text and images to encourage people to walk through and enjoy the site, and understand the habitats and its uniqueness. We are preparing to undertake management of the site to protect its natural future. The leaflet will be printed and made available to the local community through local groups but also be available to download. You will be required to find a small amount of funding for printing and organise a leaflet launch.
You will be expected to engage with the owner, partners and other agencies to produce the leaflet, leaving a legacy for the future. On completion you will receive a copy of your leaflet and an assessment of your work to take to prospective employers.
Supervisor: Mark Taylor, Natural England Lead Advisor for West Hallam Screens. 07900 657078, mark.taylor2@naturalengland.org.uk
End date: October 2013.
» Wildlife Events Officer, West Hallam Screens, with National England
You will set up and help deliver a programme of events focusing on the wildlife and habitats of West Hallam Screens local wildlife site. You will plan, schedule and deliver these to a local audience using an event flyer and a range of media avenues.
There will be approximately four events showcasing the habitats, wildlife and management on the site, following consultation with the team. You will be the point of contact for enquires that come from visitors to the events. Long term we hope site users will gain an improved understanding of the site and how it is managed.
There will be an amount of media work with this project and you will be expected to engage with the owner, partners and other agencies to produce the leaflet. On completion you will receive a copy of your work and an assessment to take to prospective employees.
Supervisor: Mark Taylor, Natural England Lead advisor for West Hallam Screens. 07900 657078, mark.taylor2@naturalengland.org.uk
End date: October 2013.
» Moth Survey, Stugess Fields, Derby (1 place)
You will be asked to undertake a Moth Survey of Sturgess Fields using recognised sampling methods. Information from previous surveys is available by researching University records and county records will be available from the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Entomological Society. You will produce a summary report of your findings. The report will be used by the University to evidence on going work towards meeting the targets identified in the University of Derby Biodiversity Action Plan. WildDerby will support your work and you will receive a copy of your report and an assessment of your work to take to prospective employers.
Supervisor: Lynn Richards (Estates) and Karim Vahed (Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences) University of Derby for WildDerby.
End date: October 2013.
» IT Support, Lonny Wilsoncroft Centre, Derby
You will support adults with little or no computer experience to improve their skills and knowledge. Tasks will range from using the mouse and keyboard to surfing the Internet, accessing emails and social media and also word processing and spreadsheets. You will need to have good communication skills, be patient and be able to keep accurate records of learners' attendance, session activities and feedback.
The sessions will be held once a week on a Friday morning at the Lonny Wilsoncroft Community Centre, near Ashbourne Road in Derby.
Supervisor: Jason Nichols, Community Relations, University of Derby. j.nichols@derby.ac.uk
» Fairtrade Project, Derby (1 place)
You will be interested in the issues of Fairtrade. The University Fairtrade Committee would like to understand how to network with and influence the behaviour of the different departments within the University. You will be expected to meet with people to research existing practices and explore what practical implications there are for Fairtrade in the University and how this can be developed through policies and procedures. The final report should highlight what connections could and should be initiated and how this can be actioned going forward.
Supervisor: David Downing, University Chaplain, d.downing@derby.ac.uk
So as a student what do I do now?
1. Select your top three choices of projects
2. Book an appointment for informal discussion - you will need to bring your CV
3. Sign an agreement to deliver the project, including start and finish dates and receive half the bursary payment
4. Place meet-up dates in a diary and share all contact details
5. Continue to request help and support
6. Write a project summary of your experiences and receive your reference documents. At this point your final bursary payment will be made
The Final Student Reference Details
The headings below will be completed by members of your WildVolunteering team for use in any job search opportunity. Please ensure that you receive this at the completion of your project and file it with an example of your report or final piece of work.
1. The project work description and title
2. Level of competence and achievement
3. Additional quotes and character assessments
4. Dates signatures of student and project supervisor
Timetable for Projects In 2014
Staff: Present your project idea before the 30 October 2013 deadline.
Students: Interviews will take place in November and December 2013; look for information from early November.
Projects: The student work experience projects will run from 1 January to 31 December 2014 unless otherwise stated.
Beverley Rhodes, WildVolunteering, 07812 300018,
beverley.rhodes@derby.gov.uk
