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Volunteering - Newmarket Chalk Streams

This page walks you through what volunteer opportunities are available with Newmarket Chalk Streams. You can change your volunteer interest later on if you want, just let the team know! You may find that you want to explore different areas or change the amount of time you can commit. If you have any questions about roles please email us at newmarketcst@gmail.com

 

Please read the opportunities available below and use this link to join us! 

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https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1FGrQLXuMnllWfvNuu6Ejsihzk82Io5xJypTU75ZqynKYIg/viewform?usp=dialog

 

Water monitoring 

Commitment time: once a week

Commitment level: high

Activity: visit one of our designated locations on the stream once a week to fill out a short questionnaire of around five questions and take a photo for the Fixed Point Photograph data. 

Knowledge needed: none at all. Initial training can be given. 

 

Flyer distributor

Commitment time: four times a year

Commitment level: low

Activity: posting chalk stream flyers to houses in a given area. These will always be in Newmarket and likely near the stream. They will advertise our most recent events.

Knowledge needed: none at all. Instructions will be given.

 

Driver

Commitment time: twice a month

Commitment level: moderate

Activity: help us get tasks completed and get water samples analysed quicker by picking up and dropping off equipment. You may be helping us drop off litter picking equipment for an event or picking up water sample bottles and dropping them to someone else for analysis. The driving will never go further than the villages surrounding Newmarket.

Knowledge needed: None. Must have full driving licence. 

 

Social media manager

Commitment time: two to three times a week

Commitment level: high

Activity: you will be sent posters, pictures and articles which we want shared on our Facebook and Instagram pages. You will be expected to write captions and schedule posts. 

Knowledge needed: Intermediate. Must use and be familiar with social media. Some basic training on scheduling can be given. 

 

Website manager

Commitment time: once a week

Commitment level: high

Activity: you will update our website with news on past and upcoming events. You will be sent pictures and posters to use. You will just need to write captions for them. Our website will likely be made on Wix. 

Knowledge needed: Intermediate. Must be comfortable using computers and have basic problem solving skills. You don't have to have used Wix websites before.

 

Admin assistant

Commitment time: once a fortnight

Commitment level: moderate 

Activity: help us create event forms and risk assessments to increase the number of events we can run. You may also be asked to help research equipment needed for events.

Knowledge needed: Intermediate. Previous experience of filling out general forms and making basic spreadsheets is essential. It would be ideal if you have some experience of risk assessments.

 

Digital illustrator

Commitment time: once or twice a month

Commitment level: low

Activity: draw simple animals and plants using Procreate, or a similar programme, that we can add to our posters and flyers.

Knowledge needed: Intermediate. Must be comfortable using drawing software on an ipad or computer. 

 

Litter picker lead

Commitment time: once a month

Commitment level: low

Activity: make our monthly litter picks a part of your routine. Ensure that we always have helping hands on our litter picks so that we never miss an opportunity to fill up those black bags. You will help the team by noting down a What3Words of every black bag pile and emailing the dedicated person to arrange collection.

Knowledge needed: none at all. All instructions will be given.

 

Data Handler

Commitment: once a week

Commitment level: moderate

Activity: inputting plant/water/animal data into simple spreadsheets. You will be sent photos of data that has been collected and type it up into a spreadsheet (which you will be given). This helps us keep on top of our data entry, making sure it is all easily accessible.

Knowledge needed: intermediate. Must be able to use Excel on a computer and feel comfortable looking at small data sets.

 

Plant surveys

Commitment time: 3 times a year.

Commitment level: low

Activity: walking between one and three sections of the stream and writing a list of all of the plants (including trees) which are within 3 metres of the stream bank. 

Knowledge needed: Beginner to expert. We encourage working in pairs to share knowledge and stay safe when working on/near the banks. Beginners can join more experienced surveyors to get started.

 

Bird surveys

Commitment time: once a month

Commitment level: moderate

Activity: walking the stream from Exeter Road to Brickfields Avenue counting the number of birds calling, noting down their species and which stream section they are in. Identification will be done through calls and observations. 

Knowledge needed: Beginner to expert. A keen interest in birds and knowledge of back garden species would be ideal. Training can be given and volunteers may be paired to enable knowledge sharing. 

 

Insect surveys

Commitment time: twice a year

Commitment level: low

Activity: record insects throughout all three sections of the stream.

Knowledge needed: Beginner to expert. We haven't done many insect surveys yet so will tailor the survey level to the individual. The training available for this role will depend on team members available.