Lower Mole Project - volunteer information
25 years of Countryside Management in Action
The Lower Mole Countryside Management Project volunteers carry out practical work in the countryside to enhance and maintain the natural beauty of our area. We rely on you to help us achieve these aims. If you have time on your hands, and are aged over 16, why not give us a try?
Volunteers information – 01372 743783
For all tasks our happy band of volunteers meet at 10am on site. However, we do provide a pick up from our office at Horton Country Park at 9.15am and from Epsom Station at 9.30am on every task day. Due to ongoing works at Epsom Station, the pick up point has changed - turn left out of the station and walk under the bridge to the corner of Hazon Way, where the bus will meet you. (However if you require a lift you
must let us know beforehand, because we won't drive to Epsom if no one has rung).
Please bring warm clothes and waterproofs, and it is advisable to wear wellingtons or strong boots or shoes. Full training and supervision, first aid and insurance cover are provided. We also provide coffee, tea, squash and biscuits, but remember to bring a packed lunch. Please let us know beforehand whether you will be attending a task, so that we can let you know of any changes. The answerphone gives details of any changes.
Training Opportunities
The Project is always looking to offer new opportunities to our volunteers. Many of our volunteers have received training in various skills over the years. The more skills that our volunteers possess, the more that we can achieve on site. If you would like training in skills such as minibus driving, brushcutter use or in the operation of plant machinery such as dumper trucks and mini excavators, please let us know. If we have enough interest we can organise our own training courses, otherwise we try to combine a course with volunteers from other countryside projects. These courses are free to volunteers who regularly attend our tasks.
Health Tips
There are three diseases to be aware of if you are involved in practical conservation work - Tetanus, Weil's and Lyme's Disease. However, don't panic, these are rarely encountered. The first two are easy to avoid with basic hygiene: wash your hands before eating and wash out any cut you get on site with plenty of water - we always have clean water available for this.
Tetanus is very painful and (if not diagnosed early) sometimes fatal. However, it is entirely preventable by making sure your immunisation is up to date. If in doubt, consult your doctor.
Weil's Disease is carried by rats and is associated with stagnant or still water. This can be avoided by covering any old or new cut or abrasion with a waterproof plaster before starting work on a pond, river or ditch. Consult your doctor if you get any flu like symptoms after working on one of these, and advise the doctor that you suspect Weil's disease, as many urban doctors may not have seen the disease before.
Lyme's Disease is carried by ticks, which are often found in long vegetation, especially bracken. Consult your doctor if a reddish spot, which increases in size, at the site of the bite is experienced, accompanied by flu like symptoms. Keeping exposed skin to a minimum and regular checking for ticks can help avoid getting bitten. If in doubt about any of these consult your doctor.
In addition, if you suffer from any illness, such as diabetes or epilepsy, then please let the staff know. Personal accident cover is provided up to the age of 80 (with reduced benefits from 75). Please let us know if this applies to you. All this information will be kept in strictest confidence.
Volunteer Task Programme
See our
volunteer task programme for details about how you might get involved.
Files available to download
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Health and safety guide for volunteers with the Lower Mole Project
