Volunteering
Beech plantation, Buxton Wood (part of Fineshade Woods)
Volunteering in Rockingham Forest
Here is a list of current volunteering opportunities in the Rockingham Forest area.
Please click on the appropriate link for more details and to contact the relevant group or organisation.
Help us with the Vision
Rockingham Forest Vision is evolving all the time and you may have skills that could help us. Since the successful completion of the funded Building the Links for Rockingham Forest project in December 2024 we have been looking for help to maintain those many links that were created.
​Our core team is tiny and consists entirely of volunteers, so you could play a very significant part. We know we need help with publicity, in particular through social media and the local press. But perhaps you have your own ideas of how you could move the vision forward? Admin? Writing? Events? Walks? We're open to offer and would love to hear from you!
Please email the team to set up a chat.
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Timed counts of Chequered Skippers
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During the summer, Butterfly Conservation need help to count the Chequered Skipper butterflies that have been successfully translocated to Fineshade Wood. Jamie Wildman (Conservation Manager, Central England) coordinates volunteers during May and June. If you would like to help with the survey effort, please register here. If you need help with registering, please email volunteering@butterfly-conservation.org"​
Surveying for adders and other reptiles
Northants Amphibian and Reptile Group monitor reptiles in Rockingham Forest.
Surveys start in early spring and continue throughout the summer. Read more about their work in the area and how you could get involved on this page of the website.
New means of monitoring Dormice needs volunteers
Elusive and rare, Dormice are still present in
some woodlands and the Wildlife Trust is setting up a scheme to lend out surveying kits for you to use in woodland locations across Rockingham Forest from April to October. Training and support available.
Download this file for details and read about Dormice in Rockingham Forest here.
Recording wild apple trees
In a joint project with People's Trust for Endangered Species,
the Orchard Network are aiming to identify the true identity of the native crab apple, Malus sylvestris. Part of the project involves recording apple trees growing in the wild and volunteers are needed to help with this. For more details including the 2025 newsletter follow the link above or please contact Paul Read by email.
Counting Wood Ant nests
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Each spring the the Wood Ants in Bedford Purlieus become incredibly busy, rebuilding loads of large nests You can read more about these amazing creatures in Barrie Galpin's blog. And if you'd like to lend a hand trying to work out how many nests there are, which parts of the wood are most favoured, and which not, please contact Barrie by email. No previous experience necessary, just enthusiasm and an enquiring mind!
Monitoring a river or stream
East Mercia Rivers Trust have volunteers
working with them across the River Welland catchment area - a great way to spend time outside and learn more about the natural environment. Learn how to monitor turbidity, phosphate and nitrate concentrations and different aquatic invertebrates. Anyone can do it because training, support and equipment are provided! More details on their website here.
Working in a Country Park or one of Corby's Woodlands
Come and join one of the Friends groups that work regularly in Corby's green spaces or the Country parks across North Northants. You could be be involved with work on the woodlands, including coppicing, planting, litter picking, helping with events and more.
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Wildplaces volunteering workparties
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For details of what, when and where things are happening, join the facebook page or contact kcwildplaces@gmail.com to go on the mailing list.
Working in Kings Cliffe, practical tasks on footpaths and habitats usually take place on the second Sunday morning of each month and at other times as required. More about Wildplaces here.
Helping Forestry England at Fineshade
Conservation volunteers meet every two weeks during the winter to carry out a range of woodland tasks, and some also work in the garden and orchard during the summer months. You could also help out on the Welcome desk if you love meeting and greeting people.
More details and contacts on this web page.
Workparties on Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves
Volunteering work on our nature reserves is a great way to give hands-on help for wildlife.
Our weekly Wednesday and Thursday groups meet at reserves around Northants and are currently in Short Wood, Southwick Wood, Kings Wood and Glapthorn Cow Pastures. We also have a weekly Friday volunteer group at Old Sulehay Nature Reserve. Contact details here.
Practical work on a National Nature Reserve
Natural England are hoping to establish a group of volunteers who will work on conservation projects in the National Nature Reserves including Collyweston Great Wood and Easton Hornstocks. If you are interested please email Tim Starsmore-Sutton for further details
Volunteer in Foxy's Woodland Shop
The not-for-profit shop at East Carlton Countryside Park stocks all sorts of woodland products and raises money for the Corby Woodland Project. Our lovely volunteers ensure the shop is open every day and we always welcome new members to our friendly team. Full training is provided and there are many benefits.
Details on the website here.
Volunteering in the wider area
Check out the Volunteer Hub on the Nene Rivers Trust website for organisations that need volunteer help along the Nene Valley.
And for volunteering across the whole of Northamptonshire it's well worth checking out this web page too
Why volunteer?
Read Annabelle Holland's blog article on the satisfaction she derives from volunteering in Rockingham Forest.
Please contact RFV if you would like us to advertise your volunteering event or group here.