Environmental Green Team Leader

Join our friendly team of Environment Volunteers and help lead small groups working to care for the green spaces of the Ouseburn Valley. Activities include woodland management, path and step clearance, tending planted beds, litter-picking, and supporting a range of partner-led conservation and community projects across the valley.

For such an urban area so close to the city centre, the Ouseburn Valley offers an extraordinary variety of green spaces — riverbanks, woodlands, meadows, ponds, wild scrub and planted beds — all woven into a landscape rich in heritage. Our aim is to help these spaces thrive for both people and wildlife.

We are currently especially looking for Lead Volunteers to support weekday corporate volunteering groups, which are in high demand. We are often fully booked several months in advance (currently into September), so additional Lead Volunteers are needed as soon as possible to help us expand capacity.

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do — from regular weekly participants to workplace teams visiting from across the country. Could you help lead these groups and make their experience memorable?

The role involves:

• Welcoming groups of 5–20 people, working alongside other Lead Volunteers (typically one lead per 5–6 participants)
• Sharing information about the Ouseburn (we provide a guide script), introducing the planned activities, and delivering a simple health and safety briefing
• Supporting and guiding volunteers throughout practical outdoor tasks
• Ensuring awareness of the wider public environment while groups are working
• Helping create a safe, enjoyable, and well-organised outdoor experience for all participants

You may also be involved in:

• Supporting the planning of future tasks and activities with the Lead Volunteer team
• Helping maintain tools and equipment
• Supporting partner organisations and community groups working across the valley, including Wild Ouseburn, Wild Roots Community Garden, Tyne Housing, and local residents such as the Malings and Steenberg’s community

Time required:

• There is no strict ongoing commitment, but we ask for a minimum of around one session per month where possible.
• Corporate volunteering sessions take place on weekdays (typically 10am–3pm), and you can sign up via a rota system.
• There may also be opportunities to support Saturday morning volunteer sessions (10am–12pm).

Skills

• Experience working with people and supporting or guiding groups
• Good communication skills and confidence in giving clear instructions
• An interest in gardening, wildlife, conservation, or outdoor activity
• The ability to share knowledge and encourage others
• Awareness of health and safety in practical settings
• Good problem-solving skills and a calm approach to challenges
• Enjoyment of working outdoors in all seasons
• Enthusiasm for working as part of a supportive team
• This role does not require you to do every task yourself — Lead Volunteers are often coordinating and supporting groups, rather than carrying out all the physical work. Tasks are shared, and there is always a team around you, including experienced volunteers.