VOLUNTEERING
We're a winner of The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service!
We're thrilled to have been named as a winner of the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, and we couldn't have done it without our volunteers, thank you!
This is the highest national award presented to local volunteer groups across the UK and is the equivalent of the MBE. It's presented to exceptional groups that are volunteer-led and whose levels of initiative and impact make a significant difference to beneficiaries in their communities.
If you would like to volunteer here at Walton Firs then take a look below at how you can get involved.
"Volunteering at Walton Firs taught me valuable skills. It has helped me stay connected with my friends since finishing school. It's helped me develop team working skills and brought me and my friends closer together."
Service Crews
Walton Firs is supported by a large number of volunteers who join us on a 2 monthly rotation in groups that are known as 'Service Crews'. These are made up of groups who range from current and previous Scout and Guide leaders, explorer scouts, cadets or anyone keen to become involved.
Through the crews, you are welcome to stay on site for free, for 2 nights, usually Friday/Saturday, volunteering during the day on Saturday and Sunday and relaxing with great company during the evenings. We provide full training while you are on site and for those who have been with us a while, we also offer additional activity training through different National Governing Bodies. This in turn allows you to run activities with your own youth groups.
We are very lucky to have a range of skills within our Service Crews, as each crew can assist us with site maintenance, running activities, customer service and generally keeping the site clean, safe and tidy.
We are always welcoming new volunteers, so if you would like to get involved at Walton Firs and either have a group of like minded individuals to form your own crew, or would like to join an existing crew, please just let us know.
We hope to hear from you!
Service Crew 2A
Made up of explorer scouts based in Fulham, West London, this crew is led by Jamie and has been helping at Walton Firs for several years.
Service Crew 2B
A new crew led by one of our own staff Ali, they are all part of local Scout Support Units and enjoy spending their time on both maintenance and activities.
Service Crew 3A
This crew are from a longstanding group originating from Richmond-upon-Thames. With one of our oldest members of crew, they are now led by Matt and we are looking for new volunteers to join this crew. We are very grateful for their many years of support.
Service Crew 3B
With a Guiding background. this crew started strong and keep on going. We are very proud that a member of this crew has also offered additional support by becoming a Patron of the Foundation's Charitable Trust.
Service Crew 5
Another of our longstanding crews, they have been supporting us since the 1980s. They have witnessed many changes during their time with us and we remain grateful for their continued service.
Work Experience & Duke of Edinburgh Award
At Walton Firs we like to support our local community as best we can. That often means helping those who are looking for either work experience or Duke of Edinburgh Award residentials and volunteering weeks.
We offer full site training, allowing you to shadow our instructor and maintenance teams. The aims of your time with us and training received will depend on the season in which you attend. May to August is likely to be more activity based, while September to April will be more focused on maintenance and construction.
With prior planning we can also organise for you to complete a specific task or project by yourself, supported by a member of our staff where necessary. Our totem pole, now a focal point on site, was painted in a project undertaken by one of our work experience volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us.
Corporate Team Building
If you are a company looking to support a local charity then volunteering at Walton Firs is a great way to help out.
Whether you have a group of willing volunteers or are looking to do some Team Building with your colleagues, you can undertake some volunteering at Walton Firs. If you and your colleagues are happy to paint, laminate signs, build fences, trim overgrown hedges or just want to be outside and get stuck in to any job then we know just how to get the most out of your time here whilst helping the Walton Firs Team.
General Volunteering
If you would just like to volunteer for a day or two when you are available then please get in touch.
We always have small and large projects to complete and if you would like to offer your time to help us, pop in and see us for a cuppa and an informal chat to discuss possibilities with you. Please call the office to arrange a suitable time.