Join our team
Everyone can play a part in enhancing our city. Volunteering with Southampton National Park City will provide you with an opportunity to make a difference all whilst receiving opportunities to develop skills and experience in a range of areas. Join us to make a healthier, greener and more connected Southampton.
About Us:
We are a small, hands-on, campaign group working towards a healthier, greener and more connected Southampton. We envision Southampton as a city where people and nature can be supported towards mutual flourishing. As an aspiring National Park City, our vision is for an urban setting where vibrant biodiversities are woven into the fabric of our daily lives, where people, culture and nature can coexist harmoniously.
Established in 2021 by local Southampton residents, we have come a long way. In 2023 Southampton was nominated as a rising National Park City, marking our efforts to date as well as the proximity to obtaining National Park City status. Additionally, we were made a partner in the regional YouCAN partnership, administered by the New Forest National Park Authority and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. This is allowing us to push forward with new initiatives, deliver a revamped strategic plan, and also begin exploring the prospect of becoming a registered charity.
What we can offer you:
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Learn and grow new skills and knowledges across a range of different intersectional areas.
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Contribute supporting and catalysing meaningful community-based projects.
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Discover and connect with Southampton's natural heritage in new ways.
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Connect with likeminded people passionate about making Southampton a healthier, greener and more connected place.
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Learn more about local issues impacting Southampton, and opportunities to respond to them.
- Opportunities to collaborate with a range of partner organisations, such as the New Forest National Park Authority, National Park City Foundation, as well as numerous local grassroots groups.
What to expect:
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We’re dreamers, schemers, movers and shakers. We are organising and championing for the better, healthier, greener and more connected city that we all know is possible.
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We’re probably not your typical volunteering experience. As a small volunteer-led group, whilst we have processes in place to guide and support us, we work in a semi-detached way to collaborate on solving problems and catalysing actions. This means you get a good degree of autonomy in how you work and how you would like to contribute.
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We do not have a physical base. Whilst we meet regularly (either in-person, or on Zoom), we all work remotely, utilising tools such as Google Docs, Slack and WhatsApp to organise, share work and ideas, and to connect and collaborate.
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We’re a dynamic and creative bunch. There’s no “one type” of person at Southampton National Park City. As a hands-on campaign group focusing on the intersections of environment and climate, health and wellbeing, community cohesion and justice, we come together from a range of different experiences, interests and backgrounds. It is fertile soil for creative synthesising of a range of different issues and opportunities.
What will I be doing?
Whether you are a community organiser, a project manager, a social media guru, policy advocate, a creative, some other niche or you are not too sure yet, there’s something for you.
Whilst we welcome individual ideas, talents and inputs, we have developed a current list of opportunities that are ready to go. Even if there's nothing there that takes your fancy, it may prompt some of your own ideas.
Equity & Diversity
Principles of equity and diversity are highly important to us. We welcome expressions of interest from all backgrounds. If you have specific needs or concerns to ensure your comfort and well-being in this volunteering environment, please feel free to reach out to us. We're here to have a conversation and explore how we can best support your involvement.
Get involved:
Step 1: Fill out the expression of interest form.
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Step 2: Join one of us for an informal meeting / call.
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Step 3: You will be invited to complete a volunteer agreement, and provided with a copy of our volunteer handbook. You may also be asked to undertake a DBS check if required for your role.
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Step 4: Attend an induction and be introduced to the rest of the team, this kicks off your volunteering journey with us!