What is the National Trails Volunteer Scheme?
Volunteers perform a vital role in helping to maintain both The Ridgeway and Thames Path National Trails. They carry out an ongoing programme of maintenance and improvements which include tasks such as vegetation clearance, installing and repairing signs, gates and information boards, fencing, building steps, riverbank repairs and conservation of wild flower habitats. Tasks are carried out on most weekdays, led by a Volunteer Coordinator from the National Trails team. There are also two weekend tasks per month. All tools and training are provided and the tasks are a good way to meet like-minded people. Our quarterly newsletter has a list of all forthcoming tasks on both Trails and is sent to all volunteers who register onto the scheme. Alternatively, some volunteers prefer to take on small tasks which are carried out independently such as cleaning signs and clearing encroaching vegetation from the signs in the summer. Volunteers can also become ‘monitors’ by adopting a 2-3 mile section
