Over 450 prospective volunteers attended the biggest New Forest National Park Volunteer Fair yet
PUBLISHED ON: 14 FEBRUARY 2025Last month’s Fair (26 January) had over 50 stalls of organisations from across the New Forest and surrounding areas and marked the start of the 20th anniversary of the National Park.
The aim of the New Forest National Park Volunteer Fair is to encourage and enable people from all walks of life to make a real difference to the environment and community around them, while also benefitting their own health and wellbeing.
Since the Fair began in 2011 over 5,000 people have passed through its doors, helping to create a ‘Team New Forest’ to care for the National Park.
This year’s Fair focused on encouraging more young people to get into volunteering and becoming community advocates, which is why it was opened with speeches from New Forest Youth Board members Fran and Toby, as well as New Forest National Park Authority CEO, Alison Barnes, and New Forest East MP Sir Julian Lewis.
Organisations that attended included the Countryside Education Trust, Flourish in Nature, Freshwater Habitats Trust, PEDALL New Forest Inclusive Cycling, Guide Dogs, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, Litter Pickers of the New Forest, the RNLI and RSPB.
Many gave short talks in the café, including members of the Youth Board and a playful rubbish-themed take on ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ performed by Litter Pickers of the New Forest.
In total there were 54 organisations present, 19 talks and 453 attendees.
New Forest National Park Authority Access and Learning Manager Jim Mitchell said: ‘It was really encouraging to see so many people wanting to get involved and help out in community life in and around the National Park. It’s the dedication of volunteers that supports so many groups to do their incredible work. We know volunteers’ health and wellbeing really benefits too from the activities, from the new skills they learn and new friends they make.’
New Forest Youth Board member Fran Nicholas said: ‘I think our generation has known about climate change and biodiversity loss from a young age, so I think volunteering is a good way to combat that eco-anxiety and to turn it into positive action.
‘I hope we can continue to protect the New Forest and all the rare species that are associated with the special habitats we have like the heathland, the ancient woodland, and the wetland areas. And hopefully create more joined up areas for wildlife in the areas surrounding the New Forest.’
Step by Step Charity Champion Kitty Judd said: ‘We had some great conversations and made some exciting new contacts. It was a fantastic event, and despite the weather, there were lots of people.’
You can find volunteering opportunities for all abilities and interests with the National Park Authority and a host of other organisations here.
For volunteering roles specifically aimed at young people see our Junior Rangers programme (ages 11-17) and our youth volunteering opportunities (ages 18-30). These are funded through our Youth for Climate and Nature (YouCAN) scheme, supported by the National Lottery Communities Fund.
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