Get Involved
Volunteers
The Watercress Way has many opportunities to participate as a volunteer. Make a positive impact on the local environment and help to maintain and improve the old droves and reclaimed railway routes. Volunteering with The Watercress way also provides an opportunity to meet new like-minded people and develop social connections, while also enhancing skills such as ecology, teamwork, and public speaking. Additionally, volunteering can boost mental health and well-being by providing a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and satisfaction from contributing to a meaningful cause. Volunteering can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience that benefits both the you and the community.
We are currently looking for volunteers to fill several specific roles. Click through the descriptions below for more information and complete the form if you would like us to get back to you with more information about joining our volunteering team.
-
Location: Various public events (e.g., the Watercress Festival in New Alresford). Time commitment: Flexible depending on the event schedule; typical shifts 1–6 hours. Reporting to: Volunteer Coordinator or responsible Trustee.
Overview
Join a friendly volunteer team helping to raise awareness of the Watercress Way at local public events. This role involves running information stands, engaging with the community, distributing materials, and championing the route to potential new users and supporters.
Key responsibilities
Assist with the setup, operation, and pack-down of the Watercress Way stand at public events.
Actively engage with festival-goers and the general public to promote the charity and its goals.
Help to provide information about the route when asked.
Distribute maps, leaflets, and efficiently handle any community donations or merchandise sales.
Attend briefings, training sessions and occasional team meetings.
Skills and attributes
Team player with good communication skills and a courteous manner to the public.
Enthusiastic, approachable, and comfortable initiating conversations with members of the public.
Reliable, punctual and able to follow instructions and safety briefings.
Training and supervision
On-the-job mentoring by experienced volunteers or staff.
Clear supervision and a nominated contact for reporting issues.
Equipment and safety
First-aid kit available on site; procedures for emergency contact and incident reporting in place.
Work to follow risk assessments and safe systems of work; no volunteer should attempt tasks beyond their training or capabilities.
Benefits
Help maintain and improve a valued community resource for walkers, families, cyclists and people with limited mobility.
Meet like-minded people and be part of a local community network.
Gain experience in public engagement, communication, and local event operations.
Constraints and considerations
Tasks may involve standing for extended periods during busy events.
Volunteers should disclose any medical conditions that may affect safety, and discuss reasonable adjustments with the Volunteer Coordinator or a Trustee.
Commitment to following safeguarding, health & safety and environmental policies.
-
Location: Various along the entire route. Time commitment: Flexible; typical shifts 2–4 hours. Seasonal growth dependent, typically one session a month from late winter to late summer. Reporting to: Volunteer Coordinator or responsible Trustee.
Overview
Join a friendly volunteer team helping to maintain the Watercress Way as a safe, welcoming, and accessible rural walking route. Tasks focus on brush cutting, vegetation clearance, litter removal, path tidying and minor repairs to keep the route navigable for walkers, families, cyclists and people with limited mobility. This role supports biodiversity-friendly management and enhances community enjoyment of the route.
Key responsibilities
Carry out brush cutting and strimming of overgrown vegetation along paths and verges, following safe working practice.
Clear vegetation encroaching on the path corridor to maintain clear width and sightlines.
Remove small obstructions such as fallen branches, brash and lightweight debris; relocate or pile material sensitively for habitat where agreed.
Tidy path edges, grips and drainage features to maintain surface condition and reduce waterlogging.
Assist with minor repairs to gates, stiles and waymarking posts (replacement of fixings, repainting, re-fixing signage) under supervision.
Conduct litter picks and remove small items of fly-tipping; report larger or hazardous waste for specialist removal.
Report hazards (unstable trees, deep potholes, livestock issues, vandalism) to Trustees or Hampshire County Council as required.
Follow agreed environmental and wildlife-sensitive working windows (e.g. avoid key bird-nesting areas and rare plant sites during restricted periods).
Use tools and equipment safely and carry out basic maintenance/cleaning of tools after use.
Work considerately with other path users and landowners; help to provide information about the route when asked.
Attend briefings, training sessions and occasional team meetings.
Skills and attributes
Willingness to work outdoors.
Comfortable using hand tools and, where trained, basic powered tools (strimmers, hedge trimmers, brush cutters).
Physically able to perform moderate manual tasks (bending, lifting, carrying up to ~15–20 kg, walking uneven ground).
Observant and responsible; able to identify and report hazards and environmentally sensitive areas.
Team player with good communication skills and a courteous manner to the public.
Reliable, punctual and able to follow instructions and safety briefings.
Training and supervision
Follow on-site rules, route layout, tool use and safety.
Accredited training for powered tools where appropriate.
On-the-job mentoring by experienced volunteers or staff.
Clear supervision and a nominated contact for reporting issues.
Equipment and safety
Personal protective equipment (PPE) provided: high-visibility vest, gloves, safety goggles/visor, ear protection, steel-toe boots where required.
Volunteer to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear.
Tools used: hand saws, loppers, rakes, brushes, secateurs; powered tools only for trained volunteers.
First-aid kit available on site; procedures for emergency contact and incident reporting in place.
Work to follow risk assessments and safe systems of work; no volunteer should attempt tasks beyond their training or capabilities.
Benefits
Help maintain and improve a valued community resource for walkers, families, cyclists and people with limited mobility.
Gain practical outdoor skills (vegetation management, tool use, route maintenance) and accredited training opportunities.
Regular physical activity and time outdoors, with mental health and wellbeing benefits.
Meet like-minded people and be part of a local community network.
Opportunity to contribute to biodiversity-sensitive management and gain knowledge of local wildlife and habitats.
Constraints and considerations
Work is outdoors and may be physically demanding; not suitable for volunteers unable to work on uneven terrain or in variable weather.
Seasonal constraints: some tasks restricted during bird nesting or sensitive plant periods; schedule may change accordingly.
Tasks may involve proximity to roads, moving agricultural machinery, livestock and public users—heightened awareness and good communication are essential.
Use of powered equipment limited to trained volunteers; insurance and medical declarations may be required.
Volunteers should disclose any medical conditions that may affect safety, and discuss reasonable adjustments with the Volunteer Coordinator or a Trustee.
Volunteer activity must respect private land boundaries and landowner agreements; some sections of the route may be inaccessible at times.
Commitment to following safeguarding, health & safety and environmental policies.
-
Location: Various along the entire route. Time commitment: Flexible, based on the events calendar; typically 2–4 hours per scheduled walk. Reporting to: Volunteer Coordinator or responsible Trustee.
Overview
Join a friendly volunteer team helping to promote and safely guide the public along the Watercress Way. This role focuses on leading public guided walks or providing vital backup support to ensure walking groups remain together, safeguarded, and engaged with the route's history and biodiversity.
Key responsibilities
Lead or provide rear-support for public guided walks, managing pacing and keeping the group together safely.
Ensure the safeguarding and general welfare of all walk participants.
Work considerately with other path users and landowners; help to provide information about the route when asked.
Report hazards (unstable trees, deep potholes, livestock issues, vandalism) to Trustees or Hampshire County Council as required.
Attend briefings, training sessions and occasional team meetings.
Skills and attributes
Willingness to work outdoors.
Physically able to walk the required distances, including walking uneven ground.
Team player with good communication skills and a courteous manner to the public.
Reliable, punctual and able to follow instructions and safety briefings.
Training and supervision
Follow on-site rules, route layout, and safety.
On-the-job mentoring by experienced volunteers or staff.
Clear supervision and a nominated contact for reporting issues.
Equipment and safety
Volunteer to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear.
First-aid kit available on site; procedures for emergency contact and incident reporting in place.
Work to follow risk assessments and safe systems of work; no volunteer should attempt tasks beyond their training or capabilities.
Benefits
Help maintain and improve a valued community resource for walkers, families, cyclists and people with limited mobility.
Regular physical activity and time outdoors, with mental health and wellbeing benefits.
Meet like-minded people and be part of a local community network.
Constraints and considerations
Work is outdoors and may be physically demanding; not suitable for volunteers unable to work on uneven terrain or in variable weather.
Volunteers should disclose any medical conditions that may affect safety, and discuss reasonable adjustments with the Volunteer Coordinator or a Trustee.
Commitment to following safeguarding, health & safety and environmental policies.
Trustees
Since the charity was founded, the trustees have negotiated with land owners, local authorities and the South Downs National Park to establish the circular, marathon length walking trail, using disused railway lines and historic rights of way north east of Winchester. Cyclists and horse riders can use much of the route, with alternative sections and loops.
Trustees cover a wide range of skills and knowledge - but each Trustee can't be expert in everything and we have some innate skills! In addition to trustee roles, we are always on the look out for new volunteers to help with managing and maintaining the route.
In particular, if you have expertise in the history of old railway lines, industrial archaeology, land law, or media / PR / marketing and want to get involved, please let us know with the form below.
Trustee expression of interest
If you are interested in becoming a trustee of the charity, please complete the form below and we will be in touch to discuss further.
Due to new legislation we are asking all contacts to read the privacy policy. By submitting this form you agree to these terms. We will only use this information for contact relating to the intended purposes.