Volunteering in the South Downs National Park

A survey of South Downs National Park volunteers revealed that eight per cent of respondents were from Black and Minority Ethnic communities, a figure undoubtedly enhanced through the very active Mosaic project working within the South Downs National Park. Only two per cent of volunteers classed themselves as having a disability and nine per cent were unemployed at the time of the survey. This South Downs-wide survey also revealed a fairly even split between gender, with females making up 45 per cent of all volunteers. The age profile was, however, more skewed towards the older age brackets with 40 per cent of volunteers aged 61 or above.

Current data indicates a high level of volunteering in Sussex, particularly East Sussex with 47 per cent of the Volunteer Ranger Service (VRS) from this county and a lesser representation in Hampshire with only 16 per cent. More men than women currently volunteer with the VRS, accounting for 72 per cent of the total. This figure illustrates a significant difference in the male/female balance of volunteers. Currently only 28 per cent of volunteers are female, down from 35 per cent in 2009, potentially as a result of the loss of the Seven Sisters Country Park Visitor Centre volunteers (and to an extent the Elm Wardens). The age profile of volunteers ranges from six per cent under 30’s to 22 per cent over 70’s with the modal age bracket being 60-69 year olds, in line with the National Park-wide volunteering profile.

Graphs of Volunteer Ranger Service composition by age and location:

In 2009/2010 456 (60 per cent) of volunteering tasks were led by the South Downs Joint Committee with the remaining 40 per cent led by a range of partner organisations including the National Trust, Natural England, South-East Water, Forestry Commission, Stanmer Orchard Group, Murray Downland Trust and others.  From Longwood Warren near Winchester, to Belle Tout on the chalk cliffs near Eastbourne, Volunteer Rangers have worked on projects which help to keep the South Downs National Park a special place.