If you want to do something good for your community, want a positive experience or simply have a few hours to spare, why not get involved in helping around the park? Volunteering is a great way of furthering your skills, making friends, getting involved in the community, getting fit or just getting out and about.

David Jones, Assistant Warden on Parc Taf Bargoed, first got involved on the Park as a volunteer.

"Volunteering is an excellent way to get out and about and improve your skills. Also, as a local lad, it is great to do something good for the community" said David. "All you need is enthusiasm and the ability to get stuck in".

Opportunities are available for both community/college groups and individuals, see below.

Group Volunteering

We are looking for enthusiastic volunteer groups to take part in a range of exciting park projects, including wildlife surveys, habitat management and park development. Whether you are a college group, community group or working towards a Duke of Edinburgh Award, we can book you in for a regular session.

No prior experience is required, all needs catered for and all tools will be provided by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Waterproofs, gloves and appropriate safety wear will be provided, but you must bring your own sturdy footwear.

Case Study: Ystrad Mynach College

Practical Work Skills students from Ystrad Mynach College have been volunteering on the park fortnightly since October 2010. This group of teenagers are working towards their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. The group have been fantastic in helping to create our Forest School Education Area in Barri Woods. They have undertaken tasks including clearance of the site, natural fence weaving and natural screen building.

Angus Clancy, Course Tutor, said, "Coming to the park is a great experience for the group. Every single one of them enjoys it. The group learn many valuable skills such as team work, the demands of a work place, practical skills and independence. They also gain a great sense of self worth and the rewards of contributing to a shared task. The Wardens are very well organised and are really good with the group. I would recommend volunteering at Parc Taf Bargoed to anyone

Individual Volunteering

New for 2011, we have set up the Park Taf Bargoed Volunteer Group. This group is made up of members of the local community who drop in to the park once a week to help the Wardens on management tasks. Although small, we hope that over time, more people will join and that this will encourage a feeling of ownership of the park amongst the local community-after all the park is there for you!

We try to ensure that tasks carried out by our volunteers are interesting and varied. They can include habitat management, wildlife survey or helping-out with education groups. We aim to make each session fun and relaxed and you can work at your own pace-after all, you are there to enjoy yourself! So far the group has taken part in planting -up our extended ditch system and have helped to create our Forest School area by weaving a natural fence. Over the coming months Parc Taf Volunteers will be involved in habitat management, wildlife surveys and hands on work.

No prior experience is necessary and MTCBC will provide waterproof outerwear and protective equipment. All we ask is that you provide your own sturdy footwear.

Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, improve your C.V., help wildlife, get fit, increase confidence and make new friends. Most importantly, it is great fun!

Coral Putman, a regular volunteer on the park said, "I live very local to the park and often walk in it with the dog, so I was delighted to be given the opportunity to volunteer. I am interested in nature and conservation so to be involved in projects to help wildlife is very exciting. I have already learned a range of new skills and have had enjoyed every minute of it."

If you are interested in joining the Parc Taf Bargoed Volunteers, pleasecontact the Wardens.