My name is Verity and I am the new Volunteer Coordinator for the Blackdown and Quantock Hills AONBs, as of the beginning of January. I will be splitting my time between the two AONBs every week and will be aiming to maintain and work with the established groups already thriving over the two AONBs and also look into new volunteering opportunities and possibilities.

It’s a huge privilege to have the opportunity to work over two beautiful AONBs, which both contain an amazing range of habitats and communities. I live just off the end of Quantocks and have always been a great lover of the outdoors and nature, so it’s wonderful to be working with and engaging people in such stunning locations. I previously worked as a fieldwork tutor, teaching students and adults in Exmoor National Park, so it’s an exciting and slightly different challenge to be working with volunteers on the Quantocks and Blackdowns. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been meeting lots of different volunteers, volunteering groups and partners that we work alongside and am beginning to get my head around who’s who and the multitude of different volunteering opportunities available.

Volunteering opportunities on the Blackdowns AONB are currently focused around wildlife surveying and community engagement with events and groups who visit the Blackdowns. We also work closely with various other partner organisations on the hills to support their volunteering efforts, so there is generally something to out there for everyone, but we are always looking for new possibilities for volunteers to get involved with the hills and communities on them. Time commitments vary with all volunteering opportunities; with some being weekly and others being more ad hoc, so there’s something to fit into most people’s schedule. If you’re interested in volunteering; are looking for volunteers or would like to learn more then contact with me on v.jones@somerset.gov.uk