Want to spend more time outdoors and help to improve the environment? Find out more about environmental volunteering opportunities in Bedford.
Register as a volunteer
Register your interest in any of our volunteering opportunities:
We will add your details to the volunteer database and send you regular updates on upcoming events and task days.
You can become a volunteer at any age (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult).
Park Champions and Friends of Parks Scheme
Our Parks Champions and Friends of Parks scheme is perfect if you want to spend more time outdoors and volunteering in your local park or green space.
Community Champions
Community Champions are proactive in their local area reporting issues and picking up litter to help keep our streets, clean, safe and green. They also attend community clean-up days and environmental events.
You can give as little or as much time as you want, and can cover as many streets as you wish. All equipment will be provided.
Event Champions
Event Champions support events held by the events team by assisting with carrying out visitor satisfaction surveys, taking photographs, staffing information points, handing out programmes and flyers and keeping the event clear of litter.
Community clean ups
We welcome clean-up requests from all members of the community, whether you are a resident, community or faith group, parish clerk/councillor or ward councillor.
On average, we support around 100 community litter picks every year and thousands of bags of litter are removed from our community spaces.
We provide all the equipment needed for a clean-up:
- litter pickers
- gloves
- high visibility jackets
- bags and bag hoops
- health and safety forms and guidance
- registration forms
We also remove all the litter once collected.
Please email volunteering@bedford.gov.uk if you would like to book a community litter pick event.
Help us water a tree
If you spot a newly-planted tree with support stakes you can help by watering the tree during the summer months. In the first year of planting trees need watering once or twice a week, in the second year, every other week and from the third year onwards, only when it is hot and dry. Giving the tree a good drink with 20 litres of water is better than little and often.
Risk assessments
Once you have registered to become a community volunteer, please read our risk assessments to stay safe when volunteering for us.
- Community Champions and Community Clean Ups Risk Assessment (PDF)
- Community Volunteering during Covid19 Risk Assessment (PDF)
Guidance
- Hand arm vibration guide (PDF)
- HSE hand arm vibration at work leaflet (PDF)
- Controlling back pain associated with whole body vibration work information leaflet (PDF)
Contact community volunteering
Events and Community Engagement Officer
Email: volunteering@bedford.gov.uk