Volunteers wanted to help reduce waste in Shropshire

Volunteers wanted to help reduce waste

Local volunteer group Shropshire Master Composters on are on the look out for volunteers from Shropshire & Telford & Wrekin who want to help work to reduce waste in their area.  Volunteers work closely with the local authorities in their local communities to promote home composting, waste prevention and recycling - http://www.shropshirecomposters.co.uk/

Volunteers are offered high quality training and support and in return they give their time without payment to do a variety of community events, talks, demonstrations, school visits, public outreach programmes and publicity work all aimed at helping us getting people to raise awareness and ultimately to waste less.

As a volunteer you will receive free training in home composting and related environmental issues provided by Garden Organic (formerly HDRA). The initial foundation training course will be held on Saturday 29^th March 2014 at the Shropshire Wildlife Trust in Shrewsbury.   

The course has been arranged by Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council and local waste management firm Veolia Environmental Services.  The training is delivered by composting experts from the national horticultural charity Garden Organic. 

Since its inception in 2006, we have trained over 100 volunteers who have gone on to give more than 10,000 hours of their time promoting home composting to tens of thousands of people around the county.

Who can become a Master Composter?

·         Anyone over the age of 18 can become a Master Composter; you don’t need to be an expert composter already or have any volunteer or community group experience.

·         All trainees get a Master Composter resource pack and will be offered a follow up visit to a local composting site and further visits to Garden Organic Gardens in Coventry as well as local study tours and workshops to develop their expertise following the course.

·         Once the training has been completed, you will be expected to spend at least 30 hours (around 4 days work) over the following year promoting home composting as a volunteer (i.e. not as part of a paid position).

·         As a Master Composter you will receive free training, free resources and travel expenses to help you do your work sponsored by Veolia.

·         Becoming a Master Composter is a great way to meet new people, learn valuable skills, and benefit from being part of a team that makes a difference.

If you are interested in becoming a Master Composter please email james.thompson@shropshire.gov.uk or call us on 01743 255989.