Cumbria Master Composters

Master Composters

Master Composters are volunteers who encourage people in their local community to start composting at home and offer support to people who are already home composting and may be having difficulties or need encouragement.

Anyone can be a Master Composter. You do not have to be an expert in composting as Master Composters are trained in 'how to compost' before they start their activities. There are Master Composters from a wide variety of age, background and culture. This contributes to the effectiveness of the scheme – Master Composters can reach parts of a community that other compost promoting activities cannot. Master Composter activities include talking to friends, family and neighbours, attending village fairs or giving talks to local groups.

How much commitment do I have to make?

Most Master Composters spend around 30 hours annually in their compost promotional activities. These 30 hours include all travel and preparation time. This figure however is not compulsory.

What help will I receive?

The first step to becoming a Master Composter is to attend a training course. The purpose of this training is to ensure that all volunteers have the same basic level of knowledge. Your place on the Master Composter scheme will be fully funded and you will not have to pay for the training course or any resources. You can claim expenses incurred whilst carrying out volunteering within the project area. You will be supported in your role by a Volunteer Coordinator.

Main purpose of the role

The aims of a Master Composter volunteer are to:

• Raise awareness of the benefits of composting

• Encourage more people to compost at home

• Support those already composting to ensure they are successful in their home

  composting activities

  Person Profile

  This role will suit people who:

• Have an interest in composting and sustainable waste management

• Have good communication and listening skills

• Enjoy talking about and promoting home composting

• Would be happy to participate both individually and as part of a team

• Are able to share knowledge and/or present information to others

• Have a positive, organised and flexible approach to volunteering

• Are looking to extend their knowledge in sustainable waste management and horticulture

• Are able to attend Master Composter training events

communities

Main activities

The Master Composter volunteer role is designed to be flexible and suit the strengths and opportunities volunteers have. We ask volunteers to promote home composting in their local communities, how this is undertaken is at the discretion of the volunteer. Some of the commonly undertaken volunteer activities are listed below:

Events

• Stands at small, local, or larger regional or national events

• Allotment or parish fayres

  Talks

  Demonstrations

• Schools

• Neighbourhood events e.g. village fetes, fund raising events and community days

• Local garden centres

• To your next-door neighbours

• Set up a home compost demonstration site

  Written articles / Social media

  • Promotion in the local press - the benefits of homemade compost

  • Articles in the local paper or Parish/Community/Church/Allotment Magazines

    Other promotion ideas

  • Help promote future sales of compost bins

  • Help at council run roadshows

  • Help design leaflets

  • Contribute to websites

  • Set up or help run a community composting site