Norfolk Master Composters

Norfolk Master Composters

The Norfolk Master Composter Programme is funded by and delivered in partnership with Norfolk County Council.  As such you will be volunteering for both organisations and supported by a Garden Organic member of staff who sits in Norfolk County Council’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Team.

Master Composters: Person profile

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 which contributes to the effectiveness of the scheme as Master Composters can reach parts of a community that other compost promoting activities cannot. Examples of Master Composter activities include talking to friends, family and neighbours, attending local events with a display or giving talks to local interest groups.

How much commitment do I have to make? 

We ask Master Composters to spend around 30 hours annually in their compost promotional activities, which includes all travel and preparation time. This figure however is not compulsory and we have volunteers who do more or less in a year.

What help will I receive?

The first step to becoming a Master Composter is to submit an application form (link top right of page) and, once accepted, complete our online induction training courses. The purpose of this training is to ensure that all volunteers have the same basic level of knowledge and after completing the induction you will have access to a programme of further in-service training. Your place on the Master Composter scheme will be fully funded and you will not have to pay for training courses or any resources. You can claim expenses incurred whilst carrying out volunteering within the project area and 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

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

• Schools - those with gardens and those that don't, which may need encouragement
• Youth groups - especially those involved with voluntary work in the gardening world
• Young Farmers groups
• Horticultural societies, allotment groups, and gardening clubs

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

Find out more

To find out more about the role please contact your local Master Composter Volunteer Coordinator David Hawkyard, via dhawkyard@gardenorganic.org.uk