Welcome to the Changing Chalk Partnership Volunteering Hub.
Once you have applied you will be able to see the volunteering opportunities for 18 different exciting projects across our project area stretching from Shoreham to Eastbourne!
Did you know?
80% of our rare chalk grassland has been lost
12% of our archaeological sites are under threat
55% of our schools have pupils living in socio-economic deprivation
Join our work:
800ha of land newly managed to benefit nature
150 Scheduled Ancient Monuments need to be condition assessed
2,250 children will be engaged in Farm School trips
Join us today!
Changing Chalk is a partnership connecting nature, people and heritage on and around the South Downs. Led by the National Trust and supported by a £2.23m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant and funding from People's Postcode Lottery, it will restore lost landscapes and habitats, bring history and local cultures to life and provide new experiences in the outdoors.
As a volunteer you will be championing our work and helping to restore habitats and safeguard nature for future generations to enjoy.
Across the project there are over 2000 volunteering opportunities contributing to 18 fantastic projects which include tasks such as restoring dew ponds, assisting livestock management, surveying wildlife, wildflower propagation, habitat surveying, land management, mentoring a monument, being a dog ambassador, archaeology, admin and outreach volunteer...and so much more!
The Changing Chalk partnership is focused on a 458 sq km area, at the eastern end of the South Downs. Much of this falls within the South Downs National Park, designated for the nation in 2009 and home to iconic wildlife, rare butterflies and important archaeological sites.
Beyond the park boundaries, and neighbouring the Downs is one of the most densely populated coastal regions of Northern Europe. Three quarters of a million people live here in multi-cultural towns like bustling Brighton & Hove, charming Lewes and historic Eastbourne.
Changing Chalk will bring these rural and urban landscapes together. We aim to protect and restore the Downs for people to enjoy, for health and wellbeing, and for nature’s recovery.
The projects can be summarised under three themes:
About the Changing Chalk partnership
The partnership consists of 10 core partners:
• Brighton & Hove City Council
• Brighton & Hove Food Partnership
• Buglife
• Lewes and Eastbourne Councils
• National Trust (lead partner)
• Natural England
• Railway Land Wildlife Trust
• South Downs National Park Authority
• Sussex Wildlife Trust
• The Living Coast Biosphere
In addition, the following delivery partners will provide specialist activity on specific projects:
• Historic England
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
• Writing Our Legacy
We are also in conversation with a broad range of supporting organisations, community and stakeholder groups, which form the wider Changing Chalk community.
For more information, please contact: changingchalk@nationaltrust.org.uk
NB* The Changing Chalk Volunteer Hub is hosted by Better Impact/ Myimpact and is a sub account hosted by The South Downs National Park.
Our Delivery Partners are:
Changing Chalk is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and players of People's Postcode Lottery and the Linbury Trust.
