Volunteering With Us
NORTH WEST KENT COUNTRYSIDE PARTNERSHIP
NWKCP simply could not continue without the support of our amazing, multi-award-winning volunteer team, some of whom have been volunteering with us for over twenty years! The team has a great feeling of camaraderie and nothing beats the feeling of working outdoors and having fun.
Our volunteering teams, typically go out on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:00 and 16:00 across a range of different sites in Bexley, Dartford, Gravesend and Sevenoaks. They work on a huge variety of projects which include path clearance, coppicing, creating nature areas in schools, hedge laying, pond creation, restoring river banks using traditional techniques and many more.
If you are keen to keep fit, connect with nature, make new friends and improve spaces for both wildlife and people then why not join us and become one of our invaluable volunteers?
For more information on volunteering with us please click on the following link: Volunteer Handbook
To sign up as one of our volunteers or to find out more please contact: Stephanie.Johnson@kent.gov.uk
If you are under 18 and interested in volunteering or thinking of work experience please follow the link to find out more:
Work Experience and Under 18s Volunteering
We can also offer practical, outdoor volunteering activities for employee teams. Follow the link to find out more:
Employee volunteering
Please find below a copy of this month’s volunteering tasks:
Volunteer Project Programme
July 2026
Wednesday 1st – Twenty Acre Shaw Wood, Luxted Road, Cudham, TN14 7QA
We will be removing the invasive Small Balsam plant which is growing on site.
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am if needing a lift from Trosley Country Park or 9:40am at Shoreham Woods if you would like to be picked up from here. Parking here is free and the address is Shacklands Road Car Park, Shacklands Road, Sevenoaks TN14 7BD. The meeting point for arriving on site at 10am is on Luxted Road but it is only large enough for the landrover and trailer to park here.
Luxted Road entrance What3words: ///simply.solo.flops
Thursday 2nd – Hollows Wood, Chelsfield Lane, Sevenoaks, BR6 7QT
We will be managing the invasive Himalayan Balsam growing on site by pulling up the plants along with cutting down buddleias and removing horsetail plants.
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting directly on site. There is limited parking on site in a small loading bay area. The parking/meeting site is where Chelsfield Lane is intersected by a small path (see google maps).
Once we have all met at the parking spot, we will then all need to travel in the landrover to a different access gate to park closer to the working area.
What3words: Parking: ///humid.ending.limbs
Access Gate/Working Area: ///units.listed.push
Wednesday 8th – Hollows Wood, Chelsfield Lane, Sevenoaks, BR6 7QT
We will be managing the invasive Himalayan Balsam growing on site by pulling up the plants along with cutting down buddleias and removing horsetail plants.
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting directly on site. There is limited parking on site in a small loading bay area. The parking/meeting site is where Chelsfield Lane is intersected by a small path (see google maps).
Once we have all met at the parking spot, we will then all need to travel in the landrover to a different access gate to park closer to the working area.
What3words: Parking: ///humid.ending.limbs
Access Gate/Working Area: ///units.listed.push
Thursday 9th – Hollows Wood, Chelsfield Lane, Sevenoaks, BR6 7QT
We will be managing the invasive Himalayan Balsam growing on site by pulling up the plants along with cutting down buddleias and removing horsetail plants.
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting directly on site. There is limited parking on site in a small loading bay area. The parking/meeting site is where Chelsfield Lane is intersected by a small path (see google maps).
Once we have all met at the parking spot, we will then all need to travel in the landrover to a different access gate to park closer to the working area.
What3words: Parking: ///humid.ending.limbs
Access Gate/Working Area: ///units.listed.push
Friday 10th – National Hedgehog Monitoring Project
We will be deploying 30 camera traps at specific locations over a 1km2 area.
Volunteers with previous experience would be very much appreciated, but full guidance will be given on the day.
Led by: Kath Boyd (Kath.Boyd2@kent.gov.uk)
Meeting Time and Place: 9:30am at Holborough Lakes Village Hall.
Tuesday 14th – Dartford Heath
We will be bracken pulling on Dartford Heath, this will help reduce bracken dominance and support the restoration of diverse heathland vegetation. We will be working in the compartment opposite the car park on Heath Lane (Google Map for Dartford Heath).
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting at Dartford Heath car park, Heath Lane (Upper), Dartford DA1 2TN Google Map for Dartford Heath Car Park.
Wednesday 15th – Blackbush Shaw, Newbarn Lane, Cudham, Sevenoaks
We will be removing ragwort growing on site. The Woodland Trust is legally required to do this because their land borders landowners with grazing animals.
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 9:50am if meeting at Cudham Recreation Ground (Steph can give everyone a lift to site from here) There is plenty of parking at Cudham Recreation Ground or alternatively there is space for 2 vehicles at the verge side parking location along Newbarn Lane. Depending on the ground conditions a few vehicles may be able to park on site at the vehicle access gate if the area is not too muddy.
What3words:
Verge Side Parking: ///become.jams.lonely
Vehicle Access Gate: ///wanted.dash.pack
Thursday 16th – Blackbush Shaw, Newbarn Lane, Cudham, Sevenoaks
We will be removing ragwort growing on site. The Woodland Trust is legally required to do this because their land borders landowners with grazing animals.
Led by: Lucy Sawyer-Boyd (07809334071)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 9:50am if meeting at Cudham Recreation Ground (Lucy can give everyone a lift to site from here) There is plenty of parking at Cudham Recreation Ground or alternatively there is space for 2 vehicles at the verge side parking location along Newbarn Lane. Depending on the ground conditions a few vehicles may be able to park on site at the vehicle access gate if the area is not too muddy.
What3words:
Verge Side Parking: ///become.jams.lonely
Vehicle Access Gate: ///wanted.dash.pack
Tuesday 21st – Dartford Heath
We will be bracken pulling on Dartford Heath, this will help reduce bracken dominance and support the restoration of diverse heathland vegetation. We will be working in the compartment opposite the car park on Heath Lane (Google Map for Dartford Heath).
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting at Dartford Heath car park, Heath Lane (Upper), Dartford DA1 2TN Google Map for Dartford Heath Car Park.
Wednesday 22nd – Dartford Heath
We will be bracken pulling on Dartford Heath, this will help reduce bracken dominance and support the restoration of diverse heathland vegetation. We will be working in the compartment opposite the car park on Heath Lane (Google Map for Dartford Heath).
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting at Dartford Heath car park, Heath Lane (Upper), Dartford DA1 2TN Google Map for Dartford Heath Car Park.
Thursday 23rd – River Darent at Horton Kirby
We will be continuing works to undertake bank side and in channel enhancement works on the River Darent at Horton Kirby. Please let Mark know by the 22nd of July what size waders you will need (foot size).
Led by: Mark Gallant (07740185228)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site at the Dartford & District Angling Preservation Society car park (Horton Road, Horton Kirby, Sevenoaks, DA4 9BS).
If you are traveling south along Horton Road, the gate for the DDAP`s fishing complex at Horton Kirby is located approx. 185 metres on the right-hand side after you pass the village hall.
The gate must always remain locked so if you are running late please phone Mark on his mobile to let him know.
Google Map for DDAP Fishing Complex (this link is for the Horton Kirby Scout Hut, which is located next to the DDAP`s fishing complex car park).
What3words: ///swing.draw.flows
Tuesday 28th – East Hill Cemetery, East Hill, Dartford DA1 1SW
We will be raking up grass cuttings.
Led by: Lucy Sawyer-Boyd (07809334071)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 10am on site. There is a very small parking area but there is also parking on the nearby residential roads as well. Google Map for East Hill Cemetery
What3words: ///activism.economies.curry
Wednesday 29th – River Darent at Horton Kirby
We will be continuing works to undertake bank side and in channel enhancement works on the River Darent at Horton Kirby. Please let Mark know by the 28th of July what size waders you will need (foot size).
Led by: Mark Gallant (07740185228)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site at the Dartford & District Angling Preservation Society car park (Horton Road, Horton Kirby, Sevenoaks, DA4 9BS).
If you are traveling south along Horton Road, the gate for the DDAP`s fishing complex at Horton Kirby is located approx. 185 metres on the right-hand side after you pass the village hall.
The gate must always remain locked so if you are running late please phone Mark on his mobile to let him know.
Google Map for DDAP Fishing Complex (this link is for the Horton Kirby Scout Hut, which is located next to the DDAP`s fishing complex car park).
What3words: ///swing.draw.flows
Thursday 30th – River Darent at Horton Kirby
We will be continuing works to undertake bank side and in channel enhancement works on the River Darent at Horton Kirby. Please let Mark know by the 29th of July what size waders you will need (foot size).
Led by: Mark Gallant (07740185228)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site at the Dartford & District Angling Preservation Society car park (Horton Road, Horton Kirby, Sevenoaks, DA4 9BS).
If you are traveling south along Horton Road, the gate for the DDAP`s fishing complex at Horton Kirby is located approx. 185 metres on the right-hand side after you pass the village hall.
The gate must always remain locked so if you are running late please phone Mark on his mobile to let him know.
Google Map for DDAP Fishing Complex (this link is for the Horton Kirby Scout Hut, which is located next to the DDAP`s fishing complex car park).
What3words: ///swing.draw.flows
August 2026
Tuesday 4th – Joydens Wood, Summerhouse Drive, Dartford DA2 7PB
We will be pulling up bracken that is encroaching on the heathland at Joydens Wood.
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am, at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 9:40 if meeting on site at the entrance to Joydens Wood that is next to the bus stop on Summerhouse Drive. There is plenty of parking on the residential roads off from Summerhouse Drive. The heathland area we will be working in is approximately a 15 minute walk from the entrance.
What3words Summerhouse Drive Entrance: ///order.ranch.slug
Wednesday 5th – River Darent at Horton Kirby
We will be continuing works to undertake bank side and in channel enhancement works on the River Darent at Horton Kirby. Please let Mark know by the 4th of August what size waders you will need (foot size).
Led by: Mark Gallant (07740185228)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site at the Dartford & District Angling Preservation Society car park (Horton Road, Horton Kirby, Sevenoaks, DA4 9BS).
If you are traveling south along Horton Road, the gate for the DDAP`s fishing complex at Horton Kirby is located approx. 185 metres on the right-hand side after you pass the village hall.
The gate must always remain locked so if you are running late please phone Mark on his mobile to let him know.
Google Map for DDAP Fishing Complex (this link is for the Horton Kirby Scout Hut, which is located next to the DDAP`s fishing complex car park).
What3words: ///swing.draw.flows
Thursday 6th – No Task
Monday 10th – National Hedgehog Monitoring Project
We will be collecting the camera traps we placed out last time.
Volunteers with previous experience would be very much appreciated, but full guidance will be given on the day.
Led by: Kath Boyd (Kath.Boyd2@kent.gov.uk)
Meeting Time and Place: 9:30am at Holborough Lakes Village Hall.
Tuesday 11th – Dartford Heath
We will be bracken pulling on Dartford Heath, this will help reduce bracken dominance and support the restoration of diverse heathland vegetation. We will be working in the compartment opposite the car park on Heath Lane (Google Map for Dartford Heath).
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting at Dartford Heath car park, Heath Lane (Upper), Dartford DA1 2TN Google Map for Dartford Heath Car Park.
Wednesday 12th – Blackbush Shaw, Newbarn Lane, Cudham, Sevenoaks
We will be removing ragwort growing on site. The Woodland Trust is legally required to do this because their land borders landowners with grazing animals.
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 9:50am if meeting at Cudham Recreation Ground (Steph can give everyone a lift to site from here) There is plenty of parking at Cudham Recreation Ground or alternatively there is space for 2 vehicles at the verge side parking location along Newbarn Lane. Depending on the ground conditions a few vehicles may be able to park on site at the vehicle access gate if the area is not too muddy.
What3words:
Verge Side Parking: ///become.jams.lonely
Vehicle Access Gate: ///wanted.dash.pack
Thursday 13th – Blackbush Shaw, Newbarn Lane, Cudham, Sevenoaks
We will be removing ragwort growing on site. The Woodland Trust is legally required to do this because their land borders landowners with grazing animals.
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 9:50am if meeting at Cudham Recreation Ground (Steph can give everyone a lift to site from here) There is plenty of parking at Cudham Recreation Ground or alternatively there is space for 2 vehicles at the verge side parking location along Newbarn Lane. Depending on the ground conditions a few vehicles may be able to park on site at the vehicle access gate if the area is not too muddy.
What3words:
Verge Side Parking: ///become.jams.lonely
Vehicle Access Gate: ///wanted.dash.pack
Tuesday 18th – Rectory Meadow, Hartley, Banckside Road, DA3 7RD
We will be cutting the meadows on site and raking up the arisings. Brushcutter operators will be required.
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park if wanting a lift, otherwise meet on site at 10am at the entrance to Rectory Meadow (gate at the end of Banckside Road).
What3words: ///grain.funny.drain
Wednesday 19th – River Darent at Horton Kirby
We will be continuing works to undertake bank side and in channel enhancement works on the River Darent at Horton Kirby. Please let Mark know by the 18th of August what size waders you will need (foot size).
Led by: Mark Gallant (07740185228)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site at the Dartford & District Angling Preservation Society car park (Horton Road, Horton Kirby, Sevenoaks, DA4 9BS).
If you are traveling south along Horton Road, the gate for the DDAP`s fishing complex at Horton Kirby is located approx. 185 metres on the right-hand side after you pass the village hall.
The gate must always remain locked so if you are running late please phone Mark on his mobile to let him know.
Google Map for DDAP Fishing Complex (this link is for the Horton Kirby Scout Hut, which is located next to the DDAP`s fishing complex car park).
What3words: ///swing.draw.flows
Thursday 20th – River Darent at Horton Kirby
We will be continuing works to undertake bank side and in channel enhancement works on the River Darent at Horton Kirby. Please let Mark know by the 19th of August what size waders you will need (foot size).
Led by: Mark Gallant (07740185228)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site at the Dartford & District Angling Preservation Society car park (Horton Road, Horton Kirby, Sevenoaks, DA4 9BS).
If you are traveling south along Horton Road, the gate for the DDAP`s fishing complex at Horton Kirby is located approx. 185 metres on the right-hand side after you pass the village hall.
The gate must always remain locked so if you are running late please phone Mark on his mobile to let him know.
Google Map for DDAP Fishing Complex (this link is for the Horton Kirby Scout Hut, which is located next to the DDAP`s fishing complex car park).
What3words: ///swing.draw.flows
Tuesday 25th – Dartford Heath
We will be bracken pulling on Dartford Heath, this will help reduce bracken dominance and support the restoration of diverse heathland vegetation. We will be working in the compartment opposite the car park on Heath Lane (Google Map for Dartford Heath).
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting at Dartford Heath car park, Heath Lane (Upper), Dartford DA1 2TN Google Map for Dartford Heath Car Park.
Wednesday 26th – River Darent at Horton Kirby
We will be continuing works to undertake bank side and in channel enhancement works on the River Darent at Horton Kirby. Please let Mark know by the 25th of August what size waders you will need (foot size).
Led by: Mark Gallant (07740185228)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site at the Dartford & District Angling Preservation Society car park (Horton Road, Horton Kirby, Sevenoaks, DA4 9BS).
If you are traveling south along Horton Road, the gate for the DDAP`s fishing complex at Horton Kirby is located approx. 185 metres on the right-hand side after you pass the village hall.
The gate must always remain locked so if you are running late please phone Mark on his mobile to let him know.
Google Map for DDAP Fishing Complex (this link is for the Horton Kirby Scout Hut, which is located next to the DDAP`s fishing complex car park).
What3words: ///swing.draw.flows
Thursday 27th – Rectory Meadow, Hartley, Banckside Road, DA3 7RD
We will be cutting the meadows on site and raking up the arisings. Brushcutter operators will be required.
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am at Trosley Country Park if wanting a lift, otherwise meet on site at 10am at the entrance to Rectory Meadow (gate at the end of Banckside Road).
What3words: ///grain.funny.drain
