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 – April 2026
Wednesday 1st – No Task Planned
Thursday 2nd – Blackbush Shaw, Newbarn Lane, Cudham, Sevenoaks
We will be removing ragwort growing on site. The Woodland Trust is required to do this because their land borders landowners with grazing animals.
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am, at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site (vehicle access gate). There is plenty of parking at Cudham Recreation Ground and the site is about a 10 minute walk from there. 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 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
Wednesday 8th – Blackbush Shaw, Newbarn Lane, Cudham, Sevenoaks
We will be removing ragwort growing on site. The Woodland Trust is required to do this because their land borders landowners with grazing animals.
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am, at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site (vehicle access gate). There is plenty of parking at Cudham Recreation Ground and the site is about a 10 minute walk from there. 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 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 9th – Blackbush Shaw, Newbarn Lane, Cudham, Sevenoaks
We will be removing ragwort growing on site. The Woodland Trust is required to do this because their land borders landowners with grazing animals.
Led by: Stephanie Johnson (07816128570)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am, at the yard at Trosley Country Park or 10am if meeting on site (vehicle access gate). There is plenty of parking at Cudham Recreation Ground and the site is about a 10 minute walk from there. 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 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
Wednesday 15th – 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 and we will also be using the power scythe to help with the cutting.
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am in the yard 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
Thursday 16th – Volunteer Get Together at Trosley Country Park
We will be getting together with the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership volunteers for tea, coffee and cakes to meet each other, along with a tour of the park and where we will be based.
Please let Steph know if you want to come along to this, so we can plan catering.
Time: 10-1pm (approx. may finish earlier)
Wednesday 22nd – No Task Planned
Thursday 23rd – 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 and we will also be using the power scythe to help with the cutting.
Led by: Nina Skinner (07816128553)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am in the yard 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 29th – Preston Farm, Shoreham Road, Shoreham TN14 7UE
We will be harvesting water crowfoot on the River Darent to reintroduce it at Lullingstone Castle where it is currently absent. Please let Mark know by midday 28th of April what size waders you will need (foot size) as this task will mean going in the river. It is advisable to bring a spare set of clothes.
Led by: Mark Gallant (07740185228)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am if needing a lift from Trosley Country Park or 10am on site.
https://maps Google Map for Preston Farm
There is free parking on site. The entrance to Preston Farm can be accessed from the A225 via an automatic gate, press trades button on intercom system to open gate. Follow track down to farm buildings, passing the Down-to-Earth trees office. Park beside the large barn facing the river/bridge.
What3words: /// dates.loyal.nurse
Thursday 30th – Lullington Castle, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JA
We will be introducing the water crowfoot harvested the previous day into the River Darent at Lullingstone Castle. Please let Mark know by midday 28th of April what size waders you will need (foot size) as this task will mean going in the river. It is advisable to bring a spare set of clothes.
Led by: Mark Gallant (07740185228)
Meeting Time and Place: 9am if needing a lift from Trosley Country Park or 10am on site at the top entrance to Lullington Castle, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0JA (access via the top entrance located on the Shoreham Road, Eynsford, Sevenoaks, Kent, DA4 0HX). Please reference the Lullingstone map to locate this entrance. Please note that Tom Hartdyke (landowner) has asked that the top gate be kept locked at all times, so if you are going to be late, please call Mark on his mobile.
Map for Lullingstone Castle Top Entrance
What3words: ///many.human.heads
