Organisation Name:
York Bike Belles CIC
Organisation's Cause(s):
Education & Learning
Environment / Green Spaces
Health
Local Community
Recreation
Transport
Location of voluntary activity:
Walks take place in the south of York from Millennium Bridge.
When are volunteers needed: The first Tuesday and the third Saturday of the month.
Each walk needs a walk leader and a support walker from the Nature Walk Leader volunteers. Walks will take place monthly on a Tuesday and Saturday, every month of the year. We ask you to commit to delivering 1-2 walks a month, about 4 – 5 hours a month for each walk (including walk preparation, delivery and reporting).
Type of Voluntary Activity:
Community Work
Outdoor
Sports / Physical Activities
Role description:
We have an exciting new volunteer opportunity. Are you enthusiastic about nature, walking, and supporting people? Are you confident and happy to take the lead, good with people from all ages and backgrounds, and an excellent communicator? If so, this role might be for you!
We would like you to lead and support our regular nature walks in the south of York from Summer 2026.
Role Overview
Feedback from our recent Take the Green Route! project was that people wanted our popular Nature Walks to continue regularly, all year round. From Summer 2026 , we would like to start regular walks on the first Tuesday and third Saturday of every month to meet this community demand.
Our inclusive group Nature Walks are supported by 2 volunteers on each walk, along 8 set routes from the Millennium Bridge. Tuesday walks last about 1 hour and have accessible route options, and Saturday walks last about 1.5 hours. Walks are on a ‘just turn up’ basis and can be for a group of 1 to 20 people.
The main aim of the walks is to increase participants’ health and wellbeing through nature connection, nature learning opportunities, gentle exercise, and friendly company. Each walk includes time for a mindful nature pause, as well as approximately 4 items of interest in nature.
Our induction and training includes organisational and nature eLearning, safeguarding and walk leader training. The walk leader training includes being on walks with our experienced walk leader first, delivering walks alongside them and then delivering walks with them in support. We will provide guidance on nature connection and essential nature knowledge in our eLearning and practice walks, but volunteers are expected to develop these skills and knowledge themselves as part of their role. A rewarding pursuit!
Key Responsibilities
Participate in YBB Induction and Training
Liaise with other Nature Walk volunteers about roles for the planned walk and for cover if your plans change. Each walk requires 2 volunteers; a walk leader and a support walker.
Liaise with the other Nature Walk volunteer for that date about the route for the planned walk.
Check the route shortly before the walk itself.
Adapt route or walk as needed on the day to the needs of group participants, weather etc.
The walk leader for that walk will decide on approximately 4 points of nature interest to share with the participants on the walk, with sufficient knowledge of these to discuss with the group. They also lead the nature pause having identified an appropriate place.
Arrive at the meeting point for the walk at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the walk.
Greet participants, taking required information and consent in an activity register
Deliver the walk in a safe and timely way, with the lead at the front and support walking at the back of the group.
Signpost participants to York Bike Belles’ nature resources and other activities.
Complete a short walk report for the Activity Coordinator.
(Optional) Help promote the Nature Walks in York
Skills and behaviours needed for the role:
You are enthusiastic about nature, walking, and supporting people .
You have excellent communication skills.
You are positive and self-motivated.
You are supportive and patient.
You are good with people of all ages and from all backgrounds.
You are confident in taking the lead in an activity.
You have a good understanding of nature and environmental issues.
(Desirable) You may have experience delivering group activities.
(Desirable) You may have experience working with and making activities accessible to a wide range of people, of a diversity of ages, abilities and life situations.
You are willing to work within YBB Policies and Procedures including Health and Safety and Risk Assessments, Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Privacy, Volunteer and Environmental Sustainability.
You are willing to walk, cycle, or use public transport to get around York to our activities.
Will there be a DBS check? Yes
Driving Licence required? No
Volunteer's own vehicle required? No
Suitable for:
Ongoing Volunteering
What will the volunteer gain/benefit from:
We guarantee you will enjoy working with us to encourage more people to get outdoors and enjoy nature around York. You will make a positive difference to people’s lives and your community. You will find being a volunteer with us a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience!
You will find that you get out more, learn about everyday nature around you, meet lots of new people and have fun!
Our induction and training includes organisational and nature eLearning, safeguarding and walk leader training. The walk leader training includes being on walks with our experienced walk leader first, delivering walks alongside them and then delivering walks with them in support. We will provide guidance on nature connection and essential nature knowledge in our eLearning and practice walks, but volunteers are expected to develop these skills and knowledge themselves as part of their role. A rewarding pursuit!
How to get involved:
Please complete the application form which you can find attached, or available via our website and from takethegreenroute@gmail.com
Please email the completed application form to takethegreenroute@gmail.com by Monday 2 March 2026.
Successful applicants will be invited to an interview. We ask for a reference and may need to carry out a DBS check.
Web link: Click here
Closing date: 02-03-2026