TWELVE volunteers who work with the Steel Valley Project have started training in first aid at work. This is in addition to eight volunteers who recently achieved certificates in using chainsaws. The Stocksbridge based Steel Valley Project is a countryside management partnership that provides volunteering opportunities to people to take part in environmental and conservation projects in North Sheffield, Penistone and Denby Dale.
Training and supervision is provided by Steel Valley Project Officers on projects that include: developing school grounds; managing woodland and tree planting, taking care of nature reserves; footpath construction and maintenance; installing gates, steps, benches, information panels and way-markers and repairing boundaries such as fencing, dry-stone walls and hedgerows. In return for their time volunteers are offered the opportunity to gain qualifications and certificates of competency in a range of subjects.
For example; first aid at work, using power tools such as chainsaws, brush-cutters and strimmers, and learning traditional countryside skills. Project Manager Matthew North said, The Steel Valley Project relies on volunteers to deliver much of its work. In order for us to deliver quality projects as well as help people achieve their own goals we look to invest in their skills and qualifications. This also supports volunteers to go on to find work and in some instances start up their own businesses.
Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, the Steel Valley Project was able to manage 80 hectares of land for people and wildlife, 21 kilometres of footpaths and deliver 33 different environmental projects in 2011. The Steel Valley Project is supported by the East Peak Innovation Partnership LEADER Programme using funding made available through the Rural Development Programme for England, which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union.
