ARCHAEOLOGY VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK

Content

1) Welcome 2

2) Introduction to the Lake District National Park Authority;

the Environment and Heritage Service and

the Lake District Archaeology Volunteer Network 3

3) Becoming an Archaeology Volunteer 6

4) Useful information 9

5)Procedures 14

6) Additional information 16

7) Appendices 17

1 Volunteering Policy 17

2 Health and Safety for Volunteers and Supervisors 20

3 Guidelines for Supervisors 28

4 End of volunteering/ season evaluation form 31

1) Welcome

This booklet is for anyone thinking of archaeology volunteering with the Lake District National Park Authority or the Lake District Archaeology Volunteer Network. It explains:

  • the role of the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA);
  • the role of the Environment and Heritage team;
  • the role of the Lake District Archaeology Volunteer Network (LDAVN);
  • what happens when you first start volunteering with the LDNPA or LDAVN;
  • what you can expect from us, and what we ask of you.

Please keep this booklet safe. You may need to refer to it from time to time.

Thank you for your gift of time to the Lake District National Park. We hope you will enjoy your volunteering experience and the opportunity to contribute to our work.

Your involvement will extend the ability of the Lake District archaeologists and other professionals to manage and conserve the historic environment of the National Park.

2) Introduction

What is a National Park?

National Parks are extensive areas of the countryside. They have been given strong protection under legislation and the planning system for the conservation and enhancement of their special qualities.

Who is the Lake District National Park Authority?

We, the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) are a special purpose Government body with responsibility for the management of the Lake District National Park.

We are not the same as other Local Government bodies such as Cumbria County Council and the District and Borough Councils. Our work is limited by our purposes to the protection and conservation of what is widely regarded as the finest upland scenery in England, and promoting understanding and enjoyment of the National Park’s special qualities. We also have a Vision for the National Park, which is shared with our many partners across Cumbria.

Our job is to:

  • conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park, and;
  • promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities.

We also have a duty.

In pursuing the purposes set out above, a National Park Authority shall seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park.

Some of our work is similar to other councils, such as being responsible for planning decisions within the National Park. We also maintain the local rights of way network, manage Tree Preservation Orders, and provide an education service. More details on what each of the teams do can be found on our website (

We own about 4% of the land within the National Park. The remaining land is in the hands of other agencies such as the National Trust, United Utilities, Forest Enterprise and a vast range of private landowners.

Vision for the National Park

What is the Vision?

The Lake District National Park will be an inspirational example of sustainable development in action.

What will it look like?

A place where its prosperous economy, world class visitor experiences and vibrant communities all come together to sustain the spectacular landscape, its wildlife and cultural heritage.

You can read the full version here:

Lake District National Park Partnership

A force for action

Key organisations with a role in the Lake District National Park captured their enthusiasm to work together and make things happen.In 2006 they formed the Lake District National Park Partnership.

Who is in it?

The Partnership is made up of representatives from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors.

What makes it special?

Instead of placing all responsibility on us, the Partnership owns the Vision. They work to make it happen through their Management Plan which contains actions. We are a member of the Partnership, acting as an equal partner.

You can read the full version here:

Environment and Heritage Service

Purpose: to provide helpful advice to people and develop exciting partnership projects which will enhance the natural and cultural qualities of the National Park as economic and social assets.

We provide the following services:

The Environment and Heritage Service consists of permanent staff, project staff and the Head of Service. We provide the following services:

  • Delivering statutory functions – Tree Preservation Orders, Trees in Conservation Areas, Hedgerow Regulations;
  • Advice to communities, land managers and other businesses and agencies on landscape, trees and woodlands, ecology, built environment design and archaeology and cultural heritage;
  • Advice to and cross-cutting working with, our Authority colleagues on development management, research, strategy, policy and projects;
  • Working in partnership with communities and other organisations on research, strategy, policy and projects.

Our team consists of:

Permanent staff:

  • Head of Environment and Heritage
  • Landscape Architect
  • Senior Archaeology and Heritage Adviser
  • Archaeology and Heritage Adviser
  • Conservation & Design Adviser
  • Ecologist
  • Environment & Heritage Administrator
  • Trees and Woodland Officer

Project staff:

  • Archaeology and Heritage Assistant
  • Community Archaeology Trainee
  • Carbon Landscape Co-ordinator
  • Environmental Land Management Service Project Co-ordinator

Archaeology Team

We are:

Permanent staff:

  • John Hodgson, Senior Archaeology and Heritage Adviser
  • Eleanor Kingston, Archaeology and Heritage Adviser

Project staff:

  • Holly Beavitt-Pike, Archaeology and Heritage Assistant
  • Kasia Litwa, Community Archaeology Trainee

We provide information and advice on all aspects of the historic environment in the Lake District National Park. We contribute to National Park policies and strategies, develop and implement projects for survey, conservation and outreach.

We also carry out research to improve our understanding of this resource. We work with individuals, local groups and societies, universities and local and national organisations.

Lake District Archaeology Volunteer Network

The Lake District Archaeology Volunteer Network will consist of a number of organisations initially including the National Park Authority and the National Trust. It will provide a wider opportunity for volunteering within the field of archaeology and historic environment and help to co-ordinate volunteers from a number of organisations. It will also help to improve the quality of work of the volunteers and the involved professionals.

The Network will help us to raise awareness about the archaeology and historic environment of the Lake District and provide a sustainable basis for future management and to achieve the Vision where the Lake District National Park is a place where its prosperous economy, world class visitor experiences and vibrant communities all come together to sustain the spectacular landscape, its wildlife and cultural heritage.

3) Becoming an Archaeology Volunteer or Archaeology Network Member

Staff and volunteers

The National Park Authority employs about 200 regular and seasonal staff and involves over 450 volunteers. While staff provides the structure, organisation and day-to-day management of our work, volunteers contribute a wide range of important and supportive roles, plus time, flexibility and many specialist skills.

Benefits to you

As a volunteer you’ll get to meet new people with similar interests and love of the Lake District and its historic environment and discover new skills or develop your existing ones. Joining us on various activities will help you keep fit, improve your wellbeing and is fun too! You are sure to get to places you haven’t been before.

Volunteering for everyone

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe that volunteering should be open to all regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, disability, marital status, age, religion, community background or political beliefs. Volunteer placements are made on merit. Selection is made on the individual’s suitability to carry out the specified task.

Volunteers’ age

There’s no upper age limit and we recognise the valuable contribution made by older volunteers in terms of knowledge and experience. However, volunteers are discouraged from continuing beyond a point detrimental to the health and safety of themselves or others or when their tasks become too onerous.

Volunteers who are under 18 cannot volunteer individually. Some volunteering opportunities for under 18 are organised on a group basis.

Volunteer roles and main duties

The roles include:

•Archaeology Volunteer;

•Archaeology Volunteer Supervisor;

•Archaeology Network Member.

Tasks will vary, depending on the project, site and season of the year and may include bracken clearing, strimming, land survey and monitoring, archaeological and conservation work.

Learning about your role

Your learning and development will start as soon as you join us and much of it will be ‘on the job’. The information that you learn from your leader and fellow volunteers will be very useful. Other informal training sessions may form part of the local volunteers meetings, or you may be required to attend more formal training events.

Everyone is a volunteer

You can volunteer with us as an Archaeology Volunteer, Archaeology Volunteer Supervisor or Archaeology Network Volunteer. By its very definition voluntary work is that which is undertaken willingly and with a sense of personal commitment; however, we ask Archaeology Volunteers to agree to commit to at least 5 days across the year; and Supervisors to agree to commit to at least 10 days across the year.

As a Network Memberyou do not need to do a minimum number of duties and can volunteer with us occasionally. You can increase your commitment to working towards becoming an Archaeology Volunteer or you can still continue volunteering as a Network Volunteer if you decide you cannot commit to the 5 days across the year.

I want to volunteer on a regular basis as an Archaeology Volunteer

1. Once you have begun volunteering with us to attend a Volunteer Welcome Event. These take place every four months and are a chance to meet staff, experienced volunteers and other new volunteers. It is likely there will be a gap between you beginning volunteering and the Volunteer Welcome Event. Please feel free to continue volunteering and taking part in the training too.

2. At the Welcome Event you will find out more about the work of the Archaeology team. You will also have an informal discussion with the relevant member of staff to tell us what type of activities you would like to take part in. This will help us to identify what training you need to complete for your volunteering with us.

3. There will be an annual programme of training. We will do our best to ensure that you can attend the appropriate training within a reasonable timescale.

4. We want to feel confident that you have the skills to undertake the tasks we have asked you to do. For this reason there may be some occasions where you are asked to attend a training course for a second time if it is felt that you would benefit.

5. If we are still not happy for you to do a specific activity alone we will talk to you about other volunteering opportunities with us.

6. As a committed Archaeology Volunteer you are entitled to claim travel expenses for the activities that you take part in and the costs towards protective clothing and equipment.

I want to volunteer on a regular basis as an Archaeology Volunteer Supervisor

You will need to follow the above procedures. In addition, due to the training offered we will ask you to commit to at least tenvolunteering days across the year for at least 3 years.

After a probation period of an appropriate training and an assessment you will be able to run the projects with a minimal supervision from the National Park Authority archaeologists.

As in point 4 above, there will be an annual programme of training available for all volunteers; however, we will ask Supervisors to attend extra training to help them in their role.

I want to continue as an Occasional Volunteer

If you prefer to volunteer on an occasional basis you can join the LDArchaeology Volunteer Network. Please, have a look at the Network Archaeology Member role profile on our website

As a Network Member you are not asked to commit a certain amount of time to volunteering with us, therefore you will not be entitled to claim any expenses.

What do I need to bring?

Projects take place outdoors in the countryside so old clothes are the best option. A waterproof jacket and over-trousers are also necessary as are Wellington boots or sturdy walking boots preferably with steel toecaps. You will need to bring your own lunch and any drinks you may want.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Projects are not usually abandoned just because of rain, which is why waterproofs are necessary, but if working conditions become unsafe the decision will be taken to stop work for the day. We will contact you if any activity is cancelled.

If you would like to volunteer

Volunteer applicants will have to complete an application form (help can be given with this if necessary). The applicant may be required to have a short face-to-face/telephone interview. All voluntary roles will be clearly defined. If an applicant is not deemed suitable for the voluntary role for which they have applied, we may suggest an alternative role or the application will be declined.

Once you become a volunteer we will contact you about the tasks and trainings that you can do.

You must not take part in any activity which you have not had the appropriate training. We want to support you in your role and being trained gives us the confidence that you are able to undertake the task in hand.

4) Useful information

If you are a registered National Park Authority Volunteer

Travelling expenses

Car allowances are payable (from Cumbria county boundary) for:

  • any volunteering activity which has been arranged with a member of staff;
  • attendance at local volunteers meetings, and;
  • attendance at training courses.

To help reduce our impact on the environment we encourage car sharing, wherever possible. The mileage allowance paid includes an amount for each passenger you take in your vehicle. If you are in doubt whether you can claim for an activity that you are taking part in please contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator (details on page 17).

Protective clothing and equipment

If you are regularly involved in work parties, and have attended a Volunteer Welcome Event, you can claim towards the cost of protective clothing.

An arrangement has been made with the West Cumberland Farmers Country Centre at Kendal, Penrith, Cockermouth and Ulverston:

  • Mintsfeet Road North, Kendal 01539 723684
  • Brunswick Road, Penrith 01768 862207
  • Station Street, Cockermouth 01900 822249
  • Lindal,Old Saw Mills, Ulverston 01229 582401

Take along your Lake District Volunteers Service badge as identification and you can purchase a pair of Work Master (or similar) boots and the cost will be invoiced to the Lake District National Park Authority giving your name as a reference. The Work Master boot is available in size seven upwards. If you require a smaller size please purchase boots from another supplier and claim the money back on the expense claim form, which must be accompanied by a receipt.

If you wish to purchase a more expensive model of boot from West Cumberland Farmers Country Centre or any other outlet, you should pay the whole amount of the boot and then claim back up to £30 on a separate expense claim form. This must be accompanied by a receipt.

If you have not yet attended a Volunteer Welcome Event, you should purchase your own boots for use on work parties. Please check the Policy for the current reimbursement rates. You should then submit the receipt on a separate expense claim form and we will reimburse you.

Other safety items

Safety wellies

Gloves

Goggles

Boiler Suits

These can all be purchased at West Cumberland Farmers Country Centre at less than the maximum amount. Please be advised that it is considered good practice to replace new safety boots or wellies once every five years. In all cases, once the purchase has been made, please inform the Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Activity Log and Expenses form can be found on the Extranet:

Badge and Uniform

After committing to 5/10 days you will be given a volunteer badge and a t-shirt with logo. If you are the Network Member you may purchase a t-shirt with logo at the expense rate.