Person Profile and Role for an Orchard Champion Volunteer

Person profile and role for an Orchard Champion volunteer

Orchard Champions are volunteers who raise awareness in their local community about traditional orchards .They also offer support to people who own or manage traditional orchards who may be having difficulties or need encouragement to restore them.

Anyone can be an Orchard Champion. You don't have to be an expert in traditional orchards, although it would help if you have some orchard knowledge. Orchard Champions will come from a wide variety of ages, backgrounds and cultures. This contributes to the effectiveness of the scheme – Orchard Champions can reach parts of a community that other orchard promoting activities cannot. Orchard Champion activities include talking to friends, family and neighbours, attending village fairs or giving talks to local groups.

How much commitment do I have to make?

Orchard Champions need to commit to attending all 5 training days. Most Orchard Champions then also spend a minimum of 30 hours annually in their orchard promotional activities. These 30 hours includes all travel and preparation time and are logged on the Garden Organic website.

What help will I receive?

The first step to becoming an Orchards Champion is to attend the training course spread across 5 days. The purpose of this training is to ensure that all volunteers have the same basic level of knowledge. Your place on the Orchard Champions scheme will be fully funded and you will not have to pay for the training course or any resources. We do ask that you pay your own travel expenses to the training but we'll help you with lift shares where possible.

Main purpose of the role

The aims of an Orchard Champion volunteer are to:

§  Raise awareness of the importance of traditional orchards

§  Encourage more people to help care for orchards

§  Support those already managing orchards to ensure they are successful in their activities

§  Promote the Three Counties Traditional Orchard Project

Our main focus areas for our work are Gorsley, Kilcot and Longney in Gloucestershire, Whitbourne, Breinton and Ross on Wye in Herefordshire and Rochford / Tenbury, Evesham, Pershore and Alfrick in Worcestershire. We'd especially like to hear from you if you live in these areas.

Key relationships

Orchard Champions are active in local communities throughout the Three Counties and are supported by:

§  Three Counties Traditional Orchard Project

§  Garden Organic

Main activities and responsibilities

The following list is not exhaustive; volunteers can complete whatever type of orchard promotional activity they wish and feel comfortable doing.

Examples of volunteer work carried out by Orchard Champions:

1.  Talks

§  Orchard groups and gardening clubs

§  Young Farmers groups

§  Horticultural societies

§  Guest speakers at evening classes

§  W.I talks

2.  Events

§  Neighbourhood events e.g. village fetes, fund raising events and community days

§  Local garden centres e.g. displays and leaflets

§  Help with TCTOP events, e.g. blossom picnics, walks and juicing days

3.  Written articles

§  Promotion in the local press - the importance of traditional orchards

§  Articles in the gardening section of the local paper

§  Promotion of the local sales of orchard related products

§  Provide information for newsletters for orchard groups or local resident community groups

§  Articles in Parish/Community/ Church Magazines

4.  Other promotion ideas

§  Help promote sales of local fruit varieties

§  Help at TCTOP roadshows

§  Help design leaflets

§  Contribute to websites

5.  Other ways to help

§  Promote and join in with TCTOP practical work days in project orchards

§  Help with a local orchard group

Person Profile
Essential / Desirable
Education and Qualifications / None. / Good literacy and numeracy skills
Specialist Knowledge and Skills / None. / Some orchard knowledge and/or a passion for traditional orchards
Interpersonal and Communication Skills / Ability to share knowledge and/or present information to others
Good verbal and/or written communication skills
Ability to deal with people at all levels in a warm and welcoming manner
Flexible and adaptable, able to work on own initiative
Willing to work both independently and as part of a team
Relevant Experience / None / Some orchard knowledge desirable, an interest in their history, traditions, wildlife and local fruit varieties
Additional Requirements / Able to attend all Orchard Champion training dates
Able to commit time to orchard promotional activities
Ability to travel to training and events