Environmental volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to: 

• get involved in your community
• meet new people
• stay active
• learn new skills

You can make a positive impact by volunteering, and you can give as much or as little time as you want.   

‘Friends Of’ groups   

‘Friends Of’ groups work voluntarily to maintain, improve and promote parks and green spaces.  

They’re numbers of people who want to get involved in addressing problems in their neighbourhoods. We also work with them to achieve this. 

The 'Friends Of' groups page on our website provides guidance on what groups are available and how to join them.

Sheffield has one of the largest numbers of ‘Friends Of’ groups in the country. We’ll sign post you to the support and volunteer opportunities that will make you best feel valued by a community and the council. 

If you’re looking to set up a new ‘Friends Of’ group, you can use this guide (PDF download).

 We’ve also launched our Environmental Volunteering Strategy: email streetscenevolunteering@sheffield.gov.uk for more information or support.

Tenants and Residents Association

If you’re a member of your Tenant and Resident Association (TARA), you can contact your allocated liaison officer about volunteering.

Wildlife Trust  

We’ve partnered with the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, which helps bring people closer to nature. It’s a registered charity that relies upon support from members, volunteers and supporters. 

If you want to safeguard and enhance the environment, and to create a better future for our wildlife, consider joining them.   

The Wildlife Trust manages 15 nature reserves in the local area. Their goal is to ensure that 30% of its land and water are excellent for nature by 2030 and that everyone has access to green spaces within a five-minute walk from their home

How we can help

We can provide anyone looking to volunteer with equipment on loan.

The Sheffield Community Toolbank (based in Abbeyfield Park House in Burngreave) can support your volunteering by loaning out DIY and gardening tools for a low cost.

Setting up your own environmental volunteering group   

You can follow our starting a new community group guide (PDF download) for setting up a new group: 

To set up your own community action, volunteering or ‘Friends Of’ group, start by setting up an email domain. This gives a clear point of contact for anyone interested in joining and any other organisations to reach you. 

Advertising is also important – social media is a good place to start. You can do this through the Sheffield Litter Pickers Facebook page. 

You could also print posters to share your group and details about events. Make sure that you create a sign-up sheet for those wanting to join the mailing list and for those taking litter pickers away.   

Additional support 

Voluntary Action Sheffield has a website full of advice for volunteers and groups.

Volunteer Centre Sheffield release a monthly bulletin advertising all the different volunteering opportunities. These are from diverse groups across the city.

Do IT is a national volunteer database where you can both look for volunteer groups and recruit new volunteers.

Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust has a useful website for advice on starting a new community group.