YHA & NCRC volunteering opportunities at Trafford Hall, Chester in Cheshire

Trafford Hall Chester is a beautiful 270-year-old building set in 14 acres of land, near Mickle Trafford, Chester. Volunteering at Trafford Hall holds a brilliant opportunity to support two charities at once; NCRC (National Communities Resource Centre) who are part of the group that owns the building and the YHA (Youth Hostel Association) who manage the site on a day-to-day basis.

 

Opportunities are available throughout the year and can vary according to the season. Both charities are extremely grateful for any support! Tools will be provided. Volunteers are asked to bring packed lunches (microwaves and fridges are available) but tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.

 

The current options are as follows:

 

When:                          Throughout the year

Suitable for:                 All types of volunteers (individuals, pairs & larger groups)

Type of activity:           Clearing small branches from the tree-lined drive massively helps for when the driveway is mown. The sticks also provide a fantastic source of kindling for campfires and children’s fire lighting activities, when on residentials.

Leaf clearance. There are countless trees across the site and leaf drop is therefore common. Clearing this helps to make the site look neater and more appealing. The leaves can then be composted, for use in the formal garden areas. 

 

When:                          Throughout the year

Suitable for:                 All types of volunteers (individuals, pairs & larger groups)

Type of activity:           General weeding and maintenance of the kitchen and sunken gardens and surrounding areas.

These areas, situated in the middle of the main residential area, grow so fast! With no employed gardener, we rely on volunteers to keep these areas looking great throughout the year.

Willow arch project

When:                          Ideally Spring – Summer but throughout the year too

Suitable for:                 Larger groups

Type of activity:           A beautiful willow arch project was created years ago during a families’ residential programme. Sadly, it’s grown rather wild and we’re looking for help to manage the new growth and train it back into its former glory. We’re looking for a group (or two, or three!) of volunteers ideally with some knowledge of willows and weaving - or those willing to give it a go - to prune and weave any of the wispy branches into the arches before the remainder are lopped. There are inner arches within the circle that need to be managed too.