Building a Greener Future Together: Volunteer Power at the Patterdale Estate

This year, we’ve welcomed numerous volunteer groups to our site, fostering a spirit of environmental stewardship and community engagement. Over the past 12 months, more than 25 individuals have dedicated their time to various sustainability tasks on the estate, contributing significantly to its upkeep.

Recently, a fantastic team of 15 volunteers from the YMCA Housing Team spent two days clearing invasive rhododendron in Waterfall Wood. Managing these woodlands is crucial to maintain their health, ensuring continued grant support under our Countryside Stewardship commitments. Volunteer efforts are invaluable, allowing us to tackle large areas efficiently. We eagerly await hosting a group from Newcastle Building Society in April for similar land-based activities.

In February, a dedicated group of four regular volunteers spent a week with us, planting 200 whips to create a bird-friendly hedgerow alongside the newer Lakeview properties. This hedgerow will not only provide food for birds but also create a wildlife corridor for other species. Additionally, Cherry, Judith, Brian, and Vera cleared a significant area of rhododendron from the Peppercorn plantation, ensuring ample space for newly planted trees to flourish.

Local volunteer Ken McDonald and newcomer James Walburton have been instrumental in assisting with tree work on-site. Their chainsaw qualifications contribute to keeping our arboricultural service costs down. We’re also proud to support the local Mountain Rescue Team, who utilize our land for several rescue training exercises each year.

Extending our commitment to the YMCA community, we’ve offered YMCA North Tyneside staff the opportunity for low-cost holidays at the Patterdale Estate, a way of giving back to our dedicated team members. We’re actively seeking further opportunities to support local communities in the coming year, including the local primary school. Finally, we’ve collaborated with various departments across YMCA North Tyneside to raise funds through prize giveaways that included stays at Patterdale throughout the year.