Find out how to volunteer in Chiselborough and give a little of your time to help others and to build a stronger community.

Volunteering can make a real difference to your own life and to the village. There are many ways to get involved. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. It strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, connecting you to people with common interests, village resources, and fun and fulfilling activities. The more residents who participate, the less the load, the better the solutions and the faster the tasks. See below for current opportunities.

Chiselborough - opportunities to lend a hand

Chiselborough Common

It may appear as if the Common looks after itself but behind that natural look is a team of volunteers carrying out all manner of jobs. Regular working parties are organised throughout the year to keep grass, trees and hedges under control. We have volunteers who help look after the trees, dig up unwanted saplings, bash bracken, get rid of nettles, do scything sessions, cut paths round the benches and picnic tables, make dormouse and bird boxes and plant trees.

Update February 2024: It has been decided to hold regular working parties on the common on the last Saturday of the month.  To keep interested parties in the picture we are setting up a WhatsApp Group.  If anyone would like to be included could they text me their details to 07815 569815 —Jen Buckmaster

Could you support a child in care in Somerset?

Route1 Advocacy are in need of new volunteers. More volunteers are needed to help children in care and act as a significant someone in their lives. For many children in care, everyone who features in their day-to-day lives is part of the care system. Somerset County Council’s Route1 Advocacy service is seeking Advocates and Independent Visitors in both short and long term roles to spend quality time with them and transform their lives. Read all about this opportunity here.

Village Hall

Chiselborough Village Hall was built in 1870 for the village school. It is an outstanding example of rural Victorian architecture, and now is valued as a much-used and excellent amenity for our village. It is run by a Village Hall committee, who would welcome new committee members willing to give just a little time and imagination to supporting this fine building. It’s a very modest time commitment, it’s a great chance to play a part in invigorating our community, and your input will be greatly appreciated. If you might like to get involved, simply contact Kate Hodge on 881498.

Norton Shop

Norton Shop is a much-valued and hugely useful resource. Read more here. Support the shop by volunteering to do a shift or to deliver supplies to people who are self-isolating. Contact the shop or our local CLT rep, Brian Wickins.

This website

This website for Chiselborough was created in 2021 by voluntary help from within our village. Around 40 residents helped with text contributions, articles, information, images and help with delivering survey leaflets. If you’d like to write an article for Chiselborough Chronicles, or supply any written features or photos, please get in touch. I have particular need for volunteers with some experience of editing, writing or IT. It can be as little or as much as you wish. Even an hour a month is greatly appreciated, maybe to check links on this site are working well, or to type up a paper text to digital.

So if you’d like to participate in keeping your village website accurate, up-to-date, and refreshed with lively and relevant new content, please contact Sara Morley.

Volunteer Drivers Needed

Read more here about this opportunity to drive others to essential medical appointments.

Volunteer Visitors Needed

Somerset Sight is recruiting volunteers to befriend visually impaired people on a regular basis. Would you like to help someone in your local area? Join our team of volunteers, who help people to remain independent and overcome loneliness and isolation. Enjoy a free day out when taking your Service User out. All reasonable and out of pocket expenses are paid, and training is given. Somerset Sight currently have a number of visually impaired people in all areas who would welcome a volunteer visitor, but they are on a waiting list as they don’t have enough volunteers to match them with. For more information please contact Somerset Sight on: 01823 333818 or email admin@somersetsight.org.uk

Churchyard Mowing

A team of village volunteers keep our fine churchyard in good order by mowing the grass throughout the summer season. To join in, please contact Dick O’Neill on 881542.

Church Flowers

Flowers look beautiful in our Parish Church and a number of volunteers take their turn to arrange flowers a few times in every year. Also there is cleaning and brasses to be done. If you’d like to help out, you are welcome to contact Louise Holloway on 881791.

Bell Ringing

Chiselborough Church has some of the oldest bells in the county, and nationally. Read more about the bells here. All new bell ringers are very welcome, and training can be arranged. In non-COVID times practice nights are held every Tuesday. Contact the Tower Captain, Edward Venn on 881204.

Winter Events

We organise monthly informal get-togethers through the winter months, October to April. It’s a great chance to meet people and make new friends in the village, while raising funds for our Parish Church. Events have included Cider Tasting, February Valentines’ Tea Parties, New Years Drinks, Old Coins Clinic, Coffee Mornings, and Recipe and Book Swaps. Sara Morley has stepped back from fixing up these events so the organiser position is currently vacant—if you, or you & a friend, would like to take this forward please contact Louise Holloway on 881791 or Dick O’Neill on 881542.

To list an opportunity to volunteer in Chiselborough, contact the editor of this website, Sara