The council is looking for young people aged 16-25 to take part in an environmental volunteering programme. Those taking part in the six-month Eco-Talent scheme can build skills, confidence and add qualifications to their CV, as well as making new friends along the way.

As a volunteer on the Eco-Talent programme, you would have the opportunity to play a key part in improving the environment in your community.

The programme includes training courses and a volunteering placement for two days a week in a service within the council. Volunteers also take part in social action projects, and team work activities.

Eco-Talent is recruiting again this summer. Volunteers who have graduated from the scheme have gone on to progress into council ‘pathways’ and apprenticeship programmes, or other employment.

‘It has helped me take steps towards reaching my goal’

Theresa Guodaa, 19 started in the Eco-Talent programme last October after taking a year out from university.

She said: “I am now studying law at university. My career goal is to become either a barrister or solicitor. Eco-Talent has helped me to take steps towards reaching my goal because it strengthened many key skills that I will need for the future such as leadership skills, teamwork, organisation and overall confidence.

“My work placement was in the environment and parks department and was based around admin tasks such as photocopying, scanning, and researching. What was great was that they incorporated the placement in an area in which I was studying; for example, researching legal issues around the environment and parks.

“My community project was about helping the homeless in the borough, and raising awareness. This involved researching homelessness and the causes, statistics, planning of our project, going out and raising awareness whilst including the eco benefits. It also involved a collection because our main goal was to collect items the public donated in order to give to the homeless shelters.

“I would recommend the Eco-Talent programme because you learn and expand on so many skills. For example, having been a volunteer at eco talent I had the opportunity to get a placement. I also undertook first aid training and environmental and sustainability training which can now go on my CV.”

Want to find out more?

If you are interested in finding out more visit the Eco-Talent page on the council’s website or contact Esmay Bear by email at ebear@ealing.gov.uk or call her on 07595 792 738.