Projects - P
Profiling the AONB
The project will employ a part-time Volunteer Coordinator to recruit and train volunteers to deliver state of the environment surveys within the North Devon AONB. The project will provide information to monitor landscape change and the impact of daily life and of visitors on the area. In addition to increasing the skills of those that participate, it will add to the fund of academic information of the area as well as helping to guide land managers and tourism providers in future developments.
Project Self-Build
A particular problem that has become apparent since the completion of the Heritage Skills Project is the difficulty that some young people can face in obtaining worthwhile full-time employment, based solely on the area that they live in or the 'reputation' of their family. This new project will provide an opportunity for young people (aged 16 - 25) as a 'trainee' and will allow them to create a demonstrable track record in the workplace along with a potential reference for job applications.
There is a growing interest in sustainable construction methods in North Devon, and this project will be based around straw bale construction and sustainable housing techniques. There are a number of reasons for choosing this particular construction method, but one of the key issues is cost. Straw bale buildings are very low-cost compared to other materials, yet many of the principles of construction are similar to more 'conventional' methods. The ultimate aim of the training is to encourage young people into further education, modern apprenticeships or full-time employment.
