"This has been an amazing experience! Work was manageable and the focalisers were very warm, friendly and accommodating. The food and accommodation on offer was great and exceeded expectations.”
Siobhàn, Glasgow

Practicalities

Participants

Work Week participants must be 18 or over. You must be fit enough to undertake the practical work, including being able to walk over uneven ground, on a daily basis.

If you have any medical condition that may affect your ability to participate in the Work Week, or specific dietary requirements, you must tell us on the booking form. We may need to contact you to discuss this.

Sorry but we cannot allow dogs on work weeks.

How to book

Please read the booking terms and conditions on the "Dates & booking" page before completing your booking. If you have a debit or credit card you can book online or you can phone us on 0845 458 3505. If you’re booking close to the work week date, including booking online, please phone us to check that there are places available. Full payment must accompany your booking. We will send you a confirmation letter or email.
Please await confirmation of your booking before making any travel or holiday arrangements.

Travel

The rendezvous point is the seating area on the concourse of Inverness railway station at 12 noon on the Saturday start date of your week. You'll need to make your own travel arrangements to get there, which may mean travelling to Inverness on the Friday and organising your own accommodation for that night.

The work weeks take place some distance from Inverness, so it's not possible to return and pick volunteers up later. Similarly, it isn't possible to drive back to Inverness before the final Saturday. Please commit to the whole week.

For accommodation and local travel information look online (e.g. here) or contact Inverness tourist office (01463 234353). The Bazpackers Hostel (01463 717663) in Inverness gives a £1 per night discount to TFL volunteers. We return to Inverness railway station midmorning on the following Saturday.
You must inform the focalisers if you have early travel arrangements.

If you are running late on the morning of your Work Week call us on 0845 4583505 before 9.30 a.m. or one of these numbers: 07884 157238, 07884 127892 or 07788 486968 after 9.45 a.m. Remember; as there are only ten places available on each week it is very important that we are notified of any cancellation or change in your booking, as we may be able to fill your place.

Insurance

Volunteers are covered for public liability and limited personal accident cover. Our insurance does not cover your personal belongings nor cover your free time activities.

Cancellations

Cancellations or transfers made 6 weeks or more before the Work Week start date will receive a full refund minus a £10 administration charge. Cancellations or transfers made between 6 and 4 weeks before the Work Week start date will receive a 50% refund minus a £10 administration charge. Transfers or refunds cannot usually be given for any cancellations made within 4 weeks of the Work Week start date.

The cost

It costs Trees for Life over £3,000 to run each week! Our fund-raising covers most of the costs but the contributions that volunteers make are vital. We have a sliding scale fee structure (see booking form) in an attempt to make these weeks available to everyone. If you're able to pay more, we'd be very grateful. There is also an option of paying the full cost of an unsibsidised place on a week, which is £300.

What to bring with you

• Warm sleeping bag (necessary if bedding is not provided, check accommodation details before packing)
• Wellies and walking boots
• Two sets of warm working clothes (cold weather is likely)
• Warm hat and sun hat.
• Rain gear (including waterproof trousers + jacket)
• A warm change of clothes for evenings
• Midge repellent, especially during May, June and September *
• Day pack (small rucksack)
• Vacuum flask
• Sandwich box for packed lunches
• Container for drinking water
• Torch
• Gaiters *
• Towel, soap, toothbrush etc
• Hot water bottle *
• A camera *
• Extra snacks, such as chocolate, crisps, fruit bars etc *

* These items are optional

REMEMBER:

• If you have any medical conditions, mental health issues or are taking medication we need to know. Details are held in the strictest confidence. Please fill out the relevant section on the booking form. The vast majority of people can be accommodated, but we need to be made aware beforehand.
• Though every effort is made to describe the details of each week accurately in these pages, it is occasionally necessary for TFL to make changes at short notice to the work and accommodation.