Coronavirus COVID-19 Update

This is our update about novel coronavirus, now called COVID-19, and the implications for our Foresters’ Forest programme and specifically our volunteer activity.

You will have seen the UK Government has announced new measures around COVID-19 and has advised against all non-essential travel, particularly public transport, and for everyone to follow ‘social distancing’ measures.

Forestry England has taken the decision to suspend all of its volunteer activity, including activity that it supports under partnership projects.  Naturally this affects our Foresters’ Forest projects, so please do not attend your volunteer activity or events from now until further notice.

We will let you know when our activities and events are able to resume.

We recognise that this is a difficult and unsettling time for you, your families and our communities, and suspending your volunteering activity will be upsetting. We know how much you love volunteering and how dedicated you are! You can still walk in the woods, which will be good for you, as always, provided that you follow the latest Government advice linked below.  

Although our message is that there is no organised volunteering activity, we know that some of you will still be out in the Forest, e.g. recording wildlife, because you enjoy it.  If you do this, we just need to state that you won’t be covered by insurance and that you should still be following the latest Government guidelines.  Specifically, it is important that you do not go out if you are in a vulnerable, high risk category (e.g. aged over 70). If you do go out, please ensure that you keep at least 2 metres  (6 feet) away from anyone that you meet. 

We also suggest you keep up to date with Forestry England’s latest advice and guidance about visiting their Forests and sites: https://www.forestryengland.uk/coronavirus-visitor-information?fbclid=IwAR0Lg77i7asoLUoqHzAvKYfZailXRlqlkfgMSCzHmYOT_i3UtVawr_Ifb2c

We always like hearing from you, so keep following our social media, share your photos and send us emails; we have a general email address you can use too: info@forestersforest.uk   

Finally, as guidance is changing daily, it is important to check these sources of information to follow the Government and NHS guidelines on COVID-19 listed here:

GOV.UK: Coronavirus: latest information and advice: from Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England. Updated daily: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

NHS guidance on coronavirus & FAQs on Coronavirus: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/