Signpost Maintenance Volunteer

Purpose of the role

From cast iron signs dating back to the 1880s to the modern aluminium and wooden styles, ScotWays has over 3000 signs on paths throughout Scotland. Signs occasionally go missing, suffer damage, or simply wear out and need attention. It is important that our signs are in good condition and are easy to read. Your role is to undertake basic maintenance and help install or replace ScotWays signs.

The activities that you may be involved in include:

• Visiting roadside and off-road signs, some of which may be in remote areas.
• Cleaning, repairing, replacing or installing new signs.
• Digging holes for installation and replacement of signposts: these are normally 750mm deep and 200-300mm wide.
• Sourcing and transporting materials to each worksite.
• Working alone or with other volunteers.
• Assessing and managing risks during each task.
• Taking photos and reporting the results of your maintenance work.

You will need:

• A desire to improve outdoor access.
• The fitness to undertake signpost repairs.
• Clothing and footwear suitable for practical outdoor work.
• A willingness to learn.
• The ability to work alone and with other volunteers in a safe and structured way.
• Knowledge of the safe use of basic hand tools.
• For many tasks, a car or van, a driving licence and suitable vehicle insurance.

We will provide:

• Training in maintaining signposts. The training may be via written materials or in person.
• A choice of signpost repair tasks.
• The loan of any tools and safety equipment needed for the tasks we ask you to do.
• ScotWays insurance cover for the work asked of you.
• Reimbursement of agreed expenses.
• The chance to make a difference to outdoor access in your local area and further afield.
• The chance to work with other volunteers.

If you have some spare time and you’d like to help ScotWays with this role, please get in touch with Neil Birch, the Access Officer responsible for volunteering. He will arrange a chat with you and discuss how volunteering for ScotWays works.

Corporate Volunteering

We warmly welcome volunteers released from work for occasional volunteer days, like the ‘Day to Make a Difference’ initiative, however, we can only accommodate a maximum of three volunteers at a time. We regret that we are unable to provide larger team volunteering activities.