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Linking our Landscape

This exciting new initiative, funded by the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, brings together all the expertise of the National Hedgelaying Society and the Dry Stone Walling Association to form a Rural Skills Hub, offering a central point for advice, support, funded training, and signposting to further information on traditional boundaries.

Training
opportunities

Looking for a career with a difference?
Want to work in the countryside?
Want to broaden your skill set?
Why not combine dry stone walling and hedgelaying into a full time, year round career.

We can help with funded training for young people

Advice &
Signposting

One stop shop for advice on training and careers in traditional boundary skills
Access to Educational Resources for schools and colleges
Environmental benefits of traditional boundaries
Signposting to more information about traditional boundaries
Links to where to find a contractor

Community
events

We are keen for everyone to enjoy the wellbeing benefits of countryside activities so we are offering free Experience Days to Community organisations for people to learn more about traditional boundary skills.

Join us on social media

Keep up-to-date with the latest Rural Skills Hub news and events.

Another successful Experience Day! @dswa_gb Northu

Another successful Experience Day! @dswa_gb Northumbria Branch showed trainees from the Whittonstall village community how to repair a damaged dry stone wall. The group hope to put their new skills to good use in future, restoring walls around the village.

#ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #wall #workingoutside #community #communitygroups #outdooractivities #outdoorlearning #wellbeing #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet @heritagefunduk @defrauk

Yesterday @dswa_gb Otley and Yorkshire Dales branc

Yesterday @dswa_gb Otley and Yorkshire Dales branch hosted an Experience Day for @parkinsonsuk Leeds Branch. Cracking day, beautiful wall, and check out that view from the top of the Chevin 😮

#ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #workingoutside #community #communitygroups #outdooractivities #outdoorlearning #wellbeing #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet @heritagefunduk @defrauk

Lovely day for a spot of walling! Good to catch up

Lovely day for a spot of walling! Good to catch up with training grant recipient Jen yesterday, midway through the qualification course at @dswa_gb HQ ⚒️

@heritagefunduk @defrauk #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #qualifications #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #drystonewalls #drystonewallingassociation #wall #traininggrant #workingoutside #TogetherForOurPlanet

We have been hunting for hedgerow minibeasts with

We have been hunting for hedgerow minibeasts with school groups from Lancashire and Cumbria. Hedges are so important for invertebrates, and we found lots of variety including caterpillars, beetles, and the wonderfully-named cucumber spider (Araniella cucurbitina)

#ruralskillshub #ruralskills #learning #outdoorlearning #outdooractivities #activitiesforkids #learningaboutnature #minibeast #minibeasts #minibeasthunt #insect #invertebrate #hedge #hedgerow #ecology #ecosystem #biodiversity #nature #caterpillar #caterpillars #spider #cucumberspider #araniellacucurbitina #greenrecoverychallengefund #togetherforourplanet

A couple of weeks ago @dswa_gb 's Northumbria Bran

A couple of weeks ago @dswa_gb 's Northumbria Branch hosted a dry stone walling taster session for a community group from Satley. The group did an excellent job of repairing a damaged wall in the village! More information about our Experience Days can be found on our website (link in bio).

Thanks to Paul Foster for the photos.

#ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #workingoutside #community #communitygroups #outdooractivities #outdoorlearning #wellbeing #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet

Hi everyone! A quick note to say I'm taking a coup

Hi everyone! A quick note to say I'm taking a couple of weeks off, so this account won't be monitored until June. See you all soon 😊 Carrie (Rural Skills Hub Co-ordinator)

Photo by S'well on Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/oj0zeY2Ltk4

Applications are now open for our work placement s

Applications are now open for our work placement scheme! We have five opportunities available for young people in England, supported by the #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund. These paid placements have been specifically created to help kickstart a long-term career in dry stone walling and hedgelaying. Visit our website for more information and application forms: ruralskillshub.org.uk/training-funding/ (link in bio) 👷‍♀️🌱⚒

@dswa_gb @national_hedgelaying_society @heritagefunduk @defrauk

#ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #qualifications #employability #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #drystonewalls #hedgelaying #hedge #hedgerow #hedgerowmanagement #placement #workplacement #workexperience #youngpeople #youngpeoplematter #workingoutside #TogetherForOurPlanet

Earlier this year we awarded 22 training grants to

Earlier this year we awarded 22 training grants to young people across England, to help them obtain dry stone walling and hedgelaying qualifications. Grant recipient Ben has enjoyed his Level 1 dry stone walling course this week at @dswa_gb headquarters!

Thanks to the #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund 😊

@heritagefunduk @defrauk #ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #qualifications #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #drystonewalls #drystonewallingassociation #wall #traininggrant #workingoutside #TogetherForOurPlanet

Last week I visited the DSWA's display wall at the

Last week I visited the DSWA's display wall at their office in Crooklands. Loved seeing all the different styles from around the country! Which is your favourite - A, B, C, D or E? (Bonus points if you know which region it comes from) - Carrie

#ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #drystonewalls #drystonewallsofinstagram #drystonewallingassociation #wall #stone #outdoorlearning #heritage #localheritage #localhistory #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet @dswa_gb

If you're starting a career in hedgerow management

If you're starting a career in hedgerow management, check out @thetreecouncil's brilliant new podcast, Life on the Hedge! 🎧 This six-part series explores the magic of hedgerows and the growing abundance of green jobs available to young people in the UK.
In each episode, you can hear from an incredible young person at the beginning of a blossoming career in nature and learn how they got started in the sector. Find out what it’s really like to plant trees, cultivate native species, lay hedges, work with farmers and volunteers, and discover the wildlife that depends upon our hedges 🌿
Search for Life on the Hedge where you get your podcasts, or head to their page for a link.

#LifeOnTheHedge #HedgerowHeroes #TheTreeCouncil #TreeCouncil #CloseTheGap
#GreenJobs #NatureJobs #JobsInNature #OutdoorJobs #EnvironmentJobs #GreenFuture
#ClimateChange #Hedgerows #Hedgelaying #RuralSkills #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund

Are you a member of a #communitygroup who would li

Are you a member of a #communitygroup who would like to try their hand at dry stone walling or hedgelaying? We want to share our knowledge of rural skills, and spread the word about the wellbeing benefits of countryside activities. So we're giving away a limited number of FREE experience days to community groups in England, between now and March 2023. Get in touch to find out more, or download a fact sheet from our website (link in bio).

#ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #workingoutside #community #communitygroups #outdooractivities #outdoorlearning #wellbeing #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet

I put my money where my mouth is yesterday, and at

I put my money where my mouth is yesterday, and attended a beginner's hedgelaying course. Such a wonderful day and we even saw some sunshine! Thank you to @pendlehilllp and instructors Dave Padley and Andrew Kirkwood for showing us the ropes.

- Carrie (Rural Skills Hub Coordinator)

#ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #trainingday #skills #traditionalskills #hedgelaying #hedge #hedgerow #hedgerowmanagement #hedgerowmaintenance #togetherforourplanet #pendlehilllp

📣 TRAINING GRANT APPLICATIONS CLOSING SOON! 📣

We have received a lot of interest in our training grant since the virtual event on January 20th. We will therefore be putting a pause on applications from Monday 7th February, so that we can complete a review of those we have received so far. Applications will reopen in March if there are any grants remaining after this review.

If you are aged 16-40 and would benefit from a £500 grant to start you on a rural career path, please download an application form from our website (link in bio, then go to Training & Funding) and submit before 9am on Monday 7th February. Rural Skills Hub training grants can be put towards Level 1 (Initial / Bronze) certificates in dry stone walling and hedgelaying.

@dswa_gb @national_hedgelaying_society #ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #qualifications #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #traininggrant #workingoutside #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet

VIRTUAL EVENT! 💻 Join us over on Facebook and T

VIRTUAL EVENT! 💻 Join us over on Facebook and Twitter on Thursday 20th January to learn more about our services. You can find us by searching for RuralSkillsHub.

Our Co-ordinator, Carrie, will be online from 11am-3pm to tell you about our training grants, placements and experience days, and answer any questions you might have about the Hub.

@dswa_gb @national_hedgelaying_society @heritagefunduk @defrauk #ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #qualifications #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #traininggrant #placement #workingoutside #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all o

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all of our friends and followers 🎄

We're taking a break over the festive season - the Rural Skills Hub office will be closed from 5pm Wednesday 22nd December until 9am Tuesday 4th January. We're looking forward to next year though... bring on 2022! 🎉

#ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #qualifications #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #traininggrant #workingoutside #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that w

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that when our website went live, our Training Grants did too 👀

We are offering 20 grants of £500 each to young people (aged 16-40) who are serious about starting a career in dry stone walling and/or hedgelaying, but don't already hold qualifications or accreditation. Grants can be put towards training and accreditation to "initial" level in either craft, via @dswa_gb and the @national_hedgelaying_society. More information and application forms can be found on our website (link in bio, then click on Training & Funding).

@heritagefunduk @defrauk #ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #training #qualifications #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #traininggrant #workingoutside #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet

ANNOUNCEMENT 🎉 Our website is now live! 🎉 C

ANNOUNCEMENT 🎉 Our website is now live! 🎉

Check out the link in our bio. Here you can learn more about the Rural Skills Hub, our plans, our partners, and the support available for starting a career in dry stone walling and hedgelaying.

@dswa_gb @national_hedgelaying_society @heritagefunduk @defrauk #ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #traininggrant #workplacement #newwebsite #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet

📢 Announcement coming on Monday! 📢 We have

📢 Announcement coming on Monday! 📢

We have some news to share with you very soon. Stayed tuned... (and enjoy this wall until then)

#ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #traininggrant #workplacement #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet

**Meet the partners!** The Rural Skills Hub is a

**Meet the partners!**

The Rural Skills Hub is a joint project between the Dry Stone Walling Association and the National Hedgelaying Society, supported by the Government's Green Recovery Challenge Fund. We have teamed up to provide advice, guidance and financial support for people who want to start a career in dry stone walling or hedgelaying. We're still busy behind the scenes getting ready to launch our work placements, training grants, experience days and resource library 😃 so why not check out the partners in the meantime?

The main aims of @dswa_gb are to promote a greater understanding and knowledge about the traditional craft of dry stone walling, and to encourage the repair and maintenance of dry stone walls throughout the country. The @national_hedgelaying_society is the only charity dedicated to maintaining the traditional skills of hedgelaying and encouraging the sympathetic management of hedgerows for wildlife and landscape. Head on over to their pages to find out more about each craft, explore training courses and events, or find a local contractor.

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund was developed by @defrauk and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by @heritagefunduk in partnership with Natural England, the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission.

#ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #traininggrant #workplacement #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet

Did you know that the UK has over 300,000 miles of

Did you know that the UK has over 300,000 miles of hedgerows, and 120,000 miles of dry stone walls? Our hedges and walls define the landscape, and provide important habitat for a range of species including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, lichens and mosses. Learning how to keep these features in good condition serves an important ecological purpose, as well as a practical one.

#didyouknow #factoftheday #ruralskillshub #ruralskills #ruralcareers #learning #countrysidecareers #countrysidejobs #environmentalcareers #environmentaljobs #skills #traditionalskills #drystonewalling #drystonewall #hedgelaying #wall #hedge #hedgerow #ecology #traininggrant #workplacement #GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet @defrauk @heritagefunduk

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