Young Blue Influencers Leading Environmental Change Across Greater Manchester:

Mersey Rivers Trust supporting a new initiative for young people funded by the Ernest Cook Trust and #iwill Fund

An ambitious initiative to improve the local river (“blue”) environment will be propelled by young people in Greater Manchester and Merseyside. The “Blue Influencers Scheme” will provide mentoring and funding for locals, aged 10 to 14, to become “Blue Influencers”.

The Mersey Rivers Trust is celebrating its selection as one of 22 charities to receive significant funding through this initiative, which aims to ignite a wave of youth-led environmental projects across the region. This includes the appointment of a Blue Mentor tasked with recruiting and supporting passionate young people to drive change in their community and local environment.

Ed Ikin, Chief Executive of The Ernest Cook Trust, said:

“Young people are often the most passionate about the environment and are very aware of the issues we face with climate change. The Blue Influencers Scheme will give them the funding, platform and tools they need to make positive changes to benefit their entire community.

“We were pleased to select the Mersey Rivers Trust to join the Blue Influencers Scheme and are excited to see just what the young people come up with.”

The national £2.25 million, three-year Blue Influencers Scheme, launched and match-funded by The Ernest Cook Trust in partnership with the #iwill Fund, focuses on empowering young people in coastal, estuary, and riverside areas to address environmental and climate challenges. Its ambition is to engage more than 4,000 young people as Blue Influencers, as well as over 15,000 community members across England.

The initiative builds on the success of the Green Influencers Scheme, shifting its focus to water-based environments while also aiming to enhance young people's personal, social and employability skills.

Luke Swann from the Mersey Rivers Trust spoke of the scheme's importance:

"Allowing young people to protect the environment on their own terms is essential. Being less conditioned by our unsustainable past and benefitting more from a sustainable future, they are best suited to drive change today. I can't wait to see the impact they will have once their environmental ideas and ambitions come into fruition."

If you work with young people aged 10 – 14 in Greater Manchester and would be interested in getting involved in this project, please get in touch with Luke Swann, Blue Mentor and Project Manager at Mersey Rivers Trust:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    Phone: 07923 359 566

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We are looking to recruit a Project Assistant to support our NFM Programme Manager to develop MRT’s new Alt Catchment NFM Project, and assist MRT Project Managers to deliver ongoing projects. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience working in the environmental sector. No project management or surveying experience is required as all necessary training will be provided. Tasks will include hydrological and water quality monitoring of Natural Flood Management (NFM) measures; monitoring peat water levels; engaging with farmers and other stakeholders; assisting with ecology surveys including Water Voles, Bats and Birds; and helping to run community engagement events.

The role is initially offered until October 2024, but with the hope of extension (dependent on successful bid submission and funding)

Full job description and details of how to apply below...

 

Project Assistant

Merseyside

   £23,400 pa

Paid • Full Time • Fixed Term Contract

Closing date: Wednesday, 1st May 2024  


Job title: Project Assistant
Location: Merseyside
Salary: £23,400 per year (plus £20/month phone allowance)
Closes: Wednesday 1st May 2024
Position: Project Assistant
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility required (some evening & weekend work)

Background

The Mersey Rivers Trust (MRT) is an environmental charity focussing on the protection and enhancement of rivers and waterbodies in the Mersey Catchment. It operates in an area covering Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. The Trust works with partners, local communities and volunteers to deliver a wide range of projects including river restoration, reduction of flood risk by Natural Flood Management techniques, river monitoring, volunteer events (eg river clean-ups/invasive species control and citizen science), community engagement and education events, farm advice/plans and biodiversity net gain.

This is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience working in the environmental sector.

The successful candidate will support our NFM Programme Manager to develop MRT’s new Alt Catchment NFM Project, and assist MRT Project Managers to deliver ongoing projects.

The role is initially offered until October 2024, but with the hope of extension (dependent on successful bid submission and funding).

Main duties

  • Assist the NFM Programme Manager with the monitoring requirements of the Alt Catchment NFM programme e.g. water quality analysis, river MoRPh surveys, collection of water flow and depth data etc – average of 2 days per week but likely to be more some weeks than others.
  • Assist the Merseyside Project Managers in their day-to-day tasks – average of 3 days per week 
    • Peat project – sampling of peat water levels (training provided), engagement with farmers
    • Species survival project – assist with ecology surveys
    • Alt Meadows – assist with Water Vole survey and electrofishing
    • NFM projects – assist with walkovers, community engagement work etc.
  • Assist other MRT Project Managers if required, and when workload allows

Key skills/experience:

  • Scientific background preferable
  • An interest in the environment and/or ecology
  • Ability to engage with stakeholders, including farmers and the wider community
  • Have a full driving licence and access to a car insured for business purposes
  • Self-motivated and able to work effectively from home
  • Ability to work flexibly, including some early mornings, some evenings and some weekends/bank holidays – ecology surveys will be at unsociable hours
  • Ideally Merseyside-based to reduce mileage and therefore carbon footprint

Please note that whilst beneficial, no project management or surveying experience is required – as all necessary training will be provided.

To apply: 

If you wish to apply, please send a CV (no more than two sides of A4) and covering letter (no more than two sides of A4), outlining how you meet the requirements of the person specification and job description and why you want to work for the Trust. Please email your application to the Merseyside Senior Project Manager, Andy Martin (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Applications must be received by email no later than the end of Wednesday 1st May 2024.

Interviews will be held in early May either via Zoom or face-to-face depending on circumstances.

If you would like more information about the role before submitting an application, you may contact Andy Martin 07786992444 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Rebecca Howard 07811207893 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

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Twenty conservation projects are to benefit from the government’s Species Survival Fund announced late last week, which includes Mersey Rivers Trust, who will receive a grant of over £80,000 for work to support restoration of habitats in the Bollin Valley to allow our most vulnerable species to thrive.

The £25 million fund aims to enable the restoration of over 3,300 hectares of critical habitats. Wildlife charities, farmers, and community groups will all recieve grants for their projects. Each will accelerate nature recovery and support precious species.

The 'Freshwater Renaissance' project on the Bollin is a collaboration with Mersey Rivers Trust and the National Trust Riverlands Team who have been successful in securing a 2-year, £4 million programme of work through the Species Survival Fund. The programme of work will be delivered across multiple river catchments at five National Trust places: Cumbria, the Bollin catchment, the Bure catchment, Holnicote and North Devon, and we are very excited to be working with the National Trust on the restoration of habitats on the Bollin. 

The programme aims to restore and link up freshwater habitats including small and often undervalued headwater streams, ponds, flushes and ditches; boosting biodiversity and increasing resilience in the landscape to the threat of climate change. Much of the work is based on low-tech nature-based solutions which reduce long term maintenance costs and lend themselves to opportunities for local communities to get involved with action on the ground and  building skills and capability to look after these special habitats and species in the long term.  Work on the Bollin will focus on the management of flushes, creating wetlands, scrapes and ponds as well as restoring areas of riverbank, re-connecting tributaries to thier floodplain and planting riparian trees.  This will happen at various sites along the Bollin valley managed by the Bollin Valley Partnership, whom we are also really looking forwards to working closely with.

Watch this space as the project develops and we start to dig some scrapes and plant trees as there will be opportunities for many people to get involved through bioblitz days, guided walks, childrens activities, school workshops and working parties.

The programme is funded by the Government's Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency. Freshwater Renaissance is also supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

 

We are recruiting! Mersey Rivers Trust is excited to have received funding from the Environment Agency to recruit a Project Manager to develop and deliver a series of Natural Flood Management (NFM) projects in Merseyside. The projects form part of a large £2.1m programme of NFM measures across the whole River Alt catchment, working in partnership with local authorities, MEAS, Merseyside Biobank and universities.

The role will suit an experienced and self-motivated individual with skills in project management and finance. The ideal candidate will have a background in project management with some experience of planning and developing environmental water-based projects.

The programme of projects are split into two phases, planning and development followed by implementation. The role holder will take responsibility for the initial planning and development of several projects including project planning, preparing landowner agreements, applying for permits and permissions and working with the Senior Project Manager to develop tender documentation. As the project moves into the implementation phase the project manager will oversee the delivery of projects including monitoring of on the ground delivery, contractor performance and compliance with methodologies and project plans. There may also be the opportunity to directly deliver projects with other MRT staff.

The role will include communication and reporting to external parties and other MRT staff including the Senior Project Manager and Programme Manager.

The post holder will be home-based and will need to travel throughout the Merseyside area and occasionally elsewhere in the Mersey River Basin as required. Valid driving licence and own vehicle, insured for business use is essential.

Full job description and details of how to apply below...

 

Project Manager

 

 

Mersey Rivers Trust

 Merseyside
 £26,300 pa

Closing date: Tuesday, 30th April 2024  


Job title: Project Manager 

Location: Merseyside

Salary: £26,300 per year

Closes: Tuesday 30th April 2024

Position: Project Manager

Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility required (some evening & weekend work)

Background

The Mersey Rivers Trust (MRT) is an environmental charity focussing on the protection and enhancement of rivers and waterbodies in the Mersey Catchment. It operates in an area covering Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. The Trust works with partners, local communities and volunteers to deliver a wide range of projects including river restoration, reduction of flood risk by Natural Flood Management techniques, river monitoring, volunteer events (eg river clean-ups/invasive species control and citizen science), community engagement and education events, farm advice/plans and biodiversity net gain.

Due to an internal promotion, we now have a vacancy for a project manager to joint our Merseyside team to develop and deliver a suite of Natural Flood Management projects. The programme of projects are split into two phases, planning and development followed by implementation.

The role will suit an experienced and self-motivated individual with skills in project management and finance. The ideal candidate will have a background in project management with some experience of planning and developing environmental water-based projects.

Role Overview

The role holder will take responsibility for the initial planning and development of several projects including project planning, preparing landowner agreements, applying for permits and permissions and working with the Senior Project Manager to develop tender documentation. As the project moves into the implementation phase the project manager will oversee the delivery of projects including monitoring of on the ground delivery, contractor performance and compliance with methodologies and project plans. There may also be the opportunity to directly deliver projects with other MRT staff.

The role will include communication and reporting to external parties and other MRT staff including the Senior Project Manager and Programme Manager.

The post holder will be home-based and will need to travel throughout the Mersey Basin catchment.

Key Duties:

The main duties of the role will be to support Mersey Rivers Trust staff in the delivery of its portfolio of projects and engagement activities in Mersey Catchment including the management of specific projects.

The role holder will be supervised by a Senior Project Manager but will be expected to take ownership and lead specific tasks following appropriate training/competence development.

Specific duties will include: 

  • Manage a range of environmental projects, ensuring milestones are met, budgets are adhered to, and successful delivery is achieved.
  • Identifying the consents and permits required for projects and ensure these are obtained so work can commence as planned e.g flood risk, planning permission, landowner permissions.
  • To support the Senior Project Manager in project management and reporting activities, including financial reporting, preparation of funding claims as well as management of contractors.
  • Review of all H&S requirements for projects and lead by example in prioritising H&S and wellbeing.
  • To help promote project messages to the public through presentations, displays, events, social media and general publicity.
  • To assist in the development of monitoring and evaluation systems and to document, monitor and evaluate all projects in line with funding requirements.
  • To attend regular internal and external meetings as required.
  • To work in a flexible manner and to undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time, which are commensurate with the grade of the job.
  • To travel throughout the Merseyside area and occasionally elsewhere in the Mersey River Basin as required.
  • To carry out all of the above duties with full regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunities, Non-Discrimination, Safeguarding, Environmental, Health and Safety policies.

Candidate Profile

  • Degree or other relevant qualification
  • Valid driving licence and own vehicle, insured for business use is essential.
  • Competent and confident in the use of email, Excel and Word. Experience in GIS and Powerpoint would be desirable, along with social media (Facebook, Twitter).
  • Experience of successful environmental project delivery working as part of a team, ideally in the river environment and/or in catchment management.
  • Experience in working with contractors and volunteers is desirable.
  • Self-motivated and able to work effectively from home without supervision and to a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work flexibly, including some early mornings, some evenings and some weekends/bank holidays.
  • Ability to prioritise and plan activities to meet strict deadlines.
  • Reliability, good attendance and work performance.
  • Strong team working skills and able to work collaboratively with partners, contractors, volunteers and community groups.
  • Good organisational / admin skills and attention to detail –

General Notes

  • Travel around the Mersey Catchment will be necessary and therefore a current driving licence and access to an appropriately insured vehicle is essential.
  • This position will from time to time require work during some evenings, weekends and public holidays. A time-off in lieu system is operated by the Trust.

To apply: 

If you wish to apply, please send a CV (no more than two sides of A4) and covering letter (no more than two sides of A4), outlining how you meet the requirements of the person specification and job description and why you want to work for the Trust. Please email your application to the Operations Director of the Mersey Rivers Trust, Paul Henbrey (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Applications must be received by email no later than the end of Tuesday 30th April 2024

Interviews will be held in early May either via Zoom or face-to-face depending on circumstances.

If you would like more information about the role before submitting an application, you may contact Paul Henbrey 07747 446103 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or John Sanders 07821 117396 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

 

Alt Catchment NFM bid success!!

We are thrilled to announce that our £2.1m bid to the Environment Agency’s Natural Flood Management programme has been successful!! The Alt Catchment NFM Project will implement a variety of NFM measures throughout the whole of the catchment, from leaky dams in Huyton to sand dune management at Hightown. The project, made possible through the Alt Crossens Catchment Partnership, will bring together a wide range of partners including local authorities, NGOs, universities and the local record centre to work together to achieve multiple benefits at a catchment-scale.

Host for the Catchment Partnership Andy Martin shared the news with partners, saying “The successful bid is the result of fantastic collaboration between a range of stakeholder partners from across the Catchment. The multiple NFM projects included in the bid will reduce flood risk, create and improve wildlife habitats, improve water quality, provide valuable learning and promote even closer working between project partners.”

The project will run until 2027, with an initial development phase followed by delivery, subject to business case approval. Find out more about the NFM Programme and the other successful applicants and schemes: 40 projects to benefit from £25 million funding for natural flood management - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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