Somer Valley Rediscovered Partnership seeks a volunteer chair

The search is on for a volunteer passionate about the environment to chair the Somer Valley Rediscovered Partnership and help develop its work to improve local green spaces and rivers and streams.

Somer Valley Rediscovered (SVR) aims to improve biodiversity while better connecting the Somer Valley communities to local natural spaces to improve people’s wellbeing. It was established in 2020 as a green infrastructure partnership project and now includes more than 15 partners including Bath & North East Somerset Council, Wessex Water, Natural England, University of Bath and Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.

Projects are focused on the River Cam and Wellow Brook Catchment areas, including the urban areas of Radstock, Midsomer Norton and Westfield, Peasedown St John and Paulton and the surrounding villages.

Over the next two years an evidence-led approach will help to identify priority partnership projects and unlock the investment required to deliver nature-based, climate resilient solutions to start tackling the climate and ecological emergencies at a local level.

Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, said: “We are hoping to attract applicants who are passionate about the Somer Valley’s natural environment while being aware of the current environmental, social and economic issues within the area. The chair will play a key role in steering the partnership at a strategic, delivery and community level and use their influence and skills to make connections and expand the work of the partnership.”

The role is voluntary and will play a key role in helping to facilitate partnership action and be a positive ambassador for co-developing the Somer Valley Rediscovered programme and activities.

More information about the role and how to apply can be found on the Somer Valley Rediscovered website. Interested candidates will be asked to send a 500-word expression of interest to zoe_hancock@bathnes.gov.uk by Friday 23 January 2026.

For an informal discussion about the role, contact Zoe Hancock, Partnerships Delivery Manager- Climate & Environment Team, on 07929 067292

More information about Somer Valley Rediscovered can be found online. The Somer Valley Rediscovered Partnership includes Avon Wildlife Trust, Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership and West of England Nature Partnership.