18th June 2007 Green Hero National Winners!! Not many organisations can call themselves Green Heroes, but the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership can make that proud boast after we recently received a prestigious BTCV award from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (right). The annual Green Hero awards, made by BTCV the UK’s leading environmental volunteering organisation, recognise achievements by both individuals and groups. The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership received their award as national winners in the Zurich Risk Management category, given in recognition of “an outstanding contribution to risk management in the voluntary sector”. At the awards ceremony at St James’s Palace, Steve Bailey, Manager of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership collected the award on behalf of the Partnership and received a framed certificate signed by the Duke of Edinburgh – the charities’ patron – plus a £500 project BTCV bursary. “We are delighted that the work of our volunteer network has been recognised in this way, commented Steve Bailey. “Conservation volunteers in the Blackwater Valley contribute thousands of hours of work every year carrying out a wide range of tasks. The network enables the groups to get together to exchange information and deal with any issues that arise, this is particularly important when it comes to health, safety and risk management. “This award acknowledges the time and effort volunteers throughout the Valley invest in attending training courses, carrying out risk assessments and familiarising themselves with the latest health and safety legislation, so that their conservation projects are carried out in the safest possible circumstances.” During 2006, an accident led to an insurance claim being made against one of the volunteer groups in the Valley.  This created an atmosphere of confusion and concern about insurance, group liability and personal responsibility.  To help address this the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership organised a Risk Management  workshop for the groups in the Valley’s countryside volunteer network. This was facilitated by Ken Brown the local BTCV Area Manager. The groups are now developing health and safety protocols for the benefit of all their volunteers and confidence about health and safety issues has increased. Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership subsequently applied for a lottery grant to provide training, support and consultancy to the groups in their area. The citation announcing the winner of the Green Hero Award for the Zurich Risk Management category said:  “The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership's volunteer network has demonstrated a real commitment to supporting volunteers, group safety and sharing best practice.” The judges were particularly impressed by the positive approach to dealing with a potential problem and the fact that the solution could be replicated in other areas. Paul Emery, Head of Charities and Voluntary Sector, for Farnborough based Zurich, said: “ Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership has demonstrated a managed, positive approach to managing risk in a changing environment. In embracing best practice in this way the organisation, its volunteers and wider community all benefit as what it has put in place enables rather than imposes restrictions on the scope of its activities.  Zurich is very proud to sponsor this award which recognises such an achievement.”  As a result of receiving the award the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership and Zurich are now looking at ways of working together to support the Valley’s volunteer groups: “It was a surprise to find out Zurich were based in the Blackwater Valley, a coincidence we couldn’t  ignore,” continued Steve Bailey. “A partnership project will be excellent news for the Valley’s volunteer network.” END   Pictures Top picture: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh giving the award to Steve Bailey, Manager of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership. Bottom picture, from left to right: Ken Brown BTCV Area Manager; Steve Bailey, Manager Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership; Paul Emery Head of Charities and Voluntary Sector, Zurich; Sue Dent Access and Countryside Officer, Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership; Karen Bigwood, Zurich. For further information contact: Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353. EDITOR NOTES Pictures available: (1) HRH Duke of Edinburgh giving the award to Steve Bailey from BVCP. (2) Group shot showing Steve Bailey and Sue Dent from BVCP with Karen Bigwood and Paul Emery of Zurich and Ken Brown of BTCV. The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) is funded by the County, District and Parish Councils along the River Blackwater. It works to promote community action in conservation and recreation and to protect the Valley for the enjoyment and well being of the whole community. BTCV is the UK’s leading practical conservation charity. BTCV supports over 140,000 volunteers every year to take hands on action to improve both the rural and urban environments. BTCV website Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 55,000 people serving customers in more than 120 countries. Zurich website For over 100 years Zurich has been dedicated to providing insurance and risk management services to the third sector. With the experience and know-how to help charities and voluntary organisations identify and manage the risks they face Zurich works with its customers to develop tailored solutions which enable them to focus on meeting their objectives.