Woodshare Community Membership Scheme

An approach developed by Woodmatters in 2011 in partnership with National Trust that offers an opportunity for people to get deeply involved in local woodlands, access lower cost firewood, enjoy woodland events and learn new skills

  • Gain practical experience and skills working alongside a local coppice workers (Gareth and Ro)

  • Offset your fossil fuel use with lower cost and sustainable firewood

  • Increase your emotional and physical wellbeing as a result of being involved in your local woodlands

Interested in joining? Contact us to find out more.

  • Membership enables anyone from that household to come and work with us (Gareth and Ro) in the woods and take home a share of green coppice timber to dry at home for firewood. Woodshare days run during the coppicing season (when the leaves have fallen off the trees) generally from Nov to March.

    We really believe in the pleasure that this kind of work can give. To see a log pile stacked ready for winter, knowing that you’ve cut the wood from a site you know, dried it stacked it and will now enjoy the warmth it gives is magic! It’s truly going back to the saying that wood warms you three times – once for the cutting, once for the splitting and one for the burning!

  • Annual membership is £35 per household plus £15 for each share of firewood you take. 1 day's enjoyable work in the woods will give 1 woodshare (2ft x 2ft x 3ft) (equates to approx a quarter the usual firewood cost)

  • We’ll send out a list of 12 available days to choose from. Mainly during the week but there will be weekend options for those who can’t make weekdays. Woodshare days run during the coppicing season from November to March.

  • We put a limit on 5 shares per household per year however many members find this is too much and do not take this number of shares.

  • In shares of 2ft x 2ft x 3ft – small diameter green coppice wood that will fit into the boot of a car. We process the wood into logs at the end of each Woodshare day. We ask that members come to each Woodshare day prepared to take their Woodshare with them at the end of the day.

     The wood is hardwood, mainly Hazel, there is some Blackthorn and Hawthorn, Birch, Ash, Oak, Sycamore, Larch, Holly and Rowan all mixed in as well.

  • Local coppice woodlands around the Sizergh Estate – Low Park Woods is the main site however we may organise days on other sites around Kendal area.

  • Starting around 9.30am and ending around 4pm, the pace of work is whatever suits you and will depend on you, the site, the weather and how you’re feeling that day. Having extra hands and company in the woods is lovely. There will usually be a fire to burn the small brash, there will be hot drinks, and everyone brings their own packed lunch. Tools are provided and the aim is to give you a chance (over time) to do all parts of coppice work. Please bring your own gloves if you have them.

    It can be quite heavy work and you’ll know you’ve been busy by the end of the day but the aim is to enjoy the beautiful places, notice the small details around you, breathe in the air and work steadily to give a productive and enjoyable experience. It’s definitely work but it’s not a road gang!

  • Joining and receiving the e-newsletter and coming out on one Woodshare day. How many days you do is entirely up to you.

  • No, it’s a case of just pacing yourself. It will help you get fit but it’s not a commando test!

    We will ask you for any specific medical details that may effect your woodland days, this is totally confidential and is just to help us plan around everyone’s needs so that everyone enjoys the days.

  • Of course, why ask? We’d like to emphasise that it’s not just about cheaper firewood but is also about getting out into the woodlands, learning new skills and sharing experiences, there are physical and mental benefits to wellbeing and you’ll get to know your local woodlands in a really hands on way.

    This scheme started in 2011 and it has been a new approach to inspiring people to come out in the woods. It will develop in a way that works well for all involved; that’s part of the excitement. As a member you can be a part of that.

Group of people in a woodland gathering around a campfire during the winter and clear sky in the background.
A group of people sitting around a campfire in a wooded area, enjoying drinks and snacks on a conservation day
A young boy stacking chopped firewood in a wooded outdoor area during daytime, with a small fire burning in the background.
Group of people gathered outdoors in a wooded area, some wearing rain gear, participating in a conservation activity
A man in a blue jacket and gray pants carrying a bundle of sticks through a wooded area with a stone wall and trees in the background.
Two people cutting a fallen tree with a handsaw in a wooded area, with a group of people in the background.
Group of people gathered outdoors in a wooded area, sitting and standing around a small campfire, with trees and fallen logs in the background, dressed in outdoor clothing for cool weather.
A woman standing next to the open trunk of a blue car filled with cut logs, in a wooded area.
Group of children and adults sitting around a campfire in a wooded area, some wearing winter jackets and hats, with a person cooking over the fire.
Two men are working outdoors in a wooded area, clearing fallen branches and twigs from the ground. One man, wearing a blue jacket, is carrying a bundle of branches, while the other, in darker clothing, is bending down to pick up more debris.
A man wearing a gray beanie, black and orange jacket, and gloves is stacking logs onto a cart outdoors in a wooded area.
People riding a red ATV with a trailer attached through a muddy forest trail, with others walking and watching in the background.
A logo featuring a stylized olive branch above the words "National Trust" in olive green.