This November, Leeds Trinity University's Information Systems team embarked on another fulfilling afternoon volunteering in Hunger Hills Woods, a beautiful woodland close to the University.

Joined by representatives of ‘The Friends of Hunger Hill Woods’ group, our team of 8 volunteers set out to clear mud and leaves from the footpaths within the woods to create a safer and more accessible route for the local community. Throughout the session, the Friends of Hunger Hills volunteers provided support and guidance, keeping an eye on the safety of our volunteers, and that of passers-by and inquisitive dogs.

We worked hard as a team, raking the fallen leaves and scraping back the mud that had encroached onto the paths. It was muddy work, but thankfully the rain held off, and it was great to spend time together in the fresh air. It was very rewarding to look back at paths we had cleared and see the difference that we had made.

Hunger Hills Woods is a delightful area of woodland and green space which was donated to the people of Horsforth by the local Stanhope family in the 1940s and is now owned by Leeds City Council. The name has nothing to do with malnutrition – it derives from the Old English/Norse word ‘Hangra’ meaning ‘wooded hillside’. The woods are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and are known locally as the Bluebell Woods due to the glorious display of bluebells each spring.

Since its formation in 2006, the voluntary ‘Friends of Hunger Hills Woods’ group has been dedicated to preserving this treasured woodland. They liaise with the council to ensure proper forestry management, improve pedestrian access, organise community events like voluntary working parties and bat watches, and protect the woods from misuse and vandalism. Their efforts help to ensure the woodland remains a thriving and cherished part of the local community.

We were thrilled to be able to return for another volunteering session, which gave us valuable time together as a team away from the office environment, but also contribute in a small way to the local community and the important work of the dedicated Friends of Hunger Hill Woods group who look after this precious woodland so well.

Sarah Jacques is Deputy Director of Digital and Information Services at Leeds Trinity University.