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

Joined by members of ‘The Friends of Hunger Hill Woods’, our team of 12 volunteers set out to prune overgrown hedges and widen the footpath in the green corridor that joins the woods to the local park, creating a safer and more accessible route for the local community to use.  

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. We’re very lucky to have this on our doorstep!   

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 our local community. We were thrilled to be able to support them, and the University’s wider focus on sustainability and contribution.  

Upon arriving at our meeting spot, our team was warmly welcomed by representatives from the Friends of Hunger Hills, who ensured we all had gloves, gardening tools, and a comprehensive instruction and safety briefing. Throughout the session, they offered support and guidance, keeping an eye on the safety of our volunteers but also of passers-by.  

We split into two groups: path clearers and shrubbery pruners. Pruning back the overgrown greenery wasn’t quite as physically demanding as cutting back the grass and weeds to widen the path, but both were equally satisfying, and we shared out the work, giving each other a chance to catch our breath. 

The weather was kind to us, and it was great to spend time together as a team, and it also gave our newer colleagues an opportunity to get to know everyone a little better as well. Throughout the session, we also had the pleasure of interacting with members of the public who were using the path, including dog walkers and families. Witnessing the immediate benefit of our work was very rewarding, and only added to the value of the time we spent there in our local community. 

All in all, our team had a fulfilling and rewarding afternoon and we hope to return for future volunteering sessions in the woodland. The dedication of The Friends of Hunger Hill Woods group is inspiring, and we are honoured to have played a small part in supporting their mission. 

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