Clearing 2010: Taking a green gap year

School leaver Olivia Guitierrez and fellow volunteers from Camden’s Green Gym group Photograph: BTCV/PR

Volunteer Stephen Regan during a gardening and conservation work session at the BTCV Hollybush Centre in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Stephen is 17 - his volunteering work will look good on his UCAS form if he decides to apply.
Photograph: Gabriel Szabo/Guzelian

Louis Sargent is now doing a Masters in sustainable development after completing a ‘green Gap year’ with BTCV Photograph: BTCV/PR

Daniel Whewell tries his hand at dry stonewalling in Lancashire Photograph: BTCV/PR

David Keight and Jonathan Dukes give construction a go in BTCV’s Mickle Trafford Kitchen Garden, Chester Photograph: BTCV/PR

BTCV Volunteer Officer Alex Bryant digs a trench for a dry stone wall and changes the landscape in Yorkshire. Photograph: Gabriel Szabo/Guzelian/Guzelian

Volunteer Jay Stebbings, who joined BTCV after university, gets some practical experience in Leeds Photograph: Roger Moody/PR

BTCV volunteers constructed an allotment at Rothwell Victoria Primary School, Leeds. Photograph: Roger Moody/PR

Volunteer Ruth Lewis is now studying geography at Bangor University. She volunteered at BTCV’s Skelton Grange Environment Centre, Leeds over the summer to get practical experience. Photograph: BTCV/PR