Friends of St Nicholas Fields

Who we are

A centre for nature and green living, with an ambitious vision for York. The charity started as ‘Friends of St Nicholas Fields’ in the 1990s by transforming a former landfill site into a thriving Local Nature Reserve. We continue to manage it, with the help of many great volunteers, for the benefit of both wildlife and our visitors. The name of the site and the secular charity comes from the middle ages when the area was owned and managed by St Nicholas hospital and church. Our Green Corridors team has recently expanded into managing other green spaces around York. Our Nature Based Wellbeing team run both education and mental health peer support services. Our Waste & Sustainability team collect recycling, carry out waste audits and run events across the city.

Our culture and values

• Sustainability: conducting all activities in a way that is not harmful to the environment. 

• Inclusivity: to provide a safe and friendly environment for all staff, volunteers and audiences participating in all events and projects  

• Enthusiasm: in all our volunteers, staff and trustees for St Nicks vision  

• Expertise: to retain and develop the skills of staff, management committee and the wider pool of individuals involved with the organisation 

• Partnerships: working with other organisations and individuals to achieve shared goals, take opportunities and increase capacity  

• Education: on sustainability to allow people to make informed choices  

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

St Nicks is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Each person is evaluated on the basis of personal skill and merit. St Nicks’ policy regarding equal employment opportunity applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, working conditions, scheduling, benefits, wage and salary administration, disciplinary action, termination, and social, educational and recreational programs. The Chief Executive Officer shall act as the responsible agent in the full implementation of the Equal Opportunity policy.