Volunteering is for Everyone: Celebrating Our Amazing Volunteers This Volunteers' Week

You may well think that volunteering at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is only for those among us who like to be out in all weathers, get dirty, enjoy using tools and have an encyclopedic knowledge of all local wildlife. You would be mistaken...

Our volunteers cover a wide range of different areas, reflecting the diversity in backgrounds, interests, and time commitments. From hands-on conservation work in the field to vital administrative support behind the scenes to getting stuck in with our education teams, there's a good fit for everyone eager to contribute.

Ali, our Engagement Manager, talks to us about her volunteering journey:

"When I started my volunteering journey with the Trust, I knew very little about species of trees, birds and flowers, or how to use a pair of lopers or a bow saw! What I did have was a love of being outside and a background in working with children outside of the classroom.

So, I volunteered with the Education team, supporting the amazing Forest School sessions with primary aged children, and a year later found myself with a Forest School Level 3 certificate and a full-time job! Seven years later, I am still with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and am now the Engagement Manager, working to support, invite, encourage and train other people to get involved with this wonderful organisation."

There Really is Something for Everyone

One of the main aims of our Engagement team is to demonstrate that volunteering for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust really is for everyone. We create roles that can be accessed and undertaken by young people and adults with little or no knowledge of what we do as an organisation or the task they sign up to.

Take Sophie, one of our dedicated office-based volunteers, who discovered that not all conservation work happens outdoors.

"I am delighted to be an Admin Volunteer, helping the Director of Conservation and Land Management and her friendly team with a project to sort through decades of paperwork relating to all the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's reserves and farms, past and present," she explains.

"As the Trust was formed in 1962, a lot of documents are handwritten or typed in duplicate, and three months into the project, I'm realising that everything which has been kept may no longer be needed! The plan is to sift and sort archived material and then to scan all relevant information onto the database so it will be more easily accessible for the future."

Sophie's work perfectly illustrates how vital our indoor roles are. From tool maintenance and creating crafts for the Education team to DIY work, filing and supporting the finance team, there are countless ways to contribute from our head office.

A Variety of Options to Suit Your Lifestyle

From wellbeing to conservation, our volunteering opportunities offer flexible options to suit different lifestyles and time commitments. Our Wellbeing team run fantastic courses throughout Wiltshire and Swindon and are always in need of volunteers to support the valuable work they are doing. Or if you're interested in monitoring and surveying, our Conservation team and Records Centre have plenty of roles during the summer months.

Many of the traditional conservation roles happen in groups that meet weekly but often only from October to March, so the whole summer is yours. Some groups only meet monthly or on an ad hoc basis, so if you don't want to feel overly committed or are not sure of your timetable, there will always be a group you can join. The friendships that are made at these groups are truly precious and are often forever.

Approaching 20 years since first volunteering with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and my enthusiasm for the variety of tasks, habitats and fellow volunteers hasn't diminished since those early days.

- Simon, Volunteer Reserve Warden

If you don't feel like being part of a group or would like more flexibility (even combining your volunteering with a dog walk!) you could sign up as a 'Water Guardian' and wander the water courses near where you live, checking for pollution, rubbish or monitoring the wildlife.

Training is provided for certain roles including monitoring, surveying and becoming a Water Guardian. Some volunteers choose to take on leadership roles like Task Leader and will then be given First Aid, Safeguarding and technical courses such as chainsaw training.

Inspiring the Next Generation

For those with an education background, volunteering with our Wildlife Watch groups offers something truly special. These groups meet on a Saturday or Sunday, once a month, at various locations, delivering fun wildlife-themed sessions to primary aged children and their families.

Abi, one of our Wildlife Watch volunteers, captures this beautifully: "I first discovered Wildlife Watch as a parent, taking my son to Green Lane Wood. It brought back memories of exploring local fields with my dad as a child, and it reignited my love for wildlife and nature so deeply that I decided to volunteer.

Now, I have the joy of helping children learn and discover through nature-based activities like bird-ringing, pond dipping, and creative crafts. They often ask questions I've never considered, which means I end up learning something new every session too! I wish every child had more time outdoors, connecting with the world around them. Without their curiosity, we risk losing so much."

Abi's motivation speaks to the heart of what we do: "Someone once told me: if we can inspire even one child to love and protect wildlife, we've made a real difference. That's the thought I carry with me to every Wildlife Watch."

Young People Are Welcome Too

If you are under the age of 18, while you cannot volunteer with us on your own, you are welcome to bring along an adult to support you in gaining valuable volunteering hours for your Duke of Edinburgh's Award or a school project.

We also run our Young Ambassador's scheme for 16 to 25 year-olds who are interested in volunteering and conservation. Our Young Ambassadors support us at events, through social media and also gain valuable experience working with some of our teams on the ground.

Join Our Community

This Volunteers' Week, we celebrate not just the incredible work our volunteers do, but the diverse community they represent. Whether you're drawn to hands-on conservation work, prefer indoor tasks, want to inspire children, or are looking for flexible ways to contribute to wildlife protection, there's a place for you at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Like Ali's journey from volunteer to our Engagement Manager, Abi's rediscovery of her childhood love for nature, or Sophie's vital archival work, every volunteer brings something unique and valuable to our mission of protecting Wiltshire's wildlife for future generations.