Volunteering is a wonderful thing - helping others, promoting the best of humanity; all without anything in return. I encourage you all to volunteer in anything you can! Currently, I understand that it is particularly difficult and volunteer roles are on hold for the time being but, after all of this I assure you its a brilliant thing to do.
I chose to volunteer with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust in October 2018 having joined a volunteering website looking for different roles, I thought I might as well give it a go. I knew I enjoyed being outdoors and I have never before done anything like it. The trust offer a Youth service called 'wild youth' which was previously called 'Youth action' in the Staffordshire area for 14-25 year olds. Each session was different from learning hedge laying to path laying and even making a wooden stool. It was a great way to clear your head, relax and meet new people - I am definitely a more outgoing person than I was as it helped me gain so much confidence; it even made me realise and aided me in my decision in what I want to do as a career. For young people, I believe these programmes are essential in gaining work and life experience, offering a chance to socialise and most importantly - in my mind to learn about the natural world.
Here are a handful of actives I have done with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust:
I chose to volunteer with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust in October 2018 having joined a volunteering website looking for different roles, I thought I might as well give it a go. I knew I enjoyed being outdoors and I have never before done anything like it. The trust offer a Youth service called 'wild youth' which was previously called 'Youth action' in the Staffordshire area for 14-25 year olds. Each session was different from learning hedge laying to path laying and even making a wooden stool. It was a great way to clear your head, relax and meet new people - I am definitely a more outgoing person than I was as it helped me gain so much confidence; it even made me realise and aided me in my decision in what I want to do as a career. For young people, I believe these programmes are essential in gaining work and life experience, offering a chance to socialise and most importantly - in my mind to learn about the natural world.
Here are a handful of actives I have done with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust:
Environmental management
I have cleared away Himalayan Balsam an invasive species. The plant spreads very quickly and easily as the seed pods explode, covering a wide area. This prevents other species from growing. I have also cleared areas or hawthorn and areas of vegetation to allow new growth. This type of work corresponded to local teams who look after the nature reserves.
Willow weaving
This was challenging but something that I would love to do again. This new skill involved well ,weaving willow. I made a snail, a sunflower and a star. I was not the best at it and sadly, I admit that's where I will leave my willow weaving career as I was not naturally gifted in it but i loved learning about the craft.
I made a wooden stool!
This was perhaps my favourite activity with the trust and probably the most difficult, labour intensive actives too. By the end my arms felt like lead but the sense of achievement overshadowed my fatigue as I stood back and looked at my work. I learned all about green wood working which is sustainable and traditional where the wood worker is in sync with wildlife and environment rather than participating the damaging practice of mass deforestation.
Hedge laying
This was challenging but something that I would love to do again. This new skill involved well ,weaving willow. I made a snail, a sunflower and a star. I was not the best at it and sadly, I admit that's where I will leave my willow weaving career as I was not naturally gifted in it but i loved learning about the craft.
I made a wooden stool!
This was perhaps my favourite activity with the trust and probably the most difficult, labour intensive actives too. By the end my arms felt like lead but the sense of achievement overshadowed my fatigue as I stood back and looked at my work. I learned all about green wood working which is sustainable and traditional where the wood worker is in sync with wildlife and environment rather than participating the damaging practice of mass deforestation.
Hedge laying
Hedge laying is the management of hedgerows, which on the front looks quite ruthless but in fact it is essential to maintain the health of hedges and for their survival. The craft has been around for hundreds of years but declined after the second world was due to introduction of machines to cut hedges, wire fences and changes in agriculture that placed emphasis on production.
I have completed various amounts of projects with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and I have learned many new skills. I am so grateful for this opportunity that has been made available to me and I hope others can get involved in programmes similar to this one too!
I have completed various amounts of projects with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and I have learned many new skills. I am so grateful for this opportunity that has been made available to me and I hope others can get involved in programmes similar to this one too!
Comments
Post a Comment