WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS SAY

"I've been volunteering with the Trust for the past 11 years. I work on Mondays helping out with the packs for new members, labelling envelopes, franking the letters, going to the Post Office and generally assisting with anything that needs doing in a very busy office.

I like working at the Trust as the people are very friendly and helpful, the gardens are very beautiful and events like the Green Festival are great fun."
Helen Barlow

"I started volunteering with the Trust in the summer of 2002, taking part in the conservation work parties on the nature reserves during my school holidays, including half-terms.

The work I have been doing with the Trust has counted towards the Service element of The Duke of Edinburgh Award. I started with the Bronze Award, have just completed Silver, and am now aiming for Gold. As well as helping the Trust for the Awards, I have also been doing ballet as one of the other elements, which complements scrub-bashing perfectly!

Getting out and about - and by now I have been to most of the Trust's reserves across the county - being active, doing more than just walking, learning about wildlife and understanding why the Trust keeps on cutting down trees are just some of the reasons I enjoy the days outside. Cramer Gutter, where we have been cutting back the gorse, is one of the places I like best, except when it's raining. A bonfire on a cold, crisp day in winter is something special."
Hester Marshall

"I have always had an interest in natural history and working on my father's farm during the holidays gave me a feel for the land and the rhythms of the seasons. Fortunately at 65 I am still fit and healthy, and I was looking for something to get me out and about and that also gave me some exercise. Shropshire Wildlife Trust fitted this bill perfectly.

Initially I started working in the garden as it was a time of change and needed as many helpers as possible, and I then graduated to going out to the reserves and have been doing this most weeks for the last two years. This has allowed me to see many beautiful and interesting places that I wouldn't otherwise know existed, and under the guidance of the Reserve Officers, learn about their unique character and understand why we are doing the work on each site. I have worked on many different sites but still have quite a few I haven't seen and it is always exciting to visit a new one for the first time."
Grenville Linton

"I have thoroughly enjoyed helping in the Trust's gardens, sowing seeds, potting on seedlings, planting and pruning, as well as general maintenance. Although I have always tried to garden for wildlife, Jackie has shown me that there is so much more I could be doing in my own garden. She has imparted so much knowledge and given me more confidence. One project which really interested me was helping to create a willow hurdle as a screen for the wood store.

It's rewarding to see the public enjoying the garden and hearing their comments about the different plants, and helping them to understand the significance of what we are aiming for in the garden."
Jean Pearson