Celebrating Volunteer Week 2023: Introducing RSPB NI’s New Volunteering Development Officer

This #VolunteersWeek we want to say a HUGE thank you to all who have volunteered their time and expertise in support of RSPB NI’s vital conservation work. The RSPB could not function without volunteers, in fact 85% of our workforce are volunteers. That’s over 12,000 volunteers across the UK. Our volunteers do everything from pulling reeds in local reserves, to co-ordinating and supporting RSPB projects, campaigning for nature and leading local groups in our communities. Volunteers help every aspect of the RSPB’s strategy to save nature.

For today's celebrations, we are welcoming Laura McMahon to the team. Read on to find out more from our new Volunteering Development Officer...

Hello! I’m Laura McMahon, the new Volunteering Development Officer for RSPB NI. I am just a few weeks into the role, but I am so excited by all the fantastic work being done by the collective workforce in RSPB and specifically by the volunteers in RSPB NI.

I myself have volunteered in many roles over the years, from organic farms, community gardens and parks, I love how volunteering allows you to give back and gain experience. Through volunteering I have been able to develop my career in conservation and I have worked with volunteers for almost 10 years now. I am passionate about connecting people to nature, to both improve their wellbeing and to encourage everyone to protect our environment. 

Volunteer Week is great time to reflect on the impact our volunteers have at RSPBNI. In Northern Ireland, we have 450 fantastic volunteers working from Rathlin Island to Lough Erne and down to the Mourne Mountains. From local groups to campaigns, fundraising and conservation, to supporting our administration and recruitment. We really couldn’t do it without you. 

A few highlights in Northern Ireland this year have been: 

• Taster volunteer days at Belfast’s Window on Wildlife: Organised by Warden Aoife deBhal, this pilot project has allowed people to get a glimpse of what conservation volunteering is at Belfast WoW. Happening monthly on Saturdays, this gives people great flexibility to volunteer and allows for a wider group of people to get into volunteering. 
• Species Volunteer Network (SVN) (Red Kites): Thanks to the great work of conservation staff Monika Wojcieszek, Shannon Plummer and especially volunteer Jacqui Forster, the Red Kite SVN project is going from strength to strength. Our volunteers are carrying out regular monitoring of local red kites and feed into our database, led by our brilliant Volunteer Coordinator Jacqui. 
• Youth Campaigners: From the Policy team, Ruby Free leads around 40 Youth Campaigners volunteering with RSPB NI, aged from 13-30. They have helped influenced policy, written communication pieces, ran campaigns stalls, created events, and rallied at multiple protests.  

It is a very exciting time to volunteer with RSPBNI. We offer a wide range of voluntary options, so there is something for everyone. I help support our dedicated volunteers, and work with our teams to widen our opportunities for the future.  

If you have any questions or just want a chat, feel free to contact me at laura.mcmahon@rspb.org.uk