In the current economic climate, people are looking to add to their CV, broaden their skills and experience and offer their “expertise” to charitable organisations. Why not challenge yourself and make new contacts too!
So what do they do, who are these people? Someone just like you ..... The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to, architects, accountants, educators, directors, social media gurus, designers, engineers, scientists, social workers and many more.
To make best use of this growing pool of potential volunteers, the RSPB needs to be prepared and flexible to help them make the most of their free time while job hunting. Professional volunteers are often only available for short periods, so we are encouraging staff to think about projects that can best utilise their skills.
Can you offer your “expertise” to the RSPB?
Angus Robin did, he contacted the RSPB, keen to volunteer.
He says “The RSPB has given me a great deal more than my membership cost over the years, and I wanted to give something back. I explained that I am a Doctor, as well as being a keen, but amateur, birder, and wondered if the RSPB were planning any conservation projects in remote places, where my medical skills might be handy.
It wasn’t long before I was contacted about a research trek to remote north-eastern Nepal, in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, where we would be working with Bird Conservation Nepal (the Birdlife International partner in Nepal) to look at species abundance. BCN has a tiny staff, so any work like this needed foreign help.
The research team was made up of two Nepalese Birders and a five-strong British contingent – myself, two members of the RSPB, Richard Winspear and Paul Collin, in addition to Tim and Carol Inskipp, authors of ‘Birds of Nepal’. Carrying our supplies was a team of porters, led by two sherpas and a mountain guide, not to forget the cook and his assistants.
I was the only team member who’d never been to Asia, and in this company I was initially worried that I’d very quickly be exposed as a fraud! These fears were completely unfounded, I was made to feel very welcome and as ‘an extra pair of eyes’ I certainly felt useful. Of course I made errors, but these were swiftly forgotten – even when I invented a new species of redstart at the end of a tiring day!
The route we took, taking three weeks, climbed up a valley to 12,000 feet before crossing a high mountain pass, well above the snow line; it then descended a different valley system, all in the shadow of Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak. The trek was physically demanding, far more than any of us expected, but the incredible scenery and wildlife made tired limbs quickly forgotten.
There’s no way I can easily summarise all that we did and do it justice, it was far too rich an experience. Particular highlights for me include seeing over two hundred new bird species, crossing a mountain pass with clear views to Mt Everest, meeting friendly and enthusiastic foreign conservationists, watching the moon rise over a mountain range, and being woken with a cup of tea every morning.
It would be unfair to forget the challenges this trip presented, and, besides the 60,000 feet of total ascent whilst trying to recognise bird species I’d never seen before, I was very grateful that my medical skills were only rarely called upon.
Treating nine people for snow-blindness at high altitude was certainly stressful, but other than that, sore knees and flicking leeches off was the worst we suffered! I think I can honestly say that the most worrying time on this trip was waiting for my lost bag of trekking equipment and medical supplies to arrive in Kathmandu before starting the trek!
I will definitely be volunteering with the RSPB again as I feel that I got a lot out of this project, even more so because taking the time to do this has helped a conservation effort in a beautiful but threatened habitat.”
So what other professions get involved and share their skills and knowledge with us?
To find out what is available please visit www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering.
Can’t find what you are looking for?
We would love to hear from you, let us know if you have skills and expertise that can assist us with Saving Nature and making a difference for wildlife. Our email is volunteers@rspb.org.uk.
No matter what you think you are, you are always and in all ways so much more!