Who am I?
I’m Caty and I’m a student from Cardiff. I have been volunteering for RSPB Cymru for nearly a year now.
What does the RSPB do?
The RSPB is a strong organization which does amazing things, from leading the charge to save albatrosses to creating nature reserves. The RSPB works all around the world from the smallest back garden, to the ferocious southern oceans, saving species from extinction. They also protect special places for wildlife, and motivate people to add their voice to giving nature a home, which is a long-term game, and to have a strong passion for wildlife. Volunteering for the RSPB makes me feel that nature has a home in the future.
Pin badge volunteer role
I volunteer in any way that I can. However, I love to find places to put the RSPB’s pin badge boxes, as it raises contributions for the RSPB, and also helps raise awareness of the RSPB’s work. We need money so that changes could happen for nature conservation and wildlife. I help to fundraise by placing pin badge boxes in different places like cafes and pet shops. You can also create your own event, using the pin badge boxes, to raise money for the RSPB. If you like arts and crafts, you can make your own items to sell with the pin badges, like I did. I made feather pens to help raise money for the RSPB, whilst having the pin badges for sale.
How many hours do I volunteer?
Usually, I volunteer one hour every week. However, when events are taking place, I will have done 5 hours on that week. Volunteering is very important as it gets you involved with new things, as well as developing technical, social and academic skills that could not be learned in school. Volunteering is something to do outside school, college or university. Whilst doing volunteering, you gain a lot of experience. For example, you learn communication skills and academic skills.
Why is volunteering important?
Being a volunteer for the RSPB helps inspire anyone to create a better environment for wildlife in the future, in whatever way that they can help. The work that you do as a volunteer would be very valuable for the RSPB, and most importantly, for nature. According to the research that Dr. Rachel Casiday, from the University of Wales, it showed that when volunteers were asked to assess their own health, they rated it more positively than non-volunteers. I think volunteering encourages you to take a healthier lifestyle, which can improve self-esteem and it will give you a sense of purpose, as you are doing something to help nature.
No matter how young or old you are, volunteering for the RSPB will help you, the RSPB and most importantly, it will give nature a home.
Recommendations
I would definitely recommend volunteering for the RSPB as personally, it makes me feel that I am doing something to help nature and the wildlife that’s all around us. If you volunteer for the RSPB, you are giving back to nature, and you will help to create a better environment for wildlife, in the future.
For more information about volunteering please go to http://www.rspb.org.uk/joinandhelp/volunteering
Below image - L-R Anna and Caty presented with a golden curlew limited edition pin badge for exceptional fundraising for RSPB Cymru