Every single one of you is unique. You have your own special set of skills and attributes that makes you, you! Sometimes you might feel that you don't really get to shine and use your talents in your everyday life or at work. and that's where volunteering can fill that void.
As a charity, we rely on donations from the public to keep funding our work. But we also hugely appreciate your time, expertise and enthusiasm in our volunteering roles. Each year around 12,000 people enjoy helping us to make a bigger and better impact for nature and the environment.
Do you have to be a bird expert? For the majority of roles, no. You might just about be able to name a robin and a seagull, and that's fine. You don't even have to be a member either. If you would like to help make a difference then we can find an opportunity that will fit in with your circumstances.
Let's hear from some of our fabulous team here at RSPB Ribble Estuary and find out what they have been getting up to.
Meet Super Ecologist Charlie -
"I’m Charlie Baker and have had a great time working both independently and as a team to tackle the invasive threat posed by Japanese knotweed at RSPB Marshside.
I have recently finished my degree in biological sciences and am passionate about ecology. It has been a pleasure to get out in the field and I will use this surveying work to construct a report on the knotweed thereby putting my degree to good use!
I am very proud of the work we have done at Faircloughs viewpoint which I helped to repaint in 2020. In 2022 it unfortunately burnt down and so all the effort put into rebuilding it as a team this summer has made me very proud to be a part of the team here.
Watching a grey heron snap at dragonflies while we built the new junction viewpoint was rather entertaining as I didn’t think flying insects were on their menu.
Volunteering gives me a sense of enormous well- being, It is an escape from the hustle and bustle where I can instead focus on working as a team, bond with other people and put in the effort to achieve something everyone can enjoy while also doing our bit for nature.
Volunteering has provided me opportunities to develop a range of new skills from livestock management to abrasive wheel training (using an angle grinder)."
Thank you for sharing your story with us Charlie, it sounds like your volunteering time has really helped to improve your employability in an area that you are clearly very passionate about.
Lesley's Accidental Volunteering Incident
"I became a volunteer by accident. I went into the RSPB shop (at Fairhaven) to enquire if volunteers were needed at Fairhaven Lake. The shop manager wasn't sure but said that more volunteers were needed at the RSPB shop. As my mum had been a member of the RSPB until she passed away I decided it was fate and signed up. I have been volunteering at the shop for five years now. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn not just about birds, but about wildlife and environmental issues in general."
We are certainly very glad that you walked into the shop that day Lesley and it's great to have you on the team.
Fabulous Photographs by Martin
"Hello,
My name is Martin Campbell and I have been requested to do a regular post to the RSPB website/community.
I have been interested in birds for as long as I can remember, from the days of primary school, roaming the County Durham countryside looking or herons, kingfishers, treecreepers, yellowhammers and the like.
At around the age of 18-20, I did several stints of voluntary wardening at RSPB reserves including Leighton Moss, Coombes Valley and Insh Marshes. Then work got in the way, though during my 36 years as a primary school teacher, I did a lot of nature-based work with children, often using my own photographs. In recent years, this included the RSPB’s Big Schools Birdwatch. I am now five years retired and have loved having the time to spend on nature photography. Since lockdown, my link with RSPB Marshside has flourished as it’s one of my nearest open spaces. I am currently posting regularly on Facebook (West Lancashire Nature Notes) and this is definitely raising the profile of the reserve."
I am rather envious of Martin's photographic skills. Just look at how he has captured this male teal and young black-headed gull.
Mike likes to get hands-on now he's retired.
"My name is Mike Worthington, age 60. I have been volunteering for 21 months now since retiring. I Started on one day a week & increased to two days nine months ago. In that time I have been to four different locations & done many varied jobs including strimming, mowing, brush cutting, layering hedges, coppicing, building paths, putting up & removing fences, maintaining tools & equipment, built benches & bird boxes.
Some of my proudest moments have been working on the large projects, for example the viewing screen at Sandgrounders, junction screen & Faircloughs & replacing the rear window of the tractor. Also the courses the RSPB have put me on ie Strimming & Brush cutting, Wood chipping & Post Knocker inner.I have always been impressed with the equipment & clothing we are provided with & investment in me / courses. Also impressed by the level of trust that is placed in us, working with expensive materials & equipment.Everybody is friendly & helpful & volunteering for the RSPB has become one of the highlights of my week."
Thank you Mike, you certainly put some hard graft in.
Danni has plans to work in education
"I’m Danni Dawson and currently a Volunteer at Marshside RSPB, working in travel consultancy alongside studying environmental sciences at the Open University. Particular interests and future ambitions to work in the educational sector for a conservation charity.
Building junction screen viewpoint and seeing a black winged stilt are two great highlights while volunteering.
I enjoy working with other volunteers and it’s the best part of my week. Great being out of the office, learning about new habitat management skills and being in touch with nature.
The RSPB has booked me on several courses, such as heathland and reedbed management to help my career development into the conservation sector. I have learnt a wide range of skills in how to use hand held machinery like brushcutters and undertaking infrastructure work on site, which has been massively rewarding watching the reserve progress."
What a great way to boost your skill set before you finish you studies Danni.
So, as you can see, there are loads of opportunities to use the skills you already have and to develop more when you come and volunteer with us. It's a wonderfully rewarding way to spend a few spare hours, or days, or weeks even.
To find out more and see what opportunities there are for you, keep checking in with our volunteering opportunities page.
Group of volunteers and Martin by Wes, teal and black-headed gull by Martin, Volunteers with bird feeder by Jo, Charlie, Mike and Danni by Chester.