A visitor and volunteer told us recently how volunteering has improved his life and made him fitter and happier.
He said he had read about a recent health report which showed that there were five simple approaches to life which could improve the way people think and feel. These were known as the five ways to wellbeing - connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, give.
He explained how he applied them to his volunteering at Middleton Lakes.
He says that he connects with others by joining weekly and fortnightly work party groups as a volunteer, in which he helps, with groups of 2, 3 or more, by doing many easy jobs, such as vegetation clearing, litter picking or building dry walking routes, for example.
He becomes active, and hence fit, by being a volunteer warden (VW) and walking around the site, looking out for and counting the reserve's cows, in the southern meadow. He checks a to-do list and reports back to the staff, on how the reserve is faring - such as: does the vegetation need pruning, are the paths usable for visitors or have the bird feeders been filled up, perhaps by himself.
He takes notice by being out in the different months, seasons and weathers: snow, sunshine, wet or windy, and taking moments just to appreciate how different the reserve looks during these times.
He keeps learning about wildlife and nature conservation from books from his local library, articles from the internet, the RSPB community blogs and from the staff newsletters, which answers the many questions he has about the importance of watching and maintaining a growing and changing reserve.
He gives by helping out regularly, being cheerful to the public, and supporting fellow volunteers with some of the more arduous tasks.
He says he finds the work and the companionship very rewarding and is looking forward to his next work party or VW day.
Perhaps you may want to join the team too. Volunteering is fun for both men and women.