Minsmere put a spring in my step

Guest blog by John Chapman, Minsmere visitor and volunteer

I love RSPB Minsmere nature reserve. I go to the reserve whenever possible and even book holiday off to visit the reserve for several days in a row. It holds a very special place in my heart. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that Minsmere changed my life. Bold statement, I know, please, allow me to explain.

Before Minsmere, bird watching and photography, I would sit in front of my games console, suffering from bi-polar depression, stressed about my autistic and challenging son. I was struggling to keep my very stressful job, whilst worrying about financial issues and general life. To escape, I would play my games console. As life got harder, this would make me play my games console even more to escape the problems. This would have probably lost me my wife, Claire, as she was tired of me playing computer games instead of making something of myself.

By going to Minsmere 6 years ago and enjoying it as much as I did on that day out, I started going back again and again. My visits encouraged me to buy a better camera and then finally a semi-professional camera, which allowed me to start taking wildlife pictures. I gained confidence in my pictures and started to show people my work, which started to make me feel better about myself. I stopped playing my games console so much and started to cope better with my son’s issues and found that I enjoyed my job more. I wasn't buying any more games so we were being left with money to spare and most importantly to me at that point, I was able to manage my bi-polar to the point of not needing medication any more.

After showing people my work and them seeing how much enjoyment and passion I was getting out it, my friend Krystina to ask me to photograph her wedding. Others saw Krissy's photos and started to ask me to do paid photography work for them, which then allowed me to start my photographic business J C Images.

J C Images allowed me to go buy new equipment to improve my business and photography. I even sold my games console to make more money for the business. I no longer needed it. I had found a new escape from my stress and depression, which by now was easily manageable, which meant I became more competent at taking better images, especially wildlife. This gave me the confidence to show the staff of RSPB Minsmere my work who then got to know me better over the last 6 years, which allowed my interest in nature to grow and grow and my enthusiasm for the reserve increase.

I passed this interest on to other liked minded people at Minsmere, when people sparked up a conversation with me at the reserve. This allowed me to meet and become friends with Ian Barthorpe (Marketing and Publicity Officer, RSPB Minsmere) which meant that Ian could then offer me the opportunity to become A RSPB VOLUNTEER WILDLIFE GUIDE AT MINSMERE! I'm even allowed to continue my photography whilst in this role!!

                                                          Jonathan's garden

I have even been inspired in the last year to alter a section of my garden into a wildlife area. It has taken 9 months of planning, research, saving money and hard graft to create it, and I'm very proud of my achievement. I've even called it 'Little Minsmere' in dedication to what the reserve has done for me.

                                                           Jonathan's wildlife area

As if that wasn't good enough, learning that BBC Springwatch, a programme which I have followed for many years and love almost as much as Minsmere, will be at the reserve for 3 weeks from the 26 May 2014 has filled me with such inspiration and passion for my role as a guide, I can't wait to get started.

So there you have it. Minsmere really did change my life. From what I was to what I am now are two totally different places in my life.

All in all, what a difference one day can make. Thank you Minsmere.