What kind of volunteering do you do?
Conservation – at a botanic garden. I’m also a volunteer Park Ranger with the National Trust.

Can you describe an average day in your volunteering life?
It varies really. One week I may be involved in taking adults and children on a night walk through the park and the next week with the children’s group clearing undergrowth and rubbish which we collect and turn into bonfires.

Do you have to be a particular kind of person to be a volunteer?
Well, from my experience as a conservation volunteer, I find it helps if you’re quite easy going and up for anything that comes your way. There’s just so much going on.

Do you feel your volunteering makes a real difference to others?
It certainly does make a real difference. There’s so much to do in the park or the botanic garden. But it’s all worth it for the visitors. They get so much out of these beautiful natural places.

And finally, what do you personally get out of volunteering?
Being a Park Ranger is great. Personally, I love it. I’m doing what I enjoy and gaining so much new knowledge at the same time. And meeting lots of great people too.

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