Volunteering

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Volunteer experiences

Want to volunteer, but don't know what it's like? Find out more from people who have volunteered with the RSPB.

Resolution to revolution: my first year as an RSPB volunteer - Daphne Pleace

My New Year’s Resolution was to do some conservation voluntary work, and after looking at various organisations, I chose the RSPB. More...

Adult male osprey perched in early morning sunlight, Scotland

Letter of satisfaction - Mrs Gasson

After I retired, I wanted to do some charity work, but nothing that would need regular commitment. Writing a letter to my MP on an environmental issue seemed the perfect opportunity. More...

Fundraising for the RSPB - John Booth

While volunteering for the RSPB I've not only learnt a lot, but I've also done so many different things whilst helping to raise a considerable amount of money to help birds. More...

Back to school - Nicky Howener-Townsend

My future daughter-in-law was telling me about her school's ongoing nature project encouraging the children to be more aware of their environment. She then asked if it might be possible for me to visit her school to talk about birds, as she knew nothing about them. I should have seen it coming! More...

Boy putting fat mix onto bird feeder log

Getting out and about - Juliette Kent

I've always liked birds and appreciated seeing them in and around the garden but I didn't take too deep an interest until a road traffic accident left me with permanently reduced mobility ten years ago. More...

A whole new world - Gordon Macconnell

A word of advice - don't volunteer if you want a quiet, relaxing role where you can be a calm ministering angel, or play the Lady (or Lord) Bountiful. It's not that sort of volunteering, as you will find out by reading ahead. More...

Children pond-dipping at Sandwell Valley

Practical solutions - David Crew

Volunteering at RSPB Rye Meads nature reserve has completely changed my outlook and given me a new focus, as well as making me feel better both mentally and physically. More...

One-man membership machine - Steve Rutherford

Being a motorcycle instructor has given me the ideal opportunity to show my students the wonderful birds that can be seen locally. More...

On the first step of the ladder - Crystal Maw

I knew little about birds and even less about the RSPB when I first applied to volunteer for a year. However, I have a lot of enthusiasm for anything new and was thrilled when I got a placement at Fairburn Ings as a residential reserve volunteer. More...

A year out in Lake Vyrnwy - Klare Sanderson

The view from the dam looking over the lake, which is surrounded by heather moors, oak woodlands and conifer plantations, and set against the backdrop of the Berwyn Mountains, is really very picturesque - I certainly never got tired of it during my 9-month stay at this beautiful Welsh reserve. More...

Klare Sanderson, volunteer, at Lake Vyrnwy

The story of a community group - Brian Hinds

The long history of interest in birds in Essex began in 1580 when the Chronicles of England mentioned an influx of short-eared owls at Southminster. This interest is evident in the success of the RSPB Chelmsford Local Group which, after nearly 30 years, is still going strong. More...

Seychelles magpie robin perched on branch

Aren't birds brilliant! - Jim Beattie

Helping out at two Aren't birds brilliant! sites made me realise how rich and diverse this country's wildlife and habitats are. More...

A volunteer's volunteer - Mel Bevan

I joined RSPB North West England Regional Office as a volunteer in November 2000 after working in the voluntary sector helping unemployed people of 40+ to find employment. More...

RSPB Volunteer & Farmer Alliance - Neil Fletcher

Neil has been volunteering with the RSPB since 2000. He has completed several surveys for the Volunteer & Farmer Alliance Scheme (V&FA) and surveyed Homer Green in Buckinghamshire in 2006. More...

Highland heaven - Becca Tycer

Before I went, I couldn't tell a greenfinch from a blue tit. Residential volunteering was suggested to me by my mother as a chance to visit Scotland. I chose Operation Osprey, thinking I couldn't miss these birds (due to their size!) and the location looked wonderful. More...

Wardens for a day - Lyndon Marquis

We had volunteered for a day's graft at the RSPB Fairburn Ings reserve as part of the Employee Volunteering Programme. This supplies volunteers for various activities and allows the RSPB to carry out projects for which they normally don't have enough labour. More...

View of ings across coal tip at Fairburn

Getting dirty - Sally Walker

I've been a member of my local RSPB Phoenix group (for 14-18 year olds) since it was set up about five years ago. Like most things, in the beginning it was small. Now, with nine or 10 regular members, it's not the most formidable band, but we do have our fingers in quite a few pies..... Sally Walker reveals exactly what goes on in a Phoenix group. More...

Secondee rating - Sharon Nightingale

I've been seconded to the RSPB for six months to be their Employee Volunteering Project (EVP) development officer. More...

Sharon Nightingale - secondee from Inland Revenue

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