Profiles

This profile page has been created specifically to focus on some of the different roles undertaken by volunteers - from nature reserve management to working with children - to illuminate the different ways in which people can help the Trust. 

Volunteers are vital to the overall success of Norfolk Wildlife Trust and their ongoing support and commitment is highly valued and appreciated. As well as helping NWT to protect Norfolk's wildlife for the future, our volunteers learn new skills, meet new people and enjoy looking after some of Norfolk's most valuable natural areas.

Collectively, the Wildlife Trusts have over 40,000 volunteers, therefore the difference that you can make is enormous. Whether you are looking for a social activity, work experience, to get closer to wildlife or simply feel passionate about the Trust's work, we would love to hear from you.

We have volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and a range of tasks and activities to suit everyone at locations all over Norfolk.

 

Gillie has been volunteering for NWT as an Education Guide for almost 10 years. Her role involves guiding groups of schoolchildren in activities on nature reserves such as dyke-dipping, walking the trails, mini-beasting or craft activities. “I love the moment that a light comes on in their eyes, when they suddenly understand what I'm explaining, or when we lead them to make an exciting discovery for themselves.”

Another aspect of the work which has given Gillie lasting pleasure is contact with NWT staff - both permanent and seasonal. “We have some deeply impressive people on the staff at nature reserves, visitor centres and in the head office, from which I have learnt a lot - many have become good friends and I still keep in touch with colleagues from several years ago.”
 
 

William has been volunteering once a week at NWT Foxley Wood and other NWT woodland and heathland nature reserves for almost 10 years. He has always loved the outdoors and gardening for wildlife, and wanted to put his knowledge of habitat management into practice in the wider environment.

He started out ‘scrub bashing’ and in time obtained his brushcutter and mower certificates. Activities on the nature reserves now include hazel and ash coppicing, producing binders and stakes for hedge-laying, constructing horse jumps and fence line clearance. “It’s a combination of hard work and a sense of achievement… and a good way to keep fit in the fresh air! You only have to look around you at Foxley at bluebell time to see the effect of everyone’s hard work.”

When asked William to sum up his volunteering experience at NWT, he indicated the Trust’s motto on the Foxley Wood leaflet, “Protecting Norfolk’s Wildlife for the Future”. ‘We do exactly what it says on the tin!’
 

 

 

 

Geoff has been volunteering at Bewick House in Norwich two days a week for over 10 years. After retiring, he wanted to volunteer for an organisation that he felt in tune with: “I wanted to help the Trust because it speaks up for wildlife, and wildlife doesn’t have a voice”.

Working with the Conservation Team, Geoff maintains records for the 1,500 or so County Wildlife Sites and Churchyard projects. He is often to be found poring over old maps looking for obscure locations and land boundaries. He says that the work really has enabled him to expand his knowledge of Norfolk whilst helping NWT: “My role frees up the staff to use their specialist skills more in the field, so I feel I’m a cog in the wheel that keeps many parts of Norfolk special for wildlife.”

 

Brian has been volunteering for NWT for 16 years at Ranworth’s Broads Wildlife Centre. He loves its unique location ‘floating’ on the Broad, the breathtaking scenery and the tranquillity of the nature reserve. He has always been interested in wildlife and has built up a good knowledge of NWT’s work, plants, butterflies and other wildlife. From Easter to October, he supports the Visitor Centre manager and passes on his knowledge and enthusiasm to all the visitors he welcomes.

He has found volunteering for NWT immensely rewarding and feels as enthusiastic now as when he started: “The years have flown and I’ve never looked back - at the end of the day I like the feeling that I’ve done my bit to help others understand more about nature and the environment.”
 

 

 

 

 

 

Diane Brown has been working as a volunteer for the Wildline Information Service for about 18 months, researching and answering questions from the public. Diane said: “each time I come in I learn something new and there’s lots of expertise and support in the Education Department if I’m stuck for an answer.”

Diane usually works from home doing scientific editing which she feels can be quite isolating, so she very much enjoys working for Wildline and meeting new people and learning about Norfolk wildlife. The highlight for Diane is seeing wildlife in action, as she says “we get the chance to meet up over a meal or a wildlife trip – badger watching and seal spotting have been recent highlights, and we get a chance to see the wildlife in action rather than just writing about it!”

 

 

 

 

 

John Waller has been an IT volunteer at Norfolk Wildlife Trust since 1991. He recalls his interview all those years ago, as he reminisces that “at the interview I happened to mention that I had worked with computers and that was it; the fact that the computers on which I worked were somewhat larger that the Trust’s, that I had never before seen a PC and that, to me, windows were holes in walls counted for nothing – I became an IT volunteer.”

Over the years John has set up several databases, the biggest containing details of County Wildlife Sites, he also sets up new PCs and, as he said, “tries to heal the sick ones.” When asked why he goes to the Trust week after week with no pay, John’s reply is this: ‘Free heat and light and as much coffee as I can drink’. He mentions that he could add to this the ‘pleasant company and the satisfaction of doing something useful’ but as he goes on to say, “it would rather spoil the joke”.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All current volunteering opportunities are on NWT’s website www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk. Download role descriptions and an application form for any opportunities that interest you. Send your completed application form to Jo Prendergast, Volunteer Coordinator, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Bewick House, 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY.