Six months with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust

Blog post by Steve Cox on 12 Feb, 2019
I have been in the unusual and lucky position of being paid by my employer to volunteer for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. John Lewis sponsored me to work one day a week for six months under its Golden Jubilee Scheme which was set up in April 2000 to mark 50 years since the business was handed to its workers, known as “partners”, by Spedan Lewis, son of John Lewis. It has been a fascinating, stimulating and fun six months, so much so that I am continuing to volunteer now that the John Lewis secondment has ended.

My time with the Trust got off to a good start with the Volunteers’ Day at Weeting Heath in July 2018. Volunteers were given a guided tour of the reserve, talks by wildlife experts, who each thanked volunteers for their contribution to the trust’s work, and we enjoyed fish and chips in the warm late afternoon sunshine. The event showed me that the efforts of volunteers were valued and much appreciated by the Trust. And I found myself in the company of volunteers and NWT staff who were clearly committed to the cause and enjoying working together for the benefit of nature.
Steve Cox

Steve Cox



I am a journalist and so got involved in the public relations and communications side of the Trust. The first weeks were spent visiting all the NWT reserves with visitor centres – Cley, Ranworth, Hickling, Holme and Weeting – taking pictures and writing reports on the facilities they offer and their family-friendly activities, such as pond-dipping and bug hunts. I was amazed at all the activity there and delighted to be visiting during the long, hot summer of 2018.

Next came project-led assignments, reporting on schemes under way, including the purchase and conversion of farmland near Thompson Common, restoration work at Catfield Fen, the management of Pigneys Wood and the purchase and transformation of land near Roydon Common.

The time I have been able to give to the Trust has also allowed me to write articles on fundraising, including pieces to encourage people to join the Trust and to consider leaving a legacy to the NWT. I have also added to the NWT’s stock of pictures to illustrate its brochures and online content, most recently by taking pictures of branded products – from soap to binoculars – which can be bought in the visitor centres.

It has been a challenge sometimes to get my head around the complicated issues the Trust tackles but I have had a lot of fun too. I am so pleased the Trust made the most of my time – and I suspect that many other volunteers feel they are making a difference. I know from what was said at the Volunteers’ Day at Weeting that the Norfolk Wildlife Trust could not achieve as much as it does without people donating their time and effort.

Steve Cox is an NWT volunteer, formerly on secondment as part of John Lewis Partership Golden Jubilee Trust.
NWT
Share this

Latest Blog Posts

Volunteer Spotlight: Poppy Bye Volunteer Spotlight: Poppy Bye
by Poppy Bye on 12 Mar, 2024
Last of the winter jobs on our reserves Last of the winter jobs on ...
by Robert Morgan, NWT Reserves Officer on 29 Feb, 2024
Hamza Yassin: Life Behind The Lens Hamza Yassin: Life Behind T...
by Oscar Lawrence on 27 Feb, 2024
Is the humble toad the real harbinger of spring?  Is the humble toad the real...
by Robert Morgan on 20 Feb, 2024
NWT employs stubborn old goats NWT employs stubborn old goats
by Robert Morgan on 20 Feb, 2024
Short-eared owls: their magic and majesty Short-eared owls: their mag...
by Oscar Lawrence on 12 Feb, 2024
Volunteer Spotlight: Tim Suiter Volunteer Spotlight: Tim Su...
by Tim Suiter on 05 Feb, 2024
Some old-fashioned care is needed in the winter Some old-fashioned care is ...
by Robert Morgan, NWT Reserves Officer on 02 Feb, 2024
Could a once abundant Norfolk fish become extinct?   Could a once abundant Norfo...
by Robert Morgan on 23 Jan, 2024
Wild is the wind Wild is the wind
by Robert Morgan on 23 Jan, 2024
Waxwing Winter Waxwing Winter
by Oscar Lawrence on 17 Jan, 2024
Volunteer Spotlight: Tricia Dolamore Volunteer Spotlight: Tricia...
by Tricia on 10 Jan, 2024
January on our reserves January on our reserves
by NWT on 04 Jan, 2024
Robin Redbreast Robin Redbreast
by Oscar Lawrence on 19 Dec, 2023
A Christmas Wish for Nature A Christmas Wish for Nature
by Robert Morgan on 18 Dec, 2023
November on our reserves November on our reserves
by Robert Morgan, NWT Reserves Assistant on 07 Dec, 2023
Our vision for Hickling Broad Our vision for Hickling Broad
by Eliot Lyne, NWT CEO on 07 Dec, 2023
Winter wildlife on the North Norfolk coast Winter wildlife on the Nort...
by Robert Morgan on 05 Dec, 2023
Meander through the meadow - Sweet Briar Marshes guided walk Meander through the meadow ...
by Oscar Lawrence on 29 Nov, 2023
Kites and eagles: the falsely accused Kites and eagles: the false...
by Oscar Lawrence on 20 Nov, 2023
Nurturing nature with love Nurturing nature with love
by Nick Acheson on 14 Nov, 2023
Foray into fungi Foray into fungi
by Robert Morgan on 07 Nov, 2023
October on our reserves October on our reserves
by NWT on 01 Nov, 2023
Volunteer Spotlight: John Coadwell Volunteer Spotlight: John C...
by John Coadwell on 31 Oct, 2023