A thank you to our volunteers this Volunteer Week
National Volunteering Week is celebrated this year from the 3rd of June to the 9th of June.
Without volunteers, WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre wouldn’t be able to do what it does. From helping on our reserve, to supporting family activities and events, we have over 150 volunteers that keep us going.
We want to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers and highlight some of their stories and experiences at WWT Martin Mere. Take a look!
June
Volunteer for almost two years, June comes each Wednesday to Martin Mere to help out in our gift shop. She describes volunteering as ‘fun’ and ‘worthwhile’.
Speaking on what got her started, June said: “A friend of mine did a lot of voluntary work with the Samaritans and was always talking about how it was good for him.”
“As I had a background in sales, I said I wanted to do memberships. Membership was part of the gift shop and welcome desk, so that’s what I tried and I’ve been here since.”
As part of June’s role, she is one of the first points of contact for our visitors. She helps to welcome them in, process their tickets or membership, and pass them onto the welcome desk to find out what’s on.
Rita
Rita, a huge sci-fi fan who enjoys being creative, has volunteered at Martin Mere for nearly two years. She started looking for volunteering after she missed being around people.
“I became physically disabled as an adult, and my condition means it would be nearly impossible for me to work again. I missed being around people, so I started volunteering a few years ago in a primary school, but post-2020 this was no longer an option.
“I was actually looking for a volunteering opportunity for my son (who is now a volunteer on the reserve) during Volunteer Week 2021. Whilst here, I saw a craft room role and wondered if someone had been spying on me! I knew immediately that, if my physical limits could be accepted, I would fit right into that role... and everyone has been incredibly supportive so, I have!”
Rita now volunteers every other Sunday at Martin Mere, helping out in our family craft room where we have a range of arts and crafts like badge making, colouring, and clay modelling.
Mark
Mark Sowerby volunteers on our reserve. Here is what he had to say about his time volunteering with us:
“Volunteering at Martin Mere has exceeded my expectations in many ways. I started volunteering in July 2022 and from the first day, I was made very welcome by staff and volunteers alike. I was given a tour of the reserve, the team's activities and future plans.
The diversity of work, and the wildlife, add to the pleasure of volunteering, very few days have been the same. I have learned so much about the resident and migratory birds and the importance of diversity within the reserve."
Steve Milner, Grounds & Gardening Volunteer, has volunteered with WWT Martin Mere since 2016. Here is what he had to say about his time volunteering with us:
"Having spent a career in the NHS and higher education sectors, retirement gave me a valuable opportunity to spend more time outdoors. I had only visited Martin Mere once before retirement but this made it an obvious choice to enquire about, and apply for, a volunteer opportunity.
An informal chat with the Head Ranger was arranged and it soon became clear that working as a member of the grounds & gardening volunteer team for one full day per week was exactly the opportunity I was looking for. It was explained to me that it included hands on experience with the birds and wildfowl and working to maintain and manage the appearance of the extensive vegetation, trees, fencing and paths to enhance the front-of-house appearance and natural wellbeing across the entire and very extensive WWT Martin Mere site.
Steve
Steve Milner, Grounds & Gardening Volunteer, has volunteered with WWT Martin Mere since 2016. Here is what he had to say about his time volunteering with us:
"Having spent a career in the NHS and higher education sectors, retirement gave me a valuable opportunity to spend more time outdoors. I had only visited Martin Mere once before retirement but this made it an obvious choice to enquire about, and apply for, a volunteer opportunity.
An informal chat with the Head Ranger was arranged and it soon became clear that working as a member of the grounds & gardening volunteer team for one full day per week was exactly the opportunity I was looking for.”
Thank you to all of our volunteers for everything that you do, and if you would like to enquire about volunteering at WWT Martin Mere, send us an email on info.martinmere@wwt.org.uk
