Wondering if volunteering is for you? Here are some volunteer testimonials to help you see what benefits volunteering can bring:
Adam Brighton
“I have volunteered with Prospects now for a few years and all my experiences have been positive ones. When I first started volunteering I was looking for work and struggling with being cooped up in the house all day job searching, which really started to affect my mental health. Prospects gave me something to look forward to and take my mind off the monotonous job searching, meeting people from all walks of life and learning from their life experiences and knowledge. Prospects are very family orientated which gave me the chance to involve my daughter on different activities such as tree and flower planting, moth counting, and weeding to name a few of the different experiences we did. I feel as though Prospects bring the community together to take care of the environment and make a difference.”
Gordon Sudworth
“I’m Gordon, a regular volunteer with the Prospects Foundation. I’ve been volunteering with Prospects since September 2019 after retiring following 36 years of teaching science. I am a strong proponent of lifelong learning and Prospects has provided me with many interesting and diverse environmentally related activities which have made a difference in Hyndburn. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the activities and training that I have participated in. They have helped me to stay fit both physically and mentally. I have made many new friends. At the present time I am particularly excited and interested in working with Alice at the Brookside Restoration Project and the TreeACTION Project with Helen. With Helen I have spent the last two seasons tree planting on this project. It feels a very positive project which aims to start tackling climate change locally. We are aiming to regenerate areas of land by tree planting with suitable species which increases biodiversity and also maintaining the sites. In addition, the setting up of the tree nursery which will reduce introducing tree diseases is a great step.
In conclusion I feel very satisfied that I am contributing to the wellbeing of both myself and the community.”
Graeme
“Being in Ossy now for 20 years, how lucky are we to have an amazing space and opportunity on our doorstep! A place where after only 5 mins from my front door I arrive at Brookside. A real community offer for residents of Ossy to get involved in everything nature, to learn, attend events, and volunteer, to meet new people of all ages to build a lasting legacy for the current and future generations to enjoy. ‘Brookside needs you’ so come along and get involved! Getting involved with the Prospects team (under the supervision of Alice), I have learnt about climate change, woodland skills, electrofishing, stream habitant logging including being a volunteer in creating paths, seeding and planting, clearing including pulling up that challenging balsam! All these activities are completely new learning for me. I have felt the benefits both physically and mentally and look forward to what spring and summer will bring from Alice and the Prospects team. Come on Ossy community get involved!”
Jean Baxter
“I’ve been volunteering with Prospects for over 3 years. Having studied Countryside Management as a mature student I was looking for a pro-active environment group to join on retirement. The Prospects Foundation is ever-evolving and has certainly fulfilled all my expectations in that respect. Not only do they have clear management plans for all sites, they provide opportunities to learn new skills and meet like-minded people and I have certainly taken advantage of the many opportunities available, at the same time seeing first-hand the improved habitat from the work that has been carried out. The TreeACTION Project has allowed me the opportunity to work with a number of enthusiastic community groups which is great fun. The TreeACTION Officer Helen has explained the benefits of different species to specific areas and we have already seen a reduction in flooding in areas we have planted trees to assist with drainage. Ongoing tree maintenance sessions allow us to monitor the development of the trees. We now have a tree nursery to allow us to remove native tree species that have seeded in unsuitable areas and replant in appropriate habitat areas.”
Kath
“Growing up in Ossy in the 70s, Brookside was for me and my friends our happy place. Somewhere to go walking, to explore, and to have fun. When I read about the restoration project, I went along to have a nosy and see what was happening, as I had seen for myself that the whole area had become wild, overgrown, and neglected. From the first meeting, I was hooked, and so excited at the idea of turning this area around for family, friends, and neighbours, so that it can become their happy place too.
I have learned new skills, made lots of new friends, and have thoroughly enjoyed the fresh air and nature. I had forgotten what was on my doorstep and I’m excited that we all have this opportunity to make something of this wonderful natural space!”
Lee Seymour
“I have had some fantastic volunteer experiences with the Prospects Foundation, which ultimately led me to seeking a fundamental change in career. Having spent the last 20 years in senior risk and compliance positions within financial services, I’ve now transitioned to a position with Lancashire Wildlife Trust supporting work on a large-scale ‘Landscape Recovery’ project, which is currently within its development phase, across the West Pennine Moors. Working in conservation is something that I’ve always considered, but it was the insight, skill development and enjoyment of volunteering that really led me to take the leap.
The highlights of volunteering with Prospects for me have been sessions linked with wider habitat creation and maintenance projects (e.g. ‘Hyndburn Woodlands – phase 2’, ‘Community Tree Action’, ‘Memorial Park’ and ‘Peel Park Pollinators’). It’s always so rewarding to return to sites following work and to see the impact that your contribution has brought, particularly when this has involved the encouragement of greater biodiversity/ removal of non-native species/ supporting landscape features.
As well as a hugely valuable experience, I also really enjoyed the chance to interact with other like-minded people and build a network of fellow conservationists. My experience of working alongside Prospects colleagues has always been incredibly positive (and rewarding). Each time I have volunteered I have learned new skills, broadened my knowledge and added to my abilities. This has always been fully supported by Prospects colleagues who are always happy to share their expertise and who encourage questions, no matter how silly they may be.
Additionally, communication and session preparation from Prospects is always excellent. As well as the monthly activity calendar, each session I attended was positioned with an email beforehand letting me know everything I would need (where to meet/park, what to wear, etc.). Also, each session came with a detailed briefing on what health & safety considerations there were (as well as providing any relevant PPE), any other risks we should be mindful of, as well as what we were aiming to do in the session and why.
Thanks to all at Prospects!”
