In a nutshell, I would recommend everyone volunteering somewhere for something, even if their lives are busy and stressful and in that case particularly so. 

Even an hour a month can give a person something to look forward to, a positive experience in a stressful world. 

I began volunteering in 1998, during a hectic and stressful nursing career; not in further caring duties as you might imagine, but in farm related tasks! 

At first helping a friend’s family on their smallholding, and soon after on a large college farm.  Greater experience then led to voluntary farm sitting situations while owners were on holiday.  Due to the opportunities that volunteering opened up, I achieved a lifelong dream of becoming a fully trained shepherd.  Livestock work utilised caring skills I already had, but it was an enjoyable world away from ‘real life’ for me. 

Later, it was also the lifeline I needed when dealing with some very difficult, personally stressful, situations.  It gave me that ‘time-out’ to think and cope day to day.

Luckily for me, Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT) decided to utilise sheep to assist with conservation grazing, and later cattle too. 

They advertised for volunteer livestock checkers to undertake daily checks ensuring the livestock health and welfare could be maintained to a high standard; and I started volunteering for GWT within this role in December 2010, nearly 12 years ago! 

I live in a city, which I like; but it’s also vital for me to get out into the countryside and fresh air regularly; to clear my mind of urban clutter. 

To freely wander among green fields in such a beautiful landscape is amazing, and of course I get to spend time with the sheep.  Sometimes you might meet several fellow walkers there, but often it’s just you and the birds. 

I’ve seen deer, foxes and even a badger in the reserve; not to mention lots of rabbits. 

As an experienced volunteer within the shepherds’/livestock checkers’ group, I’ve been able to assist with inductions of new members, and have had input into the documentation and administration of such from a volunteer’s viewpoint.  I’ve more recently been privileged to lead a walk around the farm reserve, with GWT corporate members; explaining the role of conservation within a farm setting, the benefits of livestock, and showing some examples of flora and fauna that thrive within the landscape. 

Highlights for me have been when various filming has taken place on the site, and I’ve been hugely privileged to be involved in a number of ways; helping everything to go as smoothly as possible.  But even just to be able to watch the process is an education!  Another interesting diversion was helping out with an Open Farm Sunday event.  Incredibly hard work throughout, but hugely enjoyable from start to finish working with a team of staff and other volunteers.

But the thing that keeps me wanting to continue mostly I think (apart from the sheep!), is the camaraderie and friendships.  I’ve gained many good friends that I’ve met from volunteering.  Just being on site can lead to an interesting conversation with someone walking their dog or undertaking other volunteering activities; which can lead to other opportunities if so wished.  I’ve met many fascinating people with such diverse interests, that I never would have were it not for my volunteer role within GWT. 

None of this would have been possible without the fantastic Gwent Wildlife Trust staff.  Having been made to feel very welcome and fully supported from day one, that’s continued despite many staff and process changes.  Volunteers are not just appreciated but treated with great respect. I’ve always liked the Trust's ethos and it was one of the reasons for choosing to volunteer with them. I’ve been proactively offered opportunities to take on new challenges, if so wished, without feeling I had to say yes. 

I look forward to an interesting summer!