Volunteer Week 2025 - Your Stories
During Volunteers' Week 2025, we’re celebrating the incredible impact of our dedicated volunteers. Join me to meet four of the hundreds of incredible volunteers who give their time so willingly to nature conservation and hear more about why they volunteer. Their stories highlight the passion, resilience, and commitment of everyone who goes above and beyond to make a difference for nature here in Northern Ireland.
Melanie Wolfenden began her volunteering journey with Ulster Wildlife giving her time to native oyster restoration in the summer of 2022. Melanie extended her commitment to volunteering with the Membership Team at the main office in Belfast, helping with the essential administrative work that keeps the charity moving!
What inspired you to first start volunteering with Ulster Wildlife?
My office desk looked out onto the Belfast Hills and many days I dreamed about spending more time outdoors and making a difference to the natural world. I was a member of Ulster Wildlife having a strong interest in conservation and regeneration but not having time to commit to any projects. When I retired, I looked on the website and easily found information on volunteering and an email link. I was contacted in no time and organised with a taster session. I enjoyed the session and quickly found information about a marine project, the Native Oyster Restoration project based at Bangor marina. This really interested me and I was again quickly offered a training session and haven't looked back.
Tell us about a memorable moment from your time as a volunteer?
I will always recall standing on pontoons hearing sound of wind on the boats, gulls circling and general chatter interspersed with laughter especially when unexpectedly someone is hit in the face with a jet of water from a sea squirt!
How has volunteering impacted you personally?
The volunteer support was excellent and continues. I get a real sense of satisfaction from assisting with the project and the Ulster Wildlife team and the students are inspiring with their knowledge and enthusiasm for the marine world. Meeting other volunteers who have become friends has been an added bonus and we have great craic together whilst working as a team and not to forget the hot flask and hobnobs especially welcome on cold and wet days.
What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for the first time?
Give it a go! Volunteering has a well-supported process in Ulster Wildlife and you'll meet a diverse range of interesting people but all with a common goal protecting and enhancing wildlife and the natural environment. You always switch off to daily hassles when engaged with the tasks and people with you and you feel a sense of achievement after a session which is all good for wellbeing.
David Littlejohn has been volunteering at our Bog Meadows Nature Reserve since last year. David devotes his time to our community garden at the site, focusing on wildlife friendly gardening practices to welcome nature in. Situated in West Belfast this green oasis - a mosaic of species-rich meadows, reedbeds, ponds and hedgerows - is a huge asset for local people and wildlife, and provides great opportunities to enjoy nature in the city.
What inspired you to first start volunteering with Ulster Wildlife?
I wanted to do my bit to help with wildlife because I felt too much habitat is being taken away. Flora and fauna are so vital.
Tell us about a memorable moment from your time as a volunteer?
Completing some of the many tasks that will hopefully have an impact on Wildlife.
How has volunteering impacted you personally?
Volunteering has impacted immensely on my physical and mental well-being and given me an opportunity to meet new people.
What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for the first time?
You will not need any special skills although if you have that would be great, but there will be plenty of knowledgeable people who are willing to share their knowledge and your own skillset will be increased.
Meet Paul Williams. Paul has been volunteering at Balloo Nature Reserve in Bangor since early 2023. Nature Reserves volunteers help with tasks such as habitat management, species monitoring and invasive species removal. Nature Reserves provide vital habitats for wildlife, protect species and habitats, and serve as a foundation for nature's recovery.
What inspired you to first start volunteering with Ulster Wildlife?
I saw a BBC NI story about Ulster Wildlife helping with barn owls and I love owls. I looked into the work done by Ulster Wildlife and wanted to get involved.
Tell us about a memorable moment from your time as a volunteer?
Helping out for a day with barn owl boxes is a stand out memory but I have so many good memories and more are being made as my time volunteering goes on.
How has volunteering impacted you personally?
Giving something back and making a positive contribution to helping the work of Ulster Wildlife is extremely rewarding and great for my overall wellbeing. I have so much respect for the people I have met and they have all been very welcoming and fun to be with.
What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for the first time?
Do it! It's the highlight of my week. Any time you can give is always appreciated and you can make a difference regardless of age.
Volunteering with the peatlands team since march 2024 Elaine Armstrong is involved with bird surveys and restoration work An Creagán. Restoring peatlands at scale and at pace is essential ensure the multiple benefits peatlands provide are protected and enhanced - volunteers are a key part of these efforts.
What inspired you to first start volunteering with Ulster Wildlife?
I currently work full time for an environmental charity, but most of my work is desk based so this was the perfect opportunity to get out more and do something positive for the environment while getting some on the ground experience. The fact it’s right on my doorstep is even better!
Tell us about a memorable moment from your time as a volunteer?
I grew up listening to both of my parents recounting hearing the curlew when they were younger but how it had since disappeared from the area. I was amazed to hear it out surveying and getting to share that moment with my daddy is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
How has volunteering impacted you personally?
I’ve definitely gained more of an appreciation for what’s on my doorstep – I always thought that nature had depleted greatly in this area of Tyrone but going out volunteering has thankfully proven me to be very wrong!
What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering for the first time?
Volunteering is a great way to learn, discover new places that (like me!) you might drive past every day and pass no remarks on as well as give back to your local community and environment.