Wilder Horsham District – our volunteer stories

Volunteers are integral to our Wilder Horsham District partnership work.

The programme, which is a collaboration between the Council and Sussex Wildlife Trust, supports nature recovery and biodiversity in the District. The team facilitates volunteer work party groups who help undertake work to create and improve habitats.

We heard from some of the fantastic volunteers who get hands on with conservation tasks such as enhancing scrub, clearing invasive species and creating wetland areas.

Jacqui (pictured below) volunteers with a friend. She said:

“I worked in the NHS for 40 years, brought up a family and cared for elderly parents so didn't have time to volunteer until I retired. I find being with nature very relaxing as it gives one's brain a break. I volunteer with Wilder Horsham District as it’s close to home: I car-share to the work sites with a friend.

Cami says it’s great for mental health:
“I can’t say enough good things about my experiences volunteering. The Wilder Horsham District team makes the whole process easy: thorough directions for finding the various locations, tools and equipment provided, and biscuits in abundance!

I’ve had the opportunity to do so many different tasks I wouldn’t get to do anywhere else and didn't need to worry about being an expert in anything. It's been great for my mental health and to feel like I can make a difference in something I am passionate about in my spare time or on a work volunteer day.”

Toby appreciates time in nature:

“My job is desk-based so I’m very happy to get out into nature when I can. My company’s flexible working policy means that I can bank hours and then set aside a weekday to volunteer."

He continued: "The best thing about being out with Wilder Horsham District is meeting people who share an interest in helping nature: we learn a lot from each other as well as about the different species that live in the local area.”

Thank you!

Our volunteers are a vital part of the Wilder Horsham District project team, enabling us to hugely increase the impact of nature recovery work.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has volunteered with us so far and extend an invitation to all who wish to join us – we always love to welcome new faces.