Please start by telling us your name and what is your volunteering role at the Essex Wildlife Trust?

I'm Andrew and I've been a Wilder Learning volunteer with Essex Wildlife Trust for the past five and a half years.

Can you tell us what you do as part of your role?

I help support children and families in learning about the great outdoors and themselves in a safe and happy environment where everyone can explore their individual interests. I’ve now become something of an expert in building dens, putting up swings and hammocks, making bows, arrows and quivers, blackberry tie dyeing, making fires and cooking marshmallows! I enjoy helping children use all manner of tools like axes, saws, drills and knives, it's great to help them realise their artistic visions using the natural materials they find. 

What specifically interested you about volunteering with Essex Wildlife Trust?

Initially I signed up to do conservation tasks but very quickly got hooked on the idea of Wilder Learning and working with children and young people. I always look forward with great enthusiasm to Forest School days, Holiday Club days, Family days and Bat walks. The children and young people I meet really are a pleasure to work with and are quite an inspiration to me to continue volunteering.

What has your volunteering role done for you and how does volunteering make you feel?

I've thoroughly enjoyed myself in this role and have met some wonderful people who have supported me develop my Wilder Learning skills. I've even completed my level three Forest School qualification that took me 9 days of practical learning and 42,000 words of project writing. 

What would you say to someone considering volunteering?

"Just do it!" You'll have some very rewarding experiences and get to know some really amazing people.