This week (1-7 June), which marks national Volunteers’ Week, the Cotswold Lakes Trust is celebrating the contribution of our many volunteers who give their time so generously, and who play a key role in the Trust’s impact on environmental conservation across the Cotswold Lakes.
Conservation volunteers
Volunteers are at the heart of everything CLT does, supporting a wide range of activities: working alongside rangers to care for nature reserves and country parks; helping visitors to make the most of their time at the information centre; as well as supporting events throughout the year such as open water swims and runs.
The Trust also benefits from the expertise of its volunteer Trustees, who give their time to guide strategy and oversee operations.
Jim Viney has been volunteering with the Trust for over 20 years and explains how he got involved:
“I started volunteering 20 years ago after a career that was based mainly inside factories and offices. I wanted to have something productive to do with my time and also to be nature based in the outdoors.
I joined the ranger team for three days a week, getting involved in day to day tasks such as scrub clearance, grass cutting, fence building and hedge planting.
I now spend half a day a week logging all the bird sightings made in the Cotswold Lakes region and occasionally I help at events held by the Trust such as car parking or marshalling.”
Jim Viney collating bird sightings
Like Jim, some of our longest-serving volunteers have been supporting the Trust for over a decade. Our volunteers’ commitment highlights the essential role volunteers play in helping the Trust protect wildlife and create memorable experiences for visitors.
Retired haulier Roger Woodhouse has been volunteering with CLT for 15 years. He now helps out at the Cotswold Lakes Visitor Centre, which is jointly run by volunteers from CLT and the Cotswold Canals Trust. Roger says:
“The rewarding part of volunteering is supporting a great organisation like the Cotswold Lakes Trust and also being part of a team helping the many visitors we meet looking for local information. I would recommend joining if you like meeting people.”
Lynton and Karen Mogridge are also regular volunteers at the visitor centre and have volunteered for over 15 years, and former teacher Peter Jay has volunteered with the Trust for over 20 years.
They all enjoy meeting people and helping them to get the best out of their stay in the Cotswold Lakes.
Jane Miller, who previously worked in journalism and tourism and also helps out at the visitor centre, says:
“I enjoy meeting people from all over the country and overseas. It’s a very pleasant place to volunteer – overlooking a lovely lake, almost like being on holiday!”
Many of our Visitor Centre volunteers have previously helped the ranger teams with conservation tasks across the Lakes area, looking after the reserves and helping nature to flourish.
Peter, Lynton, Jane and Roger – some of our longest-serving volunteers
How to get involved
Our volunteering opportunities are open to everyone, with no prior experience required. Volunteering offers the chance to learn new skills such as nature reserve management and customer service, which can be particularly valuable for those seeking employment. Volunteers also benefit from improved health and wellbeing through physical activity and time spent in nature, which is widely recognised as supporting mental health. Just as importantly, volunteering provides a sociable and rewarding experience, helping people connect, reduce isolation and enjoy being part of a team.
We have opportunities ranging from conservation work and helping visitors, to marshalling at events and water sports activities.
If you’d like to get involved, you can find more details about our volunteering opportunities on our Volunteering page.