Volunteering
 Would you like to get involved?There are over 250 volunteers involved in many activities at Westonbirt and their help is vital in supporting this national treasure. If you are a member, you too could make a valuable contribution to Westonbirt, The National Arboretum. Jim's Story At 42 Jim had just had a triple heart bypass operation and as part of his Phase II rehabilitation, came along for a six month course of outdoor activity. He joined the working party as they set about bordering a muddy path with a variety of logs and felled timber. The volunteer supervisor, Hazel, found him puffing and blowing as he heaved a piece of tree trunk onto the path. "Take a breather" she said. There is often time to pause and enjoy the surroundings. Six months later Jim was helping with the trees, moving logs around on his own and declared that he was fitter than he had ever been, all thanks to the new found vitality he had achieved through being involved with volunteer working parties. Joyce's Story "Having spent most of my working life in an office and being happier outdoors and in the countryside, the working parties seemed like the perfect opportunity," she says. "We turn up in all weathers and carry out a variety of maintenance tasks within the Arboretum. It is great to be working with like minded people who appreciate the beauty around them, who will go out of their way during the course of their work to avoid crushing flowers, fungi and insects and who are as thrilled as I am to be building bonfires, coppicing, learning new skills such as dry stone walling and hedge laying or clearing and puddling clay in the dew pond – gosh we got really really muddy doing that, we work together as a team and have some fun. Yes, sometimes I get very wet and dirty and discover muscles I didn’t know existed, but the pleasure of working in the woodland, hearing the bird song and seeing the various colours as the seasons change is a joy and privilege." To find out more about the working parties or any of the volunteer opportunities which take place on Mondays and Thursdays each week please contact Cheryl Pearson Volunteer Co-ordinator, Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum on 01666 880 148. Volunteers help in many ways including:  Welcoming visitors and giving information .....Practical grounds maintenance..... Helping children to appreciate Westonbirt and its wildlife ...... Helping the events team....Leading Guided Walks in the grounds. Find out how you could help, by contacting: Cheryl Pearson, Volunteer Co-ordinator.
Telephone: 01666 880 148
email: volunteering@fowa.org.uk
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