I felt nervous arriving at my first session by myself at Coldham’s Brook. I had been aware that Abbey People existed and saw the Coldham’s Brook session on the website so emailed to book a space. Then I became a regular weekly volunteer!
I started volunteering in the Winter 2024 through to Autumn 2025, so I’ve seen all the different seasons in the greenspaces. In the community orchard, we saw the changes of the seasons – from the winter tree pruning to the spring maintenance and then seeing the fruits ready to harvest. The Barnwell Verge project is so public, it’s great for everyone to see the positive progress we have been making throughout the year. Discovering the beautiful, raised beds at the community centre garden was another highlight and growing so many tomatoes and the big courgette!
I enjoyed meeting people I wouldn’t otherwise meet; it’s been very different to the corporate world where I worked before volunteering. Being outdoors every Wednesday morning volunteering has given me a real sense of purpose and been so good for my wellbeing.
Volunteering has been such a learning experience. I’ve learnt so much about chalk streams, pruning trees, litter and waste, what a soil bund is, and even how to make a straw out of chocolate bars with a good cup of tea! Before volunteering I had no idea how important chalk streams are and that there are so many in the UK. It has been so positive and uplifting being able to see the impact of what we have done at the chalk stream. I’ve also learnt things that I can apply to my own garden and allotment, and it’s given me a sense of satisfaction and giving back to my local area. I wouldn’t stop volunteering if I wasn’t starting a new job.
There is real variety with the volunteering greenspaces sessions. Abbey People make it very easy to do volunteering; you have been really welcoming with tea and biscuits!
I worked every day for 30 years, yet volunteering for 2 hours a week has majorly contributed to my sense of purpose.
