Natural England - Helen Kerr - Office volunteer

Helen Kerr - Office volunteer

Helen Kerr had a three-month voluntary placement with Natural England's Yorkshire and the Humber Region when she was in her final year of a BSc in Countryside Management at Bishop Burton College near Beverley in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Helen Kerr

Volunteering for a conservation organisation is commonly linked with carrying out practical management tasks such as scrub clearance or tree planting. However, Helen never once picked up a shovel or put on her wellies during her time with Natural England.

Based at the Wakefield Team Office in West Yorkshire, Helen spent most of her time at a computer and talking on the telephone to staff in other Area Teams.

This is what Helen had to say: "I had been looking for a summer job that would help me towards a future career in conservation and, when I heard about the voluntary position at Wakefield, I accepted it without hesitation. My role involved the development of a national database of information on the volunteers who support Natural England’s work”.

You might think that an office-based voluntary position would quickly lose its appeal but Helen says she found her placement very rewarding, “I have picked up a wealth of experience in database development and had some training in the use of Geographic Information Systems. I also had access to the team’s displays of literature and their well-stocked library – great for getting to know more about the organisation and the work it does for nature conservation.”

Helen liked the atmosphere and felt part of the team in the Wakefield Office, “I felt that my voluntary contribution was valued and respected by the staff and I really enjoyed being involved in the social events they regularly arrange. I’ll miss everyone when I go back to Bishop Burton!”

After Helen had returned to her studies, she wrote: “I would recommend volunteering to anyone as it can open up opportunities and broaden your horizons. It helps you to become ‘one step ahead’ of the competition, and the more varied your voluntary experience the better!”