A love of the outdoors…

If you love the outdoors and you’re looking for somewhere to volunteer with a bit of friendly camaraderie, then South West Lakes Trust’s Burrator Discovery Centre might be just what you need. SWLT Burrator volunteers won first prize at the Dartmoor Awards last summer, and were presented with the Edward Morshead trophy by Dartmoor National Park in recognition of their contribution to ‘conserving and enhancing the scenic beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of Dartmoor as well as helping others to understand and enjoy the area’s special qualities’.

I went to meet some of the volunteers and it seems that once you start at Burrator it’s easy to get hooked! Syd Jamieson retired three years ago and just popped into the Discovery Centre one day to look round – he has been volunteering there regularly ever since. Similarly, Mike Glinn and Glen Preston took retirement, but missed the company and were looking for something to keep them busy and active without the hassle of paid work. Volunteering seemed to fit the bill, and the constant gentle banter amongst the group is certainly a great indicator that ‘job’ satisfaction is being met. They are all regular volunteers at Burrator, making use of their past skills and ingenuity to repair, invent and build equipment and facilities for the centre, as well as anything else required such as tree felling, brush cutting, making charcoal to sell at SWLT venues and even laying Halloween trails for young visitors. More than 60 people a month now take part in regular volunteer activities at Burrator, including groups of volunteers with learning disabilities and mental health difficulties.  SWLT work in regular partnership with Plymouth and Ivybridge Dove Projects, Active for Life, West Devon Explorer Scouts, and students from Plymouth University, who benefit from the outdoor activity while making a significant contribution to the work of the trust.

Burrator Discovery Centre has gone from strength to strength since it opened and Emily Cannon, who was appointed as Burrator heritage learning officer in 2013, has been a key figure in its development. Described as a ‘force of nature’ by one of the volunteers, she seems to have boundless energy to organise and support a wealth of volunteer activity including project teams, conservation groups, visitor guides at the Discovery Centre and volunteers who facilitate educational visits, family wildlife sessions, school holiday sessions, as well as guided walks, talks and events. Over the years the volunteers’ achievements have benefited both the environment and a host of visitors – what’s more the volunteers themselves get a lot out of the experience as well, whether it’s just enjoying working in the fresh air with good company, or learning new skills and gaining valuable work experience. Hayley, a graduate in conservation biology and Ben, a biology graduate, have been volunteering at Burrator since finishing at university, making practical use of their knowledge to help with outdoor education for family groups, schools and holiday activities. Helping children to enjoy and interpret the natural world around them, has been extremely rewarding and what is more, the work experience has also resulted in Hayley securing an apprenticeship with Devon Wildlife Trust.

If you would like to find out more about volunteering at Burrator Discovery Centre (PL20 6PE) please drop in to the centre, call 01822 855700 or email heritage@swlakestrust.org.uk