“If you’re thinking of volunteering, go for it, dip your toes in!” – Josh’s Story
Josh is passionate about local conservation and aspires to work in the environmental sector in the future. Until then, he stays connected to nature by volunteering his spare time to support habitat restoration projects such as those taking place in the Medlock Valley. Over the past few years, Josh has developed a variety of valuable skills through both work and volunteering, shaping his confidence and expanding his knowledge of nature and the environment.
A career with roots
Josh’s passion for habitat conservation was established when he began working at Groundwork as an Environmental Project Support Officer as part of the government’s Kickstart scheme. During his 6-month paid placement, although Josh was mainly office based, his work supported the Resilient River Valleys team to deliver a variety of events and activities which increased nature in urban areas.
“My Kickstart role and volunteering has helped my confidence loads! I find it much easier to speak up when I need help. I learnt a lot during my time in that role, from communicating with external stakeholders to honing my Excel skills. I use those things daily now in my current job.”
That Kickstart placement gave Josh a solid foundation in communication and practical office skills, everything from stakeholder engagement to data handling, which continue to benefit him in his professional life.
Hands-on conservation skills
Josh has been volunteering for over three years, getting involved in various nature projects across Manchester through organisations like City of Trees and has become a regular volunteer on the Medlock Valley project, attending monthly sessions at Lees Brook Nature Park. During these sessions Josh has developed essential hands-on skills including tree identification, invasive species removal and pond management.
“During these sessions, I’ve learned loads of skills, like how to rock a pair of waders! But also more serious things like invasive species control, pulling up Himalayan Balsam, plant identification like spotting ash trees, and being aware of your surroundings in flowing water and wooded areas.”
Josh also gained a deeper understanding of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) and their environmental impact:
“During volunteering, I’ve been able to identify INNS and understand how they’re harmful to our native species. That kind of practical knowledge sticks with you.”
Connecting with the wider community
When asked what his favourite part of volunteering is, Josh didn’t hesitate:
“Meeting new people from all walks of life! It always makes volunteering more interesting when working with different types of people”
Volunteering has boosted Josh’s communication skills and personal confidence. Through Groundwork events, he’s found a space to connect with others who share his values and passion:
“Meeting likeminded people allows me to be myself and feel part of something bigger. It’s really rewarding.”
Josh strongly believes that everyone should do their part to live sustainably and take part in green initiatives:
“The climate crisis is a real issue that will only get worse for future generations if ignored. Everyone can play a role in protecting the environment.”
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Josh remains committed to conservation, and it’s clear his heart lies with nature:
“I’d certainly consider an opportunity in a role closer to nature or in conservation. It would be a chance to combat biodiversity loss, get out in nature and have a tangible positive impact on greenspaces.”
He also had a message for anyone thinking of getting involved in environmental volunteering:
“If you’re thinking of volunteering, go for it, dip your toes in! Volunteering days are a chance to get away from your desk and provide a hands-on way to engage with or improve a community. And when it comes to environmental volunteering specifically? Don’t be afraid to get muddy!”