“Don’t be ashamed to volunteer, it’s very relieving because of the self-worth it gives you.” – Travis’ Story
Travis was introduced to volunteering with the Medlock Project by his support worker. At the time, Travis was not able to work in paid employment, so volunteering provided an ideal opportunity for him to remain active, gain structure in his week, and engage in meaningful work within his local area.
Travis initially took part in community volunteering, then worked with our rangers team for a few days on conservation work. He found those sessions quite intense so, after reflecting on his experiences, Travis decided that community-based sessions were a better fit for him, as they offered more opportunities for socialising and building connections with others.
Through volunteering, Travis discovered the benefits of spending time outdoors and contributing to environmental improvement. He particularly enjoyed working with nature and taking part in river and stream clean-ups:
“I enjoyed being outdoors and working with nature and cleaning the rivers/streams.”
The social element of volunteering was also important to Travis. Community sessions helped him meet people with shared interests and feel more connected:
“It was good to make new friends that have similar interests.”
Volunteering with Groundwork and the Medlock Project had a positive impact on Travis’s confidence and outlook. Having a sense of purpose helped him feel more hopeful and motivated about what lies ahead:
“I feel better about my future goals, Groundwork gave me a lot of purpose.”
As part of this ongoing volunteering, Travis intends to keep attending Groundwork sessions in Daisy Nook, helping out with invasive species removal, wildflower planting and other greening activities. Travis is keen to encourage others to consider volunteering, particularly those who may feel unsure or lack confidence:
“Don’t be ashamed to volunteer, it’s very relieving because of the self-worth it gives you.”
Find out more about how we developed green skills across the Medlock Valley: