This week marks Volunteers’ Week so we would like to take a moment to say a massive thank you to all our fantastic volunteers for their continued support and dedication.

In this instalment of volunteer stories, we hear from some of our Young Leaders.

Our Young Leaders are a team of 20 volunteers based across Scotland, aged between 18-30. This volunteer group was established back in 2018, with the aim of integrating young voices into the work the Trust does, as well as helping the Trust engage with more young people. We piloted the programme for an initial eight months, and seven years later, the team is still going from strength to strength!

The Young Leaders’ very existence makes our work more accessible to other young people. The team works hard during their fortnightly meetings to decide on the tasks and projects that will best help the us achieve our vision, as well as ensuring young voices are heard along the way.

Read on to hear from some of our brilliant Young Leaders!

 

Jessie Sheridan 

“Being a Young Leader is something I am immensely proud of. It’s been an incredible opportunity to meet other like minded people and it has opened doors I couldn’t have expected – including several evenings at the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace, countless reserves, conferences, events, talks – you name it!

It has instilled a sense of responsibility in a profound way; I look around at other young leaders and know that in future – it’ll be up to us. Once those, who have paid their dues rightfully retire, it’ll be us standing up for wildlife and making those calls to action to ensure the long-term protection of spaces held dear.

Those I have met at the Trust, I believe will be relationships I have in decades from now. Working and thriving in the sector, all thanks to skills being made today.”

Jessie attending the Trust’s 60th Anniversary parliamentary event © Jessie Sheridan

 

Jonny McMillian 

“Being a part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Young Leader Network has been a wonderful experience full of learning opportunities. I have been able to learn about and speak up for Scotland’s fantastic marine environment through visits to reserves, workshops and conferences.

This rekindled my love for the ocean, which has certainly helped me in becoming a more confident advocate for the ocean and Scotland’s environment and has given me experience and skills, which I have gone on to use throughout my career”

Jonny attending a marine youth event © Andrzej Majdanik/Haicoo Photography & Marine Conservation Society

 

Rebecca Peedle 

“I have been actively volunteering with different organisations (MCR pathways, Scottish Refugee Council and now the Scottish Wildlife trust (to name a few!)) for years.

As a student, volunteering was a great way to get relevant work experience and helped me find my first job. But more than that, a newfound confidence and a feeling of community.

I love how flexible volunteering can be, which has allowed me to volunteer alongside full-time work. It’s amazing to explore other passions you have and that’s what I love about my experience so far with the Trust as a nature lover, I have met like minded people and we are able to collaborate on different projects.

I am looking forward to facilitating upcoming events with the Trust’s at Dumbarnie Links, running some children’s activities, and attending the snorkelling festival at the end of June. I can’t recommend volunteering enough to everyone”

Rebecca and other Young Leaders getting mucky at Montrose Basin © Rachel Faichnie

 

Libby Smith 

“During my time as a Young Leader, I have got involved in many activities. My first in-person meeting involved discussing and contributing to the development of the Young Leaders strategy, following the release of the Young Leader’s Youth Manifesto.

Joining the group has allowed me to keep my connection to wildlife, not only supporting my career prospects, but also helping with my mental and physical health. I am also learning things about science communication and wildlife conservation that I never knew previously and have gained valuable contacts and friends along the way.

Additionally, the group introduced me to other volunteering opportunities, such as becoming a #GenSea volunteer with The Wildlife Trust’s marine youth group” 

Libby making a splash on a reserve trip © Rachel Faichnie

 

Thank you to our Young Leaders.

Find out more about volunteering with the Trust.