This New Year, blow away the Christmas haze with a fun family day out at the Chesil Beach Centre’s January sale, or burn off some calories on a volunteering activity with Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT).
Volunteering tasks range from getting dirty and up-close with practical conservation work on reserves, to providing administrative support in the office, or helping run events at visitor centres.
Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Volunteering Manager, Steve Davis said, “Volunteers are vital to the organisation and help us carry out our important conservation work. Volunteering can bring personal satisfaction too – whether it’s learning a new skill, making new friends and keeping fit or simply being closer to nature, there’s something for everyone, no matter where you live in Dorset.”
Pat Jefferies has been volunteering at Lorton Meadows conservation centre since May 2013. He said, “I was offered the chance to do butterfly transects at Lorton Meadows, and after a few weeks I started helping to look after the office or shop during events. Now I also help out with social media for the Trust. It has given me a massive sense of satisfaction, achievement and the motivation to learn more. I can be as involved as much or as little as I want to be.”
For another great way to start the New Year, you can help wildlife in Dorset at the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre January Sale (4thand 5thJanuary 2014) where all profits go straight back into important conservation work in Dorset.
Chesil Beach Centre Manager, Emily Brown, said, “Heading down to the Chesil Centre for some last minute Christmas shopping or bargains in the New Year, is a great day out. There is a great range of wildlife inspired products, for adults and children, including bird food and feeders, books, bug catching kits, puzzles, toys and beautiful ornaments from gemstone trees to dolphins. After all that shopping, enjoy some good food and drinks at the Taste* cafe and experience the visitor centre, before heading out to explore the spectacular Chesil Beach!”
For more information about volunteering, please visit https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/volunteering or contact us on 01202 642788.
To find out about all our volunteering events, visit www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/events.
The Chesil Beach January sale is from Saturday 4th January to Sunday 5th January from 10am until 4pm at the Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre, A354 Portland Road, Weymouth DT4 9XE. For more information, contact the Centre on 01305 206191.
Volunteering tasks near you:
East Dorset: The Urban Weekenders is a monthly practical conservation task at Upton Heath on Sunday mornings. The next meeting is Sunday 26thJanuary 2014 from 10am. For more information, contact Nicky Hoar on 01202 692033.
East Dorset: Practical work volunteers are needed at Sovell Down. The next work party is on the 11thJanuary, 10am-4pm. Contact Steve Claxton on 07967032626 for more information.
Marine volunteering: If you have an interest in the marine world, there are positions available for a volunteer marine warden at Kimmeridge. To find out more, an open session will be held on Saturday 25thJanuary. You can contact the marine team for more information on 01929 481044.
West Dorset: Lorton Meadows conservation centre are running practical outdoor tasks on the following dates, from 10am-3pm. 15thand 29thJanuary, 12thand 26thFebruary and 12thand 26thMarch 2014. For more information, phone 01305 816546.
West Dorset volunteer party held on various dates throughout the year. First events held on Tuesday 7thThursday 9thJanuary. For more information, phone Steve Masters on 07557561624.
Mid Dorset: North Dorset volunteer work party takes place on Sunday 19thJanuary. For more information, contact Steve Oliver on 07824874273.
Isle of Purbeck Mid-week volunteers. Phone warden James Hitchen on 07436157328 for more information.
