Arlene Du Preez

What do you do as a volunteer?

I have been volunteering with a local conservation group, restoring, and maintaining a small woodland in a residential area. This involves removing dense overgrown vegetation e.g., brambles, to allow regrowth of other plants, tree planting, hedge laying, coppicing, a traditional method of woodland management, hazel is the predominant species that we use.

What inspired you to volunteer?

Although I’m combing full-time work with part-time study, I’ve always been interested in conservation volunteering but due to various factors hadn’t got involved until 2017.  I saw a post on social media about a volunteer event in the Cairngorms on mountain path restoration. Went along, despite getting covered in mud and hard work, I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Now, wherever I am and can fit into my schedule, I will do some volunteering.

What are the benefits to you and your community of volunteering?

We often forget how fortunate we are in the UK with our education and health. To me, I see it as a way to give something back to the community.

When a resident stops, comments on the improvements and says thank you. You appreciate how people are benefiting from the work you are doing. It’s enhancing the green space for them to walk and enjoy.

What do you gain from it?

I find it very rewarding. When you walk through the wood in Spring, seeing a carpet of bluebells and other wildflowers growing, where previously little vegetation had been growing. You have been part of a team that’s helped restore a small part of nature and improve its biodiversity. We can’t continue to keep taking from nature, we need to restore the imbalance.

Why should other students try it too?

Volunteering provides an opportunity to work in areas you consider as future career, gain skills, and increase knowledge. For students living away from home, it’s a great way to meet new people with similar interests.

In these unprecedent times, charity organisations, more than ever, need volunteers, if all you can give is 3 hours a month, than can make a big difference to them.

What impact has Covid-19 had on your role as a volunteer?

Covid-19 has had an impact of me being able to volunteer. Pre-covid, we worked in large groups and would all gather for a tea break and chat.  When the tier system was introduced, we were separated into very small groups following covid safety measures and mixing less.

However, during the lockdowns, work has been suspended until the government announces lifting of restrictions. Another part of life that has been put on hold.