Supporting our wonderful volunteers and saying “thank you”

Supporting our wonderful volunteers and saying “thank you”

December 4, 2020

As we mark International Volunteer Day this month, Daniel Greenwood, Volunteer Development Officer, reflects on 2020 and looks forward to greener pastures next year.

The impact of the pandemic on volunteers and the environmental sector has been immense, with many volunteer programmes halted by emergency measures to protect people from the spread of Covid-19.

In the South Downs National Park, our volunteers have been unable to complete tasks that protect and enhance the landscapes of the South Downs due to social distancing and restrictions on travel. Volunteering is a big part of people’s lives, and losing that social and physical outlet is difficult.

However, across the UK over 500,000 people signed up for the NHS volunteering project to support their communities during the early moments of the pandemic. It was heartening to see that when the going gets tough, people look to volunteer and help other people. In terms of supporting volunteers, the huge demand for volunteering also showed us that volunteers want a good experience when they take on a role. It’s not enough to expect someone to give their time selflessly, there must be a mutual benefit, of no monetary value. A volunteer who takes on a role deserves to be supported and respected, just as they do by showing up and donating their time, expertise and energy.

The South Downs National Park gives strong support to its volunteers and it’s something I’m very proud of. Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers who give so much to the National Park and keep it a special place

On International Volunteer Day, it’s important to remember that volunteers deserve recognition in their roles and by those they serve, not just in the general appreciation of their status.

Let’s look forward to next year when hopefully our volunteers can get back out into the landscape in the way they normally do.