I retired nearly 17 years ago and having never volunteered during my working life wanted to give something back, plus give myself an interest. I ended up as a trustee and secretary for the Friends of Beaumont Park. Continue reading “Ed’s story – Life as a Trustee of Natural Kirklees”
“We’ve been out together, various groups of us, doing some litter picking, some habitat management, bashing brambles and putting up bits of fencing… It’s been very good, because we’ve felt we’re doing something good for the area.” Continue reading “Sally’s story – I’d rather get out there and do things”
“For many years walking around the Pit Hill and enjoying walks here, I felt it could be improved much more for nature and the local community. So I started inviting my neighbours and local people to come and collect litter… Continue reading “Viv’s story – Improving our area for people and nature”
My main motivation for getting involved is to have pride in where I live. This was my inspiration to bring like-minded people together to carry out improvements around all the villages around Holmfirth, in a variety of ways. Continue reading “Win’s story – Growing pride in Holmfirth”
I was at a community anchor meeting and people were saying, “what do you think we should do, now we’re coming out of Covid?”. And I said, what I’d like is a field and a load of people from the local community, and I’d like to have an allotment where we could just grow and share food in the community. Continue reading “Chrissie’s story – How I got hooked on an idea for an allotment”
Like many people during the pandemic lockdown, I started going on walks near where I lived. To breathe in the air, from being couped up inside all that time, was really important. Caulms Wood was just there.
Continue reading “Melissa’s story: Growing friendships in Caulms Wood”
I originally began visiting the orchard at Paddock because it felt good to be outside during the first Covid lockdown in Spring 2020. The apple trees were quite overgrown so I began clearing brambles and enjoyed being among nature and listening to the birds. Continue reading “Richard’s story: Seeing something that sparks your interest”
I’ve been a volunteer with Colne Valley Tree Society for 15 years. After work, getting outside in the fresh air is relaxing and helps with positive mental health. Continue reading “Duncan’s story: Growing a sense of community from an empty field”
Chatting with a small group of neighbours, we discussed how to get to know more people locally. We also wanted to keep Jo Cox’s legacy alive so decided to do a Great Get Together event back in 2017. We met outdoors with food, drink, music, games and children’s activities. Continue reading “Lorna’s story: Creating space for people and nature”
If I told you that receiving a jar of flowers with her shopping inspired a lady to get out her brushes and begin painting again, I think you’d be hard pressed to believe it. But that happened. A small act of kindness for someone who was feeling alone and unmotivated during the pandemic, was a reminder that she’s not forgotten and that somebody out here cares.
Continue reading “Vicky’s story: Little circles of kindness”
Twenty-five years ago, a few of us formed the Milnsbridge Enhancement Group [MEG] to improve our village, Milnsbridge – once the heart of the thriving woollen industry but in decline at the end of the 20th Century. Continue reading “Jeremy’s story: Volunteering and fundraising with the Milnsbridge Enhancement Group”
