Meet our volunteers: Bronwen Fraser

Our team of volunteers are the heart of Avon Needs Trees, and our work creating new, permanent woodlands simply would not be possible without their dedication. With this in mind, we want to highlight some of the amazing work they do to help us further along our mission.

This month we caught up with Bronwen Fraser to find out more about her experience as an Avon Needs Trees volunteer, what she enjoys most about volunteering, and how it has supported her career in the green sector. Bronwen has been volunteering with us for a year now, and is one of our inspiring Volunteer Leaders at our Great Avon Wood site.

Hi Bronwen! How did you first find out about Avon Needs Trees?

“I was searching online for volunteering opportunities in the Bristol area and came across the ANT website.”

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

“I love cycling out to Great Avon Wood first thing in the morning, armed with wellies, warm clothes and a flask of hot tea, to meet my fellow Volunteer Leaders and get the site ready for the day. Avon Needs Trees fosters a really caring, positive atmosphere and it’s a joy to be part of the team.

Each day of volunteering is so rejuvenating: spending time out in nature surrounded by the smell of soil and the sound of the wind, meeting people from all different walks of life and having lots of interesting conversations, being part of the camaraderie and warmth of the volunteer community, having a good laugh, and even getting completely plastered in mud is oddly liberating!

There is a real sense of achievement and purpose in working together to complete each day’s planting plan with determination and a good sense of humour. It’s also incredibly rewarding to support others to get stuck in, and seeing them experience the joy of tree planting. By the end of a day of volunteering I always feel tired but incredibly happy, knowing that I have not only had enormous fun, but have also made a positive contribution to my local area, community, and to the future.”

Why do you support Avon Needs Trees?

“ANT is a remarkable charity in lots of ways – perhaps most obviously in its meteoric growth and amazing achievements in the space of just five years, but just as importantly, in the care, attention and effort behind the scenes that goes into making everything work in such a positive and unique way.

ANT is doing a phenomenal job in creating new woodlands, but I think what makes it really special is its commitment to supporting people to connect with nature: supporting thousands of volunteers to get involved in making the woods a reality, helping disadvantaged communities to access the natural world, and providing much-needed training opportunities for entry into the conservation sector as well as fantastic local green jobs. I don’t know of any other charity that is so proactive on this front, nor so dedicated to providing a safe, supportive and positive volunteering experience.

The attention to detail is amazing, from the detailed handover plans and carefully crafted training programme for Volunteer Leaders, to the thought that goes into securing clean, comfortable compost toilets, snacks, and hot drinks on site! All of these things really make a difference to helping volunteers feel supported and cared for, which I think is particularly important for those who are less confident in exploring the countryside.

Having something like this very locally, where people can easily access the sites and feel empowered to make a tangible difference in their local area, is so important. In short, I support ANT because their work to get people out into nature and create new woodlands close to major urban areas is a hugely important mission and is delivered with unmatched energy, care and commitment.”

Do you have a favourite volunteering memory you’d like to share?

“There are so many to choose from, it’s hard to pick one favourite! It might have to be my very first day of volunteering with ANT, before I became a Volunteer Leader. It was a Tree Care Day on a glorious September day last autumn, and I remember it as just being an incredibly happy, positive experience. There was a real sense of shared joy in looking after the young trees, and the satisfaction of collecting seeds, berries and rosehips from the hedgerows which were gathered in tea mugs like cups of jewels. I completely got the bug and the rest is history.”

How has volunteering with Avon Needs Trees helped you to gain employment in the green sector?

“I was already working in the Green Sector before I started volunteering with ANT, but working as a Volunteer Leader has undoubtedly enhanced my CV and has helped me to develop important skills in leading groups of volunteers and managing health and safety, and I’ve also learned a lot about woodland creation, all of which have been invaluable for my career development.”

Thank you to Bronwen for taking the time to chat with us, and for your tree-mendous contribution to our work at Avon Needs Trees! If you are feeling inspired by Bronwen’s story, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with volunteering, which you can find on our Volunteer Portal. We are also recruiting more Volunteer Leaders to support us for our upcoming tree planting season this winter. You can out more about the different volunteer roles, and how to sign up here.