December 2025

International Volunteer Day is celebrated on 5 December every year. It is a day where volunteers are acknowledged and the spirit of volunteerism is promoted at the local, national and international levels. 

Teri Nicholls (centre in the photo above) is now a Conservation Officer at South West Lakes Trust, but started her career with us as a volunteer in 2020. She shares her story. 

When did you start volunteering with South West Lakes Trust?

I started volunteering with South West Lakes Trust in 2020 

What was your motivation for starting to volunteer?

I have been volunteering for various organisations and local action groups since 2017, gaining as much experience as possible whiles raising a young family, working part-time and studying. When I finished my undergraduate degree, I wanted to continue volunteering within conservation and environmental land management, so I signed up to the Trust.

What did you do as part of your volunteering?

I became a site guardian for Porth Reservoir, carrying out invasive non-native species surveys and management. I also did some desktop research into both Red and Grey squirrels for a possible future project and later carried out botanical meadow surveys at Porth Reservoir for the County Wildlife Site project.

What skills and knowledge did you bring to your volunteer role?

I had studied conservation and ecology at college so was able to apply my skills in Invasive species identification, habitat management and scientific research into the volunteer role. 

Did you gain any new skills or knowledge whilst volunteering?

Becoming a volunteer allowed me to work alongside professionals within the field, putting theory into practice. I gained more hands on practical skills in land management and species identification.

How did your volunteering help you when applying for a role at South West Lakes Trust?

By volunteering I had gained more skills and a little more confidence; so when the opportunity presented itself I decided to take the leap and apply for a role at the Trust. I knew the role I had applied for was going to be challenging – in a good way, pushing me out of my comfort zone –  but as a volunteer I had gained an insight into the charity’s aims and values and knew the team would have been supportive if I was to succeed in getting the role. 

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of applying for a volunteer role at South West Lakes Trust? 

Volunteering at South West Lakes Trust is a rewarding role that you can gain as much or as little as you want out of. My advice would be – if you are thinking about it, apply. It is a super flexible way of gaining new skills, sharing knowledge and meeting new people.

What was your favourite aspect of your volunteer role?

Volunteering alongside like-minded people and contributing towards conservation. The scenery was also a highlight of volunteering with the Trust. 

Find out more about volunteering