Making a difference on your doorstep – how volunteers are keeping walkways beautiful

Wendy McGuinness was inspired to become a conservation volunteer after years of walking in South Belfast. Along with her husband, Wendy got to know areas like Shaw’s Bridge, Minnowburn and the Giant’s Ring through walking their dog Trixie and, after retiring, found herself considering how she could give back to the area she had grown to love.

Wendy applied for a volunteer role with Lagan Valley Regional Park in 2024 and since then, has been planting trees, clearing brambles and maintaining the surrounding areas every other week. Wendy also volunteers as a heritage guide at the Lock Keeper’s Cottage at Shaw’s Bridge on a regular basis.

“I took early retirement a few years ago having worked in a high pressure, corporate role for a long time,” Wendy explains. “I wanted to find something to do in my new found spare time that felt the complete opposite to my working career and conservation volunteering has turned out to be exactly what I needed! Getting out in the fresh air surrounded by nature is so relaxing and now when we’re out with our dog, I can look at the results of our conservation work and feel very proud!”

Wendy believes that many people don’t volunteer because they don’t think there is a role that would suit them, but she found this not to be the case.

“I found a conservation role that was right on my doorstep and in an area I know very well. If you don’t drive or rely on public transport, you’ll be surprised how many places near you that need a helping hand. Equally, if you can only devote a little time, even once a month or every so often, organisations will really appreciate that you give any time at all.

“The benefits of volunteering have been massive for me. Not only do I feel rewarded personally, it’s also doing my health good. After a morning of planting trees, you can’t feel anything but great. I’ve met so many brilliant other volunteers and have great fun with them. I really enjoy meeting members of the public in my heritage guide role too. If you’re thinking about giving volunteering a go, I would say don’t let time or distance or travel or even reluctance put you off, just check out what’s available, give it a go and see how you get on. For me, it’s been a real boost.”

David Moore from Volunteer Now, the leading voice of volunteering in Northern Ireland adds: “Wendy has started a whole new chapter of her life through conservation volunteering and the results of giving her time will last for years to come.

“We have so many different roles available in communities right across Northern Ireland so if you’re interested in conservation or any type of volunteering, the first step is to look on our database of opportunities and see what might suit you. We want people to know that there is a role to suit almost everyone’s circumstances, abilities, location and availability and as Wendy proves, the value of giving any time to volunteering is priceless.”

To find volunteering roles in your area visit our Opportunity Search, and if you need any assistance finding an opportunity that suits please let us know!