Celebrating Our Wonderful Volunteers During Volunteers' Week
We're taking the opportunity to celebrate the incredible people who give their time and passion to support WWT Castle Espie on Volunteers week.
Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. With a team of 48 dedicated volunteers, they help create the welcoming, inspiring experience that visitors enjoy every day. From engaging with visitors to helping in our café and sharing their love of nature, their contribution is invaluable.
Without our volunteers, we couldn't exist.
As part of our Volunteers' Week celebrations, we're shining a spotlight on two of our fantastic volunteers, Kim Armstrong and Andrew Campbell, whose stories reflect the commitment, kindness and community spirit that make Castle Espie such a special place.
Kim Armstrong: A Friendly Face and Warm Welcome
For Kim Armstrong, Castle Espie has long been a place of peace and comfort.
After losing her older sister nine years ago, Kim began walking around the reserve and found it to be "so peaceful and good for the soul." What started as a place of reflection soon became somewhere she could give back through volunteering.
Kim, who retired last year after an impressive 45-year career as an NHS nurse, has now been volunteering at Castle Espie for eight years. She first became involved by helping at events such as pond dipping sessions and Christmas activities. Today, visitors are more likely to spot her lending a hand in the café, clearing tables and helping keep things running smoothly.
"The most important things are always having a smile and being welcoming to everyone who visits our beautiful reserve," says Kim.
Her background in nursing means communication and connecting with people come naturally. It's something she particularly enjoys about her volunteer role.
"The rewarding part for me is meeting so many different people, and every member of staff always makes me feel so welcome and part of the team."
Kim's commitment to volunteering extends far beyond Castle Espie. She also volunteers in a local charity shop, supports her Slimming World group each week, and gives her time to Air Ambulance NI.
When she's not volunteering, Kim enjoys cold water swimming in Strangford Lough with her group, the Bathing Belles. She's also a keen reader, walker and photographer. Since retiring, photography has become a particular passion, and she rarely visits Castle Espie without her camera. One of her favourite activities is spending time in the bird hides with her 11-year-old grandson, capturing photographs of the reserve's wildlife together.
After eight years of volunteering, Kim says she wouldn't change a thing.
"My experience has always been very positive at Castle Espie, and that's the reason I'm still here eight years later, and hopefully for many more."
Andrew Campbell: Finding Nature, Purpose and Connection
Andrew Campbell's connection with Castle Espie goes back many years. He first visited when his children were young, enjoying family days out at the reserve.
Looking for a way to spend more time outdoors and away from his laptop, Andrew decided to become a volunteer. Ten years later, he's still giving his time every other Saturday.
For Andrew, volunteering provides the perfect balance of nature, purpose and people.
"The most important things about volunteering here are the people, doing something that adds value and being in nature," he says. "But it is the people that I come into contact with who are the most important part of my volunteering."
His decade of service reflects the strong sense of community that volunteering at Castle Espie creates.
A Heartfelt Thank You This Volunteers' Week
Volunteers' Week is a chance to recognise and thank the people who make such a difference in communities across the UK. At Castle Espie, we are incredibly fortunate to have 48 volunteers who choose to share their time, skills and enthusiasm with us.
Kim and Andrew's stories are just two examples of the many inspiring individuals who make up our volunteer team.
To all of our volunteers: thank you for everything you do. Your dedication, kindness and commitment help make Castle Espie the welcoming place our visitors know and love.
This Volunteers' Week, we're proud to celebrate you all. We simply couldn't do it without you.
