Meet the team: Paul Nesbitt - Volunteer Membership Recruiter

Welcoming people into our visitor centre and to the world of wetlands is one of the most important roles in the place. It's those first impressions that leave the lasting impression on our visitors!

Volunteer membership recruiter Paul has been doing that since he joined the WWT Washington team. He loves chatting to you all and helping you get to where you need to be; let's say hello to him!

Hi Paul! Thanks for chatting to us, lets get stuck in! How long have you volunteered at WWT Washington and what inspired you to become a volunteer?

I became a volunteer in July 2021. I started visiting the site and really enjoyed it, so quickly became a member. I saw the request for volunteers on the notice board and decided to apply. I had recently retired, again(!), and thought it would be a good way to spend my free time. I enjoy meeting and talking to people, and where possible, helping people.

Can you describe a typical day?

I try to arrive approximately 30 minutes before opening time. I check to see if there are any tasks that I can help with before the doors are opened. Most of my time is spent meeting and greeting customers as they arrive. This includes updating regular visitors and members with anything of interest on the reserve or in the collection. It also involved informing new visitors about the site, explaining the layout of the visitor centre, showing them the site map, telling them about any activities available that day and generally trying to answer any questions they have. I really enjoy meeting and chatting to people and helping them get where they need to go.

What kind of training or experience is required to volunteer as a membership recruiter?

Any training is given when you are accepted as a volunteer. I do think that ‘life experience’ is essential, the ability to talk to anyone of any age is essential. Children ask all sorts of weird and wonderful questions as well, so it's good to be confident speaking to everyone and adapting how you speak to every visitor and figuring out the information that they will most want to hear.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to volunteer?

My advice to anyone thinking of volunteering is, don’t hesitate to do so, you’ll get a great amount of satisfaction by giving a small amount of your time to others!

What has been the most exciting time for you since volunteering at WWT Washington?

Working the ‘Bing' weekend was probably my favourite time, and it was very very busy! Seeing the children’s faces as they had photographs taken along side the costumed characters was great.

If you could swap roles for one day with another volunteer role, what would it be and why?

If I could swap roles for the day it would involve walking round the site feeding the collection birds. I’ve often seen staff with the wheelbarrow handing out the feed and I enjoy watching the birds rush over to get their share.

What do you get up to outside of WWT?

I’ve retired from work a number of times and I am once again. I’m married with two sons both in their 40’s. I've a had a few jobs - 15 years in the Royal Air Force and 20 years with Northumbria Police. I then worked for Lloyds, Tesco and my last job was with a local retailer in their warehouse in Blaydon.

As a child, I lived in Sri Lanka, then Yemen and Bahrain, so I do love to travel. My wife and I enjoy going on holiday too, especially to the Far East, the furthest being Borneo.

What’s your favourite location at WWT Washington?

My favourite location on site is down a small path overlooking the Saline Lagoon. There a bench made from driftwood that I enjoy sitting on. Its very quiet and allows me to think about life!

Do you have a favourite animal or mammal on site (wild or collection)?

My favourite bird is the Jay, they are extremely shy, so seeing one makes my day complete!

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