European Voluntary Service Volunteers
European Voluntary Service (EVS) is a scheme that is open to young European people aged between 18 and 30 who want to do a voluntary work placement for a period of between two and twelve months. The scheme not only allows young people to experience life in a different country but also to gain valuable experiences and skills.
UWT first got involved with EVS in 2003 and have been taking regular placements through EVS since then. The support we receive from EVS volunteers allows us to get many projects off the ground that would otherwise remain on our wish list! The volunteers bring with them an interest in conservation work, a different perspective and a variety of skills that we can use in lots of different ways.
In 2008, we have said hello and goodbye to three volunteers - Pietro from Italy, Sara, also from Italy but lives in Spain and Jessica from Germany. All three worked tirelessly out on the nature reserves, built an endless number of bird-boxes and helped grow what seemed like 100's of courgettes in the Crossgar greenhouse!
Currently, we only have one EVS volunteer and that is Katharina from Germany. She won't be on her own for too long as Felix, also from Germany starts with us at the start of November.
In 2007 we had three EVS volunteers – Agata from Poland, Dani from Spain, and Steven from France - all of them had a thoroughly enjoyable time and were able to gain a number of qualifications in environmental conservation whilst they were with us.
Below are some comments from Agata, Dani and Steven -
“We have learnt a variety of practical conservation tasks as well as skills in team-work, communication and organisation. It’s great to see the results of our work, it really feels that we are making a difference. We applied to UWT as it is a key environmental organisation in Northern Ireland and we also wanted to work outdoors and get dirty!!” Agata
“We feel that the placement has been exactly what we expected and that we really feel part of the UWT team. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working outdoors, especially when it’s not raining! It’s been great to meet and work with local volunteers.” Dani
“Northern Ireland is a great place for international volunteers, all the local people have been so helpful and friendly and very curious about our ‘home’ countries. We would thoroughly recommend UWT to any other young people looking for an EVS placement, there is a great atmosphere, they are well organised and you get excellent training and support from supervisors.” Steven
We would like say a BIG THANK-YOU to all our EVS volunteers past and present and hope to continue in our support of this very successful scheme.
If you would like more information on any of the Trust’s volunteering opportunities please contact Ian Cardwell, UWT Volunteering Officer on 028 4483 0282 or email volunteering@ulsterwildlifetrust.org
