Community and Visitor Engagement Assistant
Age - 22
Adam
Adam was volunteering to build his experience in conservation after recently graduating, when he secured a New to Nature placement as Community and Visitor Engagement Assistant at RSPB Sandwell Valley. This role, where he helped connect visitors with nature, has been a crucial step in shaping Adam’s environmental career.
Unsure of his next steps after university, Adam spent time volunteering at RSPB Sandwell Valley in the West Midlands. When he found the New to Nature programme, the timing couldn’t have been better. Adam had the chance to gain the experience he needed to break into the competitive conservation sector.
At RSPB Sandwell Valley, Adam’s role focused on helping visitors engage with nature. Whether through arts and crafts, pond dipping, or bird watching walks, Adam enjoyed sharing his lifelong love of wildlife with others. As someone who grew up bird watching and visiting RSPB site, the role felt like a natural fit.
“Going out there and applying to an organisation normally is quite daunting, especially when it’s hard to get the experience that they want. We need more young people in the sector as a whole.”
The placement also gave Adam the opportunity to grow his confidence by taking on responsibilities such as event planning, leading activities, and even serving as duty manager for the visitor centre. Working closely with Groundwork’s Youth Employment Coach, Adam also developed his professional skills, from improving his CV to using the breaking barriers fund, which enabled him to take driving lessons.
Looking to the future, Adam is considering what he wants to do next. He may return to university to study ecology or environmental science to further specialise in conservation, or he could continue working with RSPB or another environmental organisation. His ultimate goal though, is to continue building a career in the environmental sector.
New to Nature is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the King’s Coronation, delivered through a partnership of Groundwork, The King’s Trust, Disability Rights UK, Mission Diverse and the Youth Environmental Service.
