A thank you to our wonderful volunteers

A guest piece from Siobhan Bentley, RSPB NI Volunteering Development Officer

On September 20^th, we were delighted to welcome volunteers and staff to Oxford Island for a very special celebration event. The day was all about recognising the heart of the RSPB NI, our volunteers, and the extraordinary impact they make for nature. With stalls showcasing the scope of the RSPB NI’s work, opportunities to connect, and our very own awards to spotlight individuals and team achievements, the event brought people together to reflect on all that has been achieved through passion, dedication and teamwork.

With 85% of the RSPB’s workforce being made up of volunteers it is no exaggeration to say that the work that gets done to save nature wouldn’t be able to go ahead without our volunteers. This event was our chance to say a very big thank you and show our appreciation for everything our volunteers have done.

One of the highlights of the day was our Volunteers Awards, which recognised the many different ways our volunteers contribute to the organisation and to nature. This year’s awards went to some truly amazing individuals and teams.

• The Nature Hero Award was awarded to James McDowell in recognition and appreciation of going above and beyond for nature
• The Community Champion Award was awarded to Eleanor Brennan for her ongoing commitment and support for the Belfast Local Group, and for helping to raise greater awareness within the local community
• The Friendly Robin Award was awarded to Sarah Nicol for her hard work while always being cheerful and welcoming
• The Kingfisher Award was awarded to David Miller for his hard work on the farmland bird surveys while always being enthusiastic and positive
• The Rain or Shine Award was awarded to Peter Guy for his commitment to his work at Portmore Lough no matter the weather
• The Spirit of the RSPB Award was awarded to Dot Blakley for her ongoing commitment and support for the RSPB and at Belfast WOW
• The Rising Star Awards were awarded to Lucy Hillen, Laura Hughes, Jake Grant and Lucie Craig for being new volunteers who came in and made a huge difference in their role 
• The Quietly Powerful Awards were awarded to Sarah Fogerty, Ron Price, Kate McCallister and Hannah Kerr for all their hard work behind the scenes that is making a huge impact
• And finally, our Outstanding Team Award was awarded to the ‘Giving Corncrakes a Home’ volunteer team for all their hard work and dedication which has led to the highest numbers of calling Corncrakes returning to Rathlin Island 

Each award tells a story of passion, generosity and commitment. While only a handful of names could be called on the day, every volunteer is a winner in our eyes. From protecting habitats to monitoring birds, from inspiring young people to lending a hand behind the scenes, every single volunteer plays a vital role in our work.

To all of you, we simply want to say thank you. Your dedication is the driving force behind everything the RSPB NI achieves, and together we are making Northern Ireland a better place of nature.

If you’re interested in volunteering with RSPB NI, find out more here: 

https://www.rspb.org.uk/helping-nature/volunteering/rspb-volunteering-opportunities