Meet our youth ambassadors - Izzy and Grace
It’s exciting times here at Andover Trees as we are gearing up to start volunteer workdays again! Here we introduce you to a couple of our younger volunteers Izzy & Grace who have been volunteering with us since primary school!!
When did you start volunteering with Andover Trees United?
We first met Wendy through the school eco team when we were age 8. We became more and more involved as we got older and started to understand the importance of our engagement with the project.
What sort of work do you do for ATU?
A lot of our involvement is aimed towards the inclusivity of young people and allowing them to see a different, more creative and enjoyable side of nature. We also involve ourselves in opportunities such as the Observer Ethical Awards and Roots and Shoots Awards as well as helping out on open days and other events at the woods. Last summer we ran a VR project in the town centre where members of the public were able to step into Harmony Woods using a head set on the High Street!
How regularly do you volunteer?
We are constantly encouraging Harrow Way pupils to get up to the woods. We give assemblies and talk about the importance of ATU and the exciting opportunities on offer. We believe its important to get more young people on board as the greater the movement, the greater the impact!
What do you gain from volunteering with Andover Trees United?
We gain a sense of community and many awesome opportunities like being on the TV and radio. We have also met so many cool and inspirational people like Dr Jane Goodall, Mayors and journalists and the Deputy Lieutenant from Hampshire.
We both feel that working on the Observer Ethical Awards video was extremely exciting and we love that we got to be in the same video as will.i.am and Katie Piper. We both find it hilarious when we watch each other being interviewed for the news or on the radio.
What would you say to someone who was considering volunteering?
Do it! There is so much freedom involved in it and you can start your own projects and passions within the organisation and Harmony Woods. It has a great sense of community and you will feel really inspired by the amazing people that surround you.
How has lockdown been for you?
We have missed the people and the fun experiences we have at the woodland however we have been keeping busy creating a segment for our weekly Harrow Way podcast that aims to educate and inform the students, teachers and parents of the school as well as working with some of the new students joining our school to encourage them to stay environmentally conscious over lockdown.
We have also found time to look after our plants in our own gardens too!
If you are feeling inspired by Izzy & Grace then drop us an email to volunteers@andovertrees.org.uk
