Volunteer Stories

Hear from the people that are at the hear of everything we do.

At Andover Trees United, our work is powered by volunteers. From weekly conservation days to creative events and ecological surveying, every person brings something unique to the wood and wider community.

Here are some of the people who help shape our work in their own words.

Youth, Learning & Emerging Ecologists

**Kanchi – Ecology Intern 2026**

“When I first arrived, I thought I would be learning names of plants and birds. Instead, I learned how a place can quietly change you. The woodland asks you to slow down, notice details, and pay attention. Each visit feels different – new sounds, new colours, new discoveries. Helping with surveys and sessions has shown me how much joy there is in sharing nature with others. It feels like learning and belonging at the same time here.”

**Elsie – Young Volunteer**

“I joined because I love trees and wanted to learn how to care for them properly. Before this, I tried learning on my own, but being part of the team changed everything. Suddenly there were people to learn from, questions to ask, and real work to do. Now I notice so much more when I’m outside – different leaves, habitats, seasons changing. It feels wonderful to learn while helping make a difference in the community around me.”

**Amy – Duke of Edinburgh Volunteer**

“When I started volunteering, I thought I was simply completing part of my Duke of Edinburgh Award. I quickly realised it was much more than that. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, helped me listen better, and taught me to work with people in new ways. I grew in confidence without even noticing at first. Being trusted to help with real projects made me feel valued. It became an experience that changed how I see myself completely.”

**Natalia – Youth Volunteer & Leader**

“Volunteering here has shown me how powerful nature can be for young people. Children arrive shy or uncertain, then slowly open up through crafts, games, and outdoor exploration. Seeing their confidence grow is one of the best parts of my role. I have learned so much myself through helping lead sessions and working alongside others who care deeply about youth opportunities. It feels meaningful to be part of something that helps children feel happy, capable, and connected to the outdoors.”

Trustees, Leadership & Long-Term Contributors

**Wendy Davis – Founder & Trustee**

“Andover Trees United began with a simple belief: children should have the chance to connect with nature in a real and lasting way. I never imagined how many people would help shape that idea into something so vibrant. What moves me most is seeing people arrive as visitors and leave feeling part of the woodland itself. This place belongs to everyone who has planted, learned, laughed, or worked here. That shared ownership is what makes it powerful.”

**Liz Scrace – Trustee & Regular Volunteer**

“I wanted to do something practical for the environment, something close to home where the impact could be seen and felt. ATU offered exactly that. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by environmental challenges, but here you can take action with your own hands. Every tree planted, every habitat cared for, every event supported feels meaningful. I value being part of a group that turns concern into hope and effort into something visible and lasting.”

**Doreen – Workday Leader & Long-term Volunteer**

“I first joined during the school planting weeks in 2017 and have kept coming back ever since. I love the projects that involve children and young people, helping them feel they have a stake in the future of their environment. We are not only about conservation either – there are crafts, music, art, and community events too. Mondays are full of laughter and teamwork. New people are always welcome, especially for tea and cake.”

**Alex – Trustee & Former Ecology Intern 2019/2020**

“I first joined as the ecology intern in 2019, and even after moving away I have never really left. This place gave me confidence, trusted me with new ideas, and opened doors I never expected. I was able to lead projects, support young people, and grow professionally alongside people who believed in me. What keeps me connected is the sense of friendship and shared purpose. ATU became part of my journey in a lasting way.”

Conservation & Woodland Volunteers

**Annette – Regular Volunteer**

“I grew up loving small woods and wild places, so volunteering here feels like returning to something familiar. Being outdoors, noticing seasonal changes, and doing practical work suits me perfectly. I especially enjoy Mondays because they set a positive tone for the whole week. There is always friendly company, shared effort, and usually tea and cake too. It feels grounding to start the week connected to nature and surrounded by kind, like-minded people nearby.”

**Stephen – Monday Volunteer**

“After retiring, I wanted to spend my time doing something worthwhile and active. I chose Andover Trees United because I enjoy working outdoors and knew the charity benefits the whole community. Monday sessions quickly became part of my routine. There is hard work, plenty of laughter, and a real sense of teamwork. Everyone contributes in their own way. I always leave tired but uplifted, with that wonderful feeling that the day has genuinely mattered.”

**Linda – Long-term Volunteer**

“I have been with ATU since the very beginning, and I still love being part of it. I often help more at the allotment because it is nearby, sowing wildflower seeds, caring for seedlings, and later planting them in the woods. It is wonderful to see that full journey from seed to bloom. Community days are also special because I can catch up with other volunteers. We know together we are helping nature thrive.”

**Terri – Long-Term Volunteer**

“I have been volunteering since 2018, and every year the woodland becomes richer, fuller, and more alive. Watching that gradual change has been one of the greatest rewards. I enjoy being outside, meeting people, learning new skills, and photographing the wildlife that now calls this place home. There is always something new to get involved in, from arts projects to tree planting. Autumn planting days especially make me feel I’m making a real difference.”

Community, Group Volunteers & Corporate

**Rory and Family – Multi-Generational Volunteers**

“For us, this never really felt like volunteering. It simply feels like time well spent together. Three generations come along, each finding joy in different ways, from digging and planting to simply being outdoors side by side. Watching Rory throw himself into every task with endless energy is a joy in itself. We love knowing these hours together are also helping something bigger grow. It is family time, fresh air, and future-making all at once.”

**Chris, Alex & Dom – Archaeologist Volunteers**

“We have been returning to Harmony Woods for nearly ten years now, and every season still offers something unexpected. Watching the woodland mature while uncovering traces of the people who stood here thousands of years ago has been extraordinary. Trenches have revealed Bronze Age ring ditches, pottery, and worked flint, each discovery adding another layer to the story of this place. It feels rare and special to witness history below ground while new life grows above it.”

**Lloyds Team – Corporate Volunteers**

“We arrived as colleagues expecting a volunteering day together, but we left feeling connected to something far bigger than ourselves. Working alongside local schools and community volunteers made the experience feel immediate and real. Planting wildflowers first, then returning later to plant trees, gave us a sense of continuity and purpose. Sustainability can often feel like a distant idea in the workplace, but here it became something tangible — something rooted in the ground and growing visibly.”

**Geoff – Anton Rotary Volunteer**

“Supporting Andover Trees United felt like a natural extension of Rotary’s commitment to community and environment. What I enjoy most is helping schoolchildren plant trees and seeing their excitement as they realise they are creating something for the future. One day they will return as adults and see those trees standing tall. That thought always moves me. It reminds me that volunteering is not only about today’s work, but tomorrow’s legacy for others.”

Across all these stories, one feeling returns again and again — that volunteering at Andover Trees United is not something separate from life, but something that becomes part of it.

People arrive for many reasons: curiosity, community, learning, wellbeing, or simply a desire to be outdoors. But over time, many describe the same quiet shift, from visiting a woodland, to feeling connected to it; from helping a project, to belonging within it.

Happy Trees, Happy Planet, Happy People!