By Holly Appleby (Upland Ecologist)
This fieldwork season, the GWCT Upland Research Team in County Durham hosted five work-experience volunteers, offering them an exciting and unique opportunity to spend some time taking part in ongoing black grouse and red grouse research.
Joel already works in the conservation sector and simply wanted to experience something new. He says: “I had an excellent time volunteering with the GWCT, assisting on an array of projects including black grouse lek counts and red grouse radio tracking. Their enthusiasm and knowledge was extremely valuable and it enabled me to learn a great deal and also feel very welcomed.”
Josh, Cole, Aspen and Harry are all school students based in North East England and were seeking new skills and experience to add to their university applications.
Josh: “Doing my work experience with the GWCT has been an absolute delight. The warmth and generosity of everyone I’ve met, combined with the ability to learn first-hand in the field, has given me insight and experience that exists far beyond the confines of a classroom.”
Cole: ”This opportunity I was given has allowed me to experience a new type of work, allowing me to enlarge my experience and understanding of the world of work. The staff are so supportive and have encouraged me along, allowing me to flourish and achieve useful skills which will be used in later life.”
Aspen: “Thank you very much for hosting me on work experience and arranging an eventful week. I have really enjoyed the different types of fieldwork.”
Harry: “I have thoroughly enjoyed doing my work experience with the GWCT. The staff have been very welcoming and supportive throughout. I have really enjoyed doing vegetation surveys and learning how the information we collect helps to gain a greater understanding of where grouse choose to nest.”
Each year, the GWCT also hosts undergraduate students studying for ecology-related degrees, offering them an exciting opportunity to spend their sandwich placement year taking part in important game and wildlife conservation research. Placements are based at our headquarters at Fordingbridge in Hampshire and outstations across Britain. Details of placements for the 2027-28 academic year will be available this winter but if anyone is seeking short-term voluntary work experience, please contact: info@gwct.org.uk.