Your Valley needs you!

Staff at RSPB Sandwell Valley nature reserve are looking to the local community for help. Most people local to the reserve know by now that a brand new visitor centre, with the best views in the valley, will be opening this summer.

It’s hard to miss the diggers, high visibility vests and all that mud. However, when the doors open in July, extra volunteer support is needed to welcome all the visitors, new and old.

Nature’s Reach visitor centre is just a few months away from completion and is set to be a vibrant and welcoming place for visitors to the valley. Located in the heart of the RSPB nature reserve, the building looks out over forge Mill Lake, wildflower meadows and a wetland marsh. It really is an unexpected delight to come across.

Nadia Shaikh, spokesperson for the RSPB said: “The centre will be a place where visitors can find out about wildlife, families can take part in a whole host of activities and somewhere to unwind and enjoy the view with a cup of tea.”

“But the most important missing piece is the friendly volunteer who will be there to help. We already have a great team of dedicated volunteers who help on the reserve, but with the new centre opening shortly we’re coming up a bit short and need some extra hands!”

The RSPB is looking for people who like to talk with a ready smile to welcome visitors into the centre and to help them make the most of their visit.

Nadia adds: “Is this the role for you? Do you like talking to people and have a spare few hours each week? You wouldn’t have to be a wildlife expert; this role requires a helpful and friendly personality for it to be a success.

“We already have a team of over 90 friendly volunteers who help us with everything from answering phones to digging ponds to counting butterflies; so you’re bound to make new friends too!”

For more information and a casual chat about the volunteer roles,  call the nature reserve on 0121357 7395 or email nadia.shaikh@rspb.org.uk.