Richard Green is a Site Ambassador at Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs, Cardiff. Volunteering gives him the social contact he missed after his wife died.
FIVE YEARS AGO
Five years ago, Richard’s wife died and he was alone for the first time in his life. He busied himself cooking, cleaning, gardening and carrying on with the things they had previously done together, like walking, travelling and camping.
‘But’ said Richard, ‘I came to realise, after about six months of retraining myself, that these were solitary activities and I needed more company. As a couple we were happy with our own company, so I didn’t have a big social network to enjoy.
‘I needed to focus on what I was still able to do, rather than worry about what I couldn’t. So, I applied to be a volunteer. My family encouraged me. I chose to follow my interest, which is the environment, and found something that I would enjoy and that I had some sort of knowledge about.’
Now Richard is a volunteer at Lisvane and Lanishen Reservoirs. Wearing his hi-vis jacket, he walks the reservoir site for a couple of hours each week. He helps visitors to enjoy and use the site well.
VOLUNTEERING
Richard said: ‘I have a method. I greet people and prompt conversation so that I can tell them a bit about the history of the site, the facilities and opportunities for recreation and, particularly, the special status of the site.
‘It has two Sites of Special Scientific Interest. One for the fungi in the grasslands around Llanishen Reservoir and one for the overwintering wildfowl on Lisvane Reservoir.
‘I get support from Welsh Water and Friends of Cardiff Reservoirs, with free parking when I’m on duty and free tea from the Rangers’ cabin. I can continually improve my knowledge by attending presentations on aspects of the site.’
Volunteering helps Richard to remain active physically, mentally and socially.
AGEING WELL PUBLIC TALKS
Richard was interviewed in a recent public talk for the Open University, as part of a session entitled ‘Exploring many ways of staying active while ageing’.
WANT TO VOLUNTEER?
If you’re interested in volunteering, take a look at the Volunteering Wales website for current volunteering opportunities in your area.