“Seeing the animals
grow in confidence
is so fulfilling”
“I lovebeing
inthe great
outdoors”
welcoming, and I’ve learnt so much from
them. Funnily enough (and I think a lot
of mums will agree), sometimes in a
busy home environment with teenagers
coming and going, you don’t often feel
valued, so at the RSPCA centre it feels
great to know I’m making a difference.
Seeing the change in the animals over
time as they rehabilitate and become
more confident is so fulfilling. The reward
of seeing an animal leaving us to start
a new life with a new family is amazing.
There have been one or two animals
that I got quite attached to, which can
be difficult, and obviously some of the
cases that come in are heartbreaking.
Over time I have learnt to be pragmatic
about it, especially the cruelty cases.
It’s awful to see, but at least now at the
centre they are in a safe environment
and receiving the medical care and
treatment they deserve.
Volunteering has massively impacted
my life. When I was a kid, all I really
wanted to do was work with animals, and
now I’m doing what I always dreamed of.
I can’t wait to get to the centre – and
I think that says a lot, doesn’t it? It’s the
best thing I’ve ever done.
✢For more information about
volunteering with the RSPCA, visit
rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/volunteer
Jane Howard, 57, a
teacher and caregiver
from Brighton, first
discovered The Grow
Project after taking one
of its wellbeing courses.
Working with people experiencing
a range of mental health conditions,
Grow helps people improve wellbeing
by connecting them with the healing
powersofnature.
Growcamealongata timeofmylife
whenthingswereparticularlychallenging,
andbecausementalhealth
andwellbeingis a cause
that’simportanttomefor
personalreasons,I decidedto
applyforoneoftheircourses.
EverythingaboutGrowand
theworkit doesreallyappealedtome.
I adoredthefactweweregettingout
andaboutin thegreatoutdoors,plus
I lovedthefocusonpersonalwellness.
Andbecausethecoursewassovaried,
I acquireda completelynewskillsetin
a safeandnurturingenvironment.
I enjoyedmyexperiencesomuch
thatI wantedtogivesomethingback,so
eventuallyI becamepartoftheteamasa volunteer, working for one day a week.
We work mainly with people
experiencing depression, anxiety,
stress, plus other mental health
conditions and, in partnership with the
National Trust, we help participants
reconnect with nature through a range
of activities including conservation,
walking, crafts and meditation.
Twelve people are involved in each
group,andwespendmostof ourtime
basedat SaddlescombeFarmlearning
animalhandling,gardeningskillsorother
farm-basedpursuits.Other
weeksmightbespenthelping
outat otherlocalprojects.
I’malsoveryactivein
helpingwithTheGrow
Project’sfundraisingevents.
I’vetakenpartin a sponsoredwalk,and
at ChristmasI madesoupformorethan
100 peopleaspartofourWinterWarmer
guidedwalkacrosstheSouthDowns.
VolunteeringwithGrowhasgivenme
a senseofpurposeandI’vemadesome
goodfriendshipsthroughtheproject.
✢FormoreinformationaboutThe
GrowProject,visitgrowingwellbeing.
org.uk >>The nature enthusiast
The Grow
Project
in actionResidents at the
RSPCA centrewoman&home IT’S All AbOUT yOU! 77