Triumphing as a team
When Harrison first arrived there were a few Health and Safety challenges, but nothing that held him back from fulfilling his potential and becoming a valued member of the team as Paul Livingstone, Head Ranger in South Down explains: ‘Having gone through a number of processes, and being somewhat intimidated by how we were going to involve Harrison into the team, the Rangers and Volunteers took it upon themselves to deal with the issues that arose. We developed an understanding with Harrison which led to some of the pressure being lifted, and we treated him as simply another Volunteer Ranger.
'This did take some input from the team in general, however, as time passed, we saw that Harrison did have potential and the ability to work in many varied roles. Yes, there may have been a bit more time spent on him than would have been with abled bodied Volunteers, but as it now stands, this young gentleman has proven his ability to get “stuck-in” and deal with life, and the working environment, as would anyone else.’
My work as a volunteer ranger
Depending on the time of year, Harrison’s work at Castle Ward included cutting wood, cutting grass, maintaining trails and creating new outdoors features including a bug hotel, to enhance the Visitor Experience. He also gained his chain saw license and spraying qualification.
‘I’ve really enjoyed being outdoors, swapping the classroom and assignments for practical hands-on experience,’ he says. ‘My favourite part was the maintenance of the trails– you can actually see the difference you make after a day’s work – creating well-defined paths that open up the outdoors for visitors and allow different species to thrive.
After a very successful placement at Castle Ward, Harrison is hoping to become a ranger with the National Trust: ‘I’ve really enjoyed the training and I love how departments work as one team to make real and impactful changes to support nature and conservation. It’s been a fantastic experience and I’ve made some great friends, so I’ll definitely be back to visit soon.’