BRITAIN S National Trust is encouraging people to do things differently in 2010 – by volunteering. As a whole new decade begins, many people will be thinking about New Year s resolutions and looking for a change. The National Trust think they have got the

BRITAIN'S National Trust is encouraging people to do things differently in 2010 - by volunteering.

As a whole new decade begins, many people will be thinking about New Year's resolutions and looking for a change.

The National Trust think they have got the perfect suggestion - join the family of volunteers and spread the message of 'see the world change around you'.

Volunteers make the National Trust run from day to day, there are more than 4000 of them in the East of England who last year gave 229,000 hours of their time.

Essex properties including houses, gardens and countryside sites are no exception.

They are kept open by people who give their time and expertise. And as the trust are poised to open properties much, much more in 2010 they need all the hands they can get.

Great Sense of Teamwork

National Trust's Community, Learning and Volunteering Manager in the East of England, Jennie Jordan said: "There is no mould for a volunteer with the National Trust, people come from completely different backgrounds and for completely different reasons, but our volunteers are all passionate and dedicated and many have unique skills and expertise which are tremendously valuable.

"We've got volunteer guides, growers, sewers, stewards, diggers, planters, watchers, waiters, choppers, caterers, sellers, talkers, millers and snappers so life is never boring.

"Our volunteers speak about the great sense of team work, the new skills they learn and the satisfaction they get from knowing they're genuinely helping to make something happen.

"It's a fantastic way to meet people, broaden your experience and skills and get the insiders view on how a property works. And as many of our properties will be opening seven days a week in 2010 we really do need your help to make it all happen."

Hatfield Forest

In Uttlesford, Rosemary Ashworth is a volunteer warden at Hatfield Forest.

"I've been a nurse for about 20 years now but decided I really wanted a career change," she said. "So last year I gave up my nursing job and started a full time degree in Conservation.

"I wanted to get some first hand experience and I've grown up around Hatfield Forest so it made perfect sense for me to start as a National Trust volunteer.

"I just love it, I spend all the time I possibly can at the Forest, fitting around my degree and the school terms as well.

"I've got two boys, nine and six, and during the school holidays they love coming out with me too. It's great because I can show them what I've been doing there and sometimes we volunteer as a family so they get to be involved and doing something really practical which is quite unusual now.

"It's incredibly satisfying, to work outside all day and has been invaluable for developing my knowledge and skills for my degree.

"In fact, after helping with the deer census this year I'm going to be trained up and do my dissertation on the deer population at Hatfield next year so it really has been an amazing door opener for me."

FOR MORE information about volunteering across the East of England, please call the Regional Office on 01284 747500 or email volunteering@nationaltrust.org.uk.