Cassa is joining us to help develop our volunteering opportunities in the North of England. Here she shares her motivations, favourite volunteering placement, and her love of the countryside.
Meet Cassa - our new Volunteering Development Manager for the North
Cassa enjoying some rock climbing
What has been your favourite volunteering role?
My summer 1999 placement at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in North Yorkshire, where I ran weekly ‘working holidays’ for the National Trust.
I met hordes of different people from all over the UK (and the world!) The efforts of all of those people made a huge difference to the running of the Estate - and we had a great time doing it.
The last night of each camp was the best - a walk out or trip to the pub followed by a bonfire with baked potatoes, guitars, singing and dancing (and occasionally a ride around the fields in the Warden's trailer, just for laughs!)
What inspired you to get involved in working in volunteering?
I've always helped out with stuff I see going on around me. Often this wouldn't be classed as ‘volunteering’ - but the ‘helping hand’ is really important to people who may not have confidence to get out and about and get involved.
My focus on volunteering support and management has helped me realise how much there is to be gained – for people and the environment - when everyone can be supported, and support each other, to get involved with a project or organisation. The benefits to people are, for me, as important as whatever task or goal is being achieved and I love seeing people grow and develop on their journeys through life.
What are you looking forward to in your new role?
I am looking forward to meeting lots of people, getting to understand better the fantastic work of CPRE and all of the people involved.
I’m also looking forward to also getting to know the North of England a little bit better too. I am a northern girl (born in Yorkshire, bred in Derbyshire), and I know the area well, but I learn something new about our beautiful country with every project I’m part of.
Being part of keeping it beautiful is very close to my heart and I can't wait to support branches in the North with their campaigns and local projects.
