Chloe’s Volunteering Story
You may already have seen the incredible restoration work taking place on the Cerne Abbas Giant, which has recently made national headlines. While many National Trust staff are involved, the project simply wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and time given by volunteers. As the National Trust themselves put it, “Our volunteers make it possible for us to preserve nature, beauty and history for future generations.”
At Volunteer Centre Dorset, we’re passionate about promoting the value of volunteering, but it’s equally important that we experience it ourselves. So, when the opportunity came up to support the work on the Giant, I was more than happy to swap my desk for a day on the hillside.
On the day, volunteers could choose from a variety of hands-on tasks, including chipping away old chalk and removing the roots of plants that had crept into the figure, or carefully re-edging the outline. Each role played a vital part in preparing the Giant for its re-chalking. Feeling up for a challenge (and perhaps showing my age a little!), I opted for the edging work further down the hill, on a notably steeper gradient.
Of course, what we hadn’t factored in was the weather. It turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year, which certainly added an extra layer of challenge! It also gave a real sense of perspective, standing there under the sun, it wasn’t hard to imagine just how tough it must have been for those who originally carved the Giant centuries ago.
One of the most inspiring parts of the day was the range of people involved. Volunteers had travelled from across the country, and even from overseas, to take part, alongside local residents. It was a brilliant reminder of how shared heritage has the power to connect people from all walks of life.
For us at Volunteer Centre Dorset, this experience really reinforced what we see every day: volunteering isn’t just about giving your time, it’s about being part of something bigger, learning new skills, meeting people and creating a real sense of achievement (with a few sore muscles thrown in for good measure!).
If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, there’s no better time to get involved. Whether it’s preserving history, supporting your community or trying something completely new, there’s an opportunity out there for everyone, and you never know where it might take you.
