From Volunteer to Assistant Warden

I first came to Flat Holm as a volunteer in September 2001, after finishing my degree in environmental studies and philosophy and religious studies at University of Wales College Newport. I stayed on Flat Holm for 6 months working with Natalie and Chaela, and promised myself when I left that if the job came up, I would definitely apply for assistant warden.

I got my first paid job as a seasonal warden in Milton Keynes. I stayed there for 6 months, working in the town parks; organising events and working with school groups. Despite its reputation, Milton Keynes has a lot of green spaces and I thoroughly enjoyed my summer there.

I then moved back to North Wales, where I worked for Kingswood outdoor education centre as a field studies tutor. I spent my days not only teaching children how to identify minibeasts and measure water quality but also how to climb, do problem solving activities and play bingo. After a couple of months working at both the Wales and Staffordshire Centres, I moved up to senior environmental instructor, running the environmental department in Denbigh.

I had only been in the job a month when I saw the advertisement for Assistant Warden. As I stepped foot back onto the island I remembered the feelings of freedom, away from the traffic and the noise. A year later, I am definitely settled, I can't deny it's a lot different than when I was a volunteer; more stress and more responsibility but when I look out at the view I know I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

Julie Furber