Suzanne Eden

University/ College:  University of Salford
What are you studying? Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology
What other interests do you have? I have a 2 year old son and we do lots of things together.

I had never volunteered prior to being a student – I wasn't sure what I had to offer. Being a student has given me the confidence to give volunteering a go and now I am hooked! I volunteer with the RSPB outside of uni and through Salford I help volunteer with the Salford Rangers on various activities and also help lead biodiversity walks around campus.

I started to volunteer as I thought that volunteering with a wildlife organisation would support my learning on the course. Even now I still volunteer to learn more about wildlife and to get out and about doing thinks I would not normally have the chance to do. I have had some very positive experiences where I think I have answered people's questions well, and taught them something surprising and new. I think I have also made some young people feel happy about themselves by being positive about how well they have performed certain activities that we have provided.

My confidence has improved through my experiences– I have learned a lot from the people I volunteer with and have been to some really interesting places. This has helped my career goals as I want to be a teacher eventually, and I now have experience of talking in front of large groups of people of all ages. I have done a lot of activities involving children, and am much more confident in my abilities and what I have to offer as a teacher.

It has been a challenge to fit volunteering around family commitments. My son is my priority but I am surprised about just how much I can fit in an how much more full and satisfying my life is now.

I remember feeling immensely proud after I did my first biodiversity walk around the campus. It was attended by staff including the vice chancellor and the head of my school. I got some very positive feedback and we even made the cover of the staff magazine!

I would tell other volunteers that you should not think you have nothing to offer – people are so welcoming and glad of your help. They will really appreciate you and you will get so much out of being involved.  You get so many opportunities to do things you would never normally do – it is very rewarding.