‘Volunteering in nature changed my life’ says Manor Castle ranger
A community ranger at Sheffield’s Manor Castle has said that volunteering in nature changed his life during hard times.
Joe works for Green Estate CIC on a project in Manor Castle to restore nature in an urban setting and celebrate the area’s heritage.
Joe said volunteering in nature helped him through tough times:
“Many years ago I was going through a tough time, and I spent a lot of time volunteering in nature… which changed my trajectory.
“It gave me a lot of meaning and belonging – and I’d like to share that with other people.
“When I moved to Sheffield, I fell in love with the city and it’s community – it’s a very active, nature-loving community.”
Green Estate’s projects include managing Manor Fields Park, a wildflower meadow, a forest garden, community allotment and Tudor ruins, as well as educational and dementia support projects.
The Tudor ruins and Turret House, which housed Mary Queen of Scots during a proportion of her time imprisoned in Sheffield, make up Green Estate’s Manor Lodge site. The Tudor buildings were built in the 1500s, and became home to a mining village in the 1800s, which makes the site significant in the area’s royal and industrial history.
As part of its mission to restore and celebrate urban nature and heritage, Green Estate held a Celebrating Nature event on June 7 as part of Great Big Green Week, which runs from 6 to 14 June.
“It makes me feel hopeful about community that so many people are coming together to celebrate Great Big Green Week,” Joe added.
Dave, who moved to Sheffield last year, said he started volunteering after finding out that he had a green space right on his doorstep.
“I moved to Sheffield to be near my grandchildren,” said Dave as he planted vegetables and sunflowers in the community allotment.
“It’s really nice to be out in the greenery, and we know it’s good for your soul and mental health – to see the plants grow and change over the seasons is just fantastic.”
Dave added that he’s been involved in Great Big Green Week before, and expressed his excitement for this year’s event:
“I managed activities for Great Big Green Week where I used to live, and it’s a great opportunity to get people together and raise awareness of being part of a bigger activity.
“It’s going to be great!”
During their event this June, visitors can expect nature-related activities, crafts and the chance to enjoy their local green space and heritage site.
Green Estate’s Head of Green and Resilient Communities, Alice Jones, said she was happy to be able to offer locals in Manor Castle, which is more deprived than 82% of Sheffield neighbourhoods, a chance to enjoy nature.
“We’re a bit of a hidden gem, but we’re making the case that you can live in an urban area and still have green space.
“It’s lovely to be able to offer this space for people’s health and wellbeing – and for nature to thrive in such an urban setting.”
