‘I took the job in a panic as my life hit the buffers and the money ran out.’

This might not sound like an auspicious beginning, but as ‘The Volunteers’ beautifully records, Carol’s decision to take on a new role within wildlife conservation, and specifically the group of volunteers she learns to manage as a significant part of that role, has far reaching, positive implications for her and the group.

Alongside recording the changing of the seasons and the conservation sector, this memoir is a touching exploration of the impact a community can have on its members.

What’s it about?

When Carol’s world suddenly unravels, leaving her single and jobless, she stumbles upon an unexpected opportunity: leading a ragtag team of countryside conservation volunteers. At first glance, the prospect of nurturing Britain’s diverse wildlife in the great outdoors seems like a dream come true.

However, reality paints a different picture: her office is a ramshackle portacabin overrun with mice and plagued by leaky ceilings, and the volunteers are far from impressed with her lack of practical skills.

Despite this rocky beginning, Carol gradually earns the respect of her eclectic group of volunteers, forging a tight-knit community that will grow to become essential to each member.

This diverse group spans generations, from twenty-somethings to septuagenarians, with each of them looking to get something different out of volunteering, whether it’s a sense of purpose, a fresh start in life or a tick on their community service form. They also bring their unique quirks and life experiences to the mix.

Volunteer days soon evolve into the highlight of Carol’s week, as they bond over their love of nature, mental health battles, and the desire for companionship. As they work together outdoors, the team discover a simple yet powerful recipe for self-confidence, improved well- being and a newfound perspective on life’s challenges.

This journey not only brings solace and new joys to Carol’s weeks, but eventually it helps her move on with her life, too.

The Volunteers is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the redemptive force of the woods and wildlife. It underscores the universal need for belonging and illustrates how, even in the most unexpected places, we can find a community to call our own.

What’s it like?

Insightful. Humorous. Tender. Donaldson explains in simple terms how the reduction in conservation funding over the years has impacted conservation groups and explains clearly – with just the right amount of detail – how and why her volunteer group pursue the activities she plans. Why do groups spend time pulling up sycamore seedlings, coppicing and making faggots, to name just a few tasks that might puzzle the public!

Chapters shift between accounts of life within the volunteer group and the tasks they complete – installing a kissing gate or completing a pond survey – and frequent appreciations of nature. Chapter four, for instance, moves seamlessly between reflections on the beauty of summer, the typical social class of conservation volunteers, people’s reasons for volunteering and Donaldson’s will-they, won’t-they relationship with one of her volunteers. I loved her evocation of the seasons:

‘Starlings flew in jubilant teenage gangs around the rooftops of the old city, joined by the swifts, sky-anchoring in a joy of tumbledown flight. Out in the fields, flowers fell across the downs and the grass was a hot mass of butterflies.’

Final thoughts

Donaldson’s honesty means this is a genuinely touching memoir. Heartbroken by her ex-fiancé, then puzzled by the mixed signals sent by one of her volunteers, she is a woman in need of community and the delight she takes in the developing group spirit is a powerful reminder of the good that being part of a community can sow.

Mental health is a key topic that arises, as Donaldson herself struggles with overwork and some of her volunteers struggle with their life choices. This is dealt with sensitively and honestly, recognising that limits to state support can combine with other difficulties to prevent vulnerable individuals reaching their potential. Sadly, not all problems can be fixed with a cuppa.

I really enjoyed reading this memoir of a growing community, while learning a little about conservation work. A gentle tale that reinforces the value and power of companionship, the natural world and a bit of hard work.

‘The Volunteers’,
Carol Donaldson,
2024, Summersdale, paperback
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Anne Cater’s Random Things Tours for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and a spot on the blog tour.

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