Volunteering at Brockholes very quickly became a highlight of my week. Saturday mornings, come rain or shine, rangers are patrolling the reserve to make it a better place to visit and make sure the sanctuary of nature is preserved. While the role of a ranger is important and does require diligence, it is mostly a meditative and peaceful way to spend your time, and for me, gave a dedicated time of the week to try and feel close to nature again after a week in front of the screen.

As a young professional, I think it is an understatement to say that our screens detach us from the natural world and despite the cliché, doing something about it can give a massive boost to your mental state. On top of that, being surrounded by people who know Brockholes well and the nature that calls it home makes every Saturday morning a learning experience. Going to the same place every week gives you a magical appreciation for how the place transitions through the seasons, to call it picturesque doesn’t do justice to its animated presence. In the last few weeks of my time at Brockholes, I got the opportunity to see my first osprey, perched in the opposing field, looking for something to eat in the clearing below. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to wish Brockholes farewell for now.