Get a sneak peek behind the scenes at Hartlepool wildlife centre

Tees travel pic 8 - The visitor centre at RSPB Saltholme. Picture: Roger Ratcliffe.

The RSPB Saltholme site is celebrating Volunteers Week by encouraging people to get a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at what goes on at the venue near Hartlepool.

The volunteer open day will be held at Saltholme, which is on the Seaton Carew Road, on Wednesday, June 8.

It will run from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm, to give potential volunteers a preview of some of the work they could get involved in.

Sarah Pearce, Saltholme’s Visitor Experience Officer, urged interested people to get involved and see how they could make a difference. She said: “These days everyone leads such busy lives, but it’s those quiet days that could be turned into something really special.

“So what could be better than spending time immersed in nature, helping to give wildlife a home?

“All of our volunteers are fantastic, and we simply could not do what we do without them, but we need more.”

Officials have described Saltholme’s volunteers as the people who keep the popular reserve ticking.

They work in areas which range from the welcome team to the practical work groups.

Sarah urged people to “come down and join in for as long as they like, to get a real flavour of what it’s like to volunteer for the RSPB.

“There will be a chance to ask questions and go onto the reserve with some of the estate team.

The volunteer day is open to anyone who may be interested in joining up at Saltholme which boasts wetlands with hides for birdwatching including a play area, cycle path and cafe.

One of the site’s long standing reception volunteers, Geoff Harrison, said: “I have been volunteering here nearly five years now, so something must be right. It could be the birds, bees or animals, the staff, the visitors, or all of them that make for a really rewarding day.”

For more information about the day, contact Karen Black on (01642) 542070.

Anyone wanting more information about Saltholme should visit the website at www.rspb.org.uk/saltholme.

Volunteer Week runs from now until June 12. Anyone wanting more information should visit www.volunteersweek.org.