Volunteer Spotlight on Emma Powell
“I was nervous the first time I led a group litter pick as I didn’t know anyone and had never done anything like it, but everyone is so friendly. I have made some lifelong friends through litter picking and feel part of the community now.”
Our volunteers are at the heart of what we do at Thames21. They dedicate their time to helping us improve London’s waterways, putting in many hours of hard work to make river restoration, citizen science, and data projects thrive.
As part of our Volunteer Spotlight series, we spoke to Emma Powell, who’s been volunteering with us for a few years now and runs Castle Point Clean Up Crew in Essex. She’s a hard-working and dedicated litter-picker and assisted Thames21 on the BRIC Project.
Please could you tell us about yourself and your background?
I first got into litter picking around 5 years ago. I applied to become a Litter Hero Ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy and set up my own group, Castle Point Clean Up Crew. We litter pick around twice a month which I have to fit around my full-time job as an Assistant Headteacher at a local primary school. I am the Sustainability Lead at my school and also lead on other environmental projects locally. The environment and sustainability are my passions!
How did you come across Thames21 and how long have you been volunteering with us?
I knew of Thames 21 through Clive, who volunteers with us and also provides us with annual stats on litter and litter-picking groups. However, it was only when Thames21 started the BRIC Project on Canvey Island a couple of years ago that I volunteered my time to help Thames21 with litter-picking and research for the project.
What do you enjoy the most about volunteering?
There are so many benefits to volunteering and litter-picking. I think the main ones for me are spending time outside in nature, which helps my mental health because I know I’m doing something actively positive for wildlife.
Tell us about one of your favourite experiences as a Thames21 volunteer.
I absolutely loved a litter-pick Thames21 did at Canvey Wick as I learnt a lot about the wildlife and history of the area, as well as making a positive impact at the same time.
What piece of advice would you give to those who want to start volunteering but don’t know where to start?
If you’re interested in volunteering, search online for a local group/events and contact the group leader. It can be hard to take that first step, but once you do, you won’t regret it. I was nervous the first time I led a group litter pick as I didn’t know anyone and had never done anything like it, but everyone is so friendly. I have made some lifelong friends through litter picking and feel part of the community now.
Thanks for all your hard-work and support, Emma!
If you’d like to be featured in our Volunteer Spotlight series, get in contact with us Thames21’s communications team at communications@thames21.org.uk