From Hull to Mull - My Experience Moving To Volunteer with HWDT
Meet Jess who has joined HWDT this summer as Outreach Assistant, helping deliver events and activities in our Discovery Centre
My experience moving to Scotland – specifically Tobermory on the Isle of Mull – after finishing my undergrad back in England has been anything but uneventful (in the best way possible!). After completing my three-year degree at the University of Hull in Marine Biology during the COVID-19 Pandemic, I decided it was time for a new adventure. So, after successfully being selected by the HWDT to be one of their Outreach Volunteers for the 2022 season, I moved all the way from Hull to Mull. I found it quite ironic that this location change was large geographically but not alphabetically – just five letters along to be exact!
Originally being from a small town in Northumberland just north of Newcastle and growing up practically on the coast, I fell in love with most things marine related from a young age, particularly marine conservation. I have therefore always lived relatively close to Scotland until I moved away for university. But apart from visiting Edinburgh and a few other places when I was younger (not that I can remember much!), I had never really seen much of Scotland or ventured far past its borders. I was very unsure what to expect moving to Scotland, especially an island along its western coast only accessible to the mainland via ferry.
My initial thoughts after arriving to Tobermory just over a month ago now were that even though the weather is sometimes unpredictable and the hills can sometimes be a killer at the end of a long day, this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Even though Tobermory itself is not huge, its community spirt and friendliness does not go unnoticed. From the colourful and nostalgic houses featured in the children’s programme Balamory to the local establishments each offering something different, it is obvious that this town is full of character and personality which is almost in a way infectious.
So far, I have had the most amazing and unforgettable time volunteering with the HWDT. Being able to play an active role in the conservation of porpoises, dolphins and whales (as well as other marine species) has been so rewarding and everything I hoped for and more. Talks in the HWDT Discovery Centre, guided walks along Hebridean Whale Trail sites, and public engagement at events such as the Tobermory Producers Market are just a few of the many activities I have been lucky enough to carry out during my time with the HWDT so far. But the best bit is definitely being able to see all the amazing wildlife that the Isle of Mull has to offer, whether that be in the air, on land, or out at sea! Meeting so many new friendly people with similar interesting has really made me feel like I am a part of the HWDT team and I cannot wait to see what I get up to over the rest of the summer months here in the Scottish Hebrides!
Jess joins three other Outreach Assistants here in Tobermory to run guided walks, watches and talks through our Discovery Centre. If you are on Mull make sure and pop in to say hello!
Abby, Caroline, Felix and Jess - Outreach Assistants Summer 2022 at Glengorm