ONE of Hampshire’s major volunteering events takes place this month.

The New Forest Volunteer Fair is organised by the New Forest National Park Authority and brings together dozens of local groups to help budding volunteers find their perfect role.

Hundreds of people are again expected to visit the free fair on January 28.

Open from 10.30am to 4pm at Lyndhurst Community Centre, the fair showcases a whole host of roles, including recording wildlife, inspiring youngsters, restoring landscapes and helping some of society’s most vulnerable.

More than 30 organisations have signed, including Pondhead Conservation, Patrick’s Patch at Fairweather’s Garden Centre, Countryside Education Trust and the Forestry Commission.

As well as helping local communities and the environment, volunteering is also good for volunteers, helping them find friends, reach out to the community, improve your mental and physical wellbeing and even advance your career.

Gemma Russhard from Tiptoe became involved in volunteering projects in the National Park when she moved to the area. She said: ‘I helped to clear the ground for heathland restoration. I run, cycle or walk in the New Forest most days and I wanted to give something back and to help the Forest thrive in any way that I can.”

Volunteer Ian Searle from Bransgore said: ‘I joined the team of volunteers for several sessions clearing invasive trees at Harrow Wood in Bransgore. The progress we made at each session gave an enormous sense of satisfaction.”’

John Rowan of Barton on Sea said: “During 2016 I got involved with three distinct projects. Natures Stepping Stones had me scrub bashing and clearing trees, an archaeological dig at Bucklers Hard had me uncovering the past and the Living Waters project introduced me to water testing. Without exception all were enjoyable experiences with opportunities to meet wonderful people and learn skills. It’s great to feel that through the National Park Authority I’m making a positive, albeit small, contribution to New Forest conservation for future generations.’

Patsy Baverstock from Southampton said: “I volunteered to pull Himalayan balsam this year and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“We went to many different places, some where the balsam was very dense and other places where the impact of previous pulls could be seen.

“I found the work satisfying and very enjoyable, being on land the general public don’t get to, with the peace and beauty of the area being an added bonus.”

And Graham Kesby from Southampton added: “As a member of the New Forest RSPB group I was invited to volunteer for two New Forest bird surveys.

“Our Past, Our Future and New Forest Winter Birds survey have helped me discover different parts of the New Forest and improve my bird identification ability.

“I feel I am doing something worthwhile by contributing statistics of bird counts and it has helped improve my quality of life by getting out in the fresh air and meeting similarly minded people.”

To find out more about the New Forest Volunteer Fair visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/volunteerfair