Which organisation are you involved with?
Cei Dev Ltd

What sort of volunteer work do you do and where?
I chair a community working group developing the Cardigan Bay Watch Project which hopes to establish a visitor centre based on environmental education. I further research, design and edit a community newsletter "Quay Notes" and distribute it to New Quay and surrounding areas.

How did you get started?
Identified a need within the community for a community newsletter and put forward the idea to Cei Dev to request funding. Also asked local businesses if they were keen to get involved and to advertise in it, and asked local groups about content.

How long have you been a volunteer?
Within Cei Dev I have volunteered since 1999 and I have been running the newsletter for just over a year and we have just published the fourth edition.

Are there any special skills you need to be a volunteer?
A belief in what you are doing, the ability to learn new skills, the ability to share the skills that one has with others, good communications and relationships with your community, patience and not to be put off when things go wrong.

How many hours a week/month do you give?
Approximately 15 hours a week for the newsletter and variable hours for the project depending on the stage that the project is at.

What are the best and worst things about being a volunteer?
The best things are when you are appreciated for the work that you do. The worst things are when you come across obstacles that you have no control over which are halting the progress of your work, and also being taken for granted.