Welcome Ellie Saunders, our new Countryside Worker apprentice.
Ellie is native to Northumberland, having completed her A-Levels locally in 2022. Although she achieved qualifications in Maths, Physics and Geography, Ellie was drawn to working outdoors. Having taken up her Countryside Worker apprenticeship in late September, she’s hoping to gain new skills during the next 12 months and learn more about the local environment. She is particularly interested in learning how best to help preserve the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – and so are we!
The interview panel was impressed by Ellie’s sensitivity to scenarios involving working with the public, which she will doing plenty of in her role supporting our Coast Care lead Emma Wilson. She’ll be getting her hands dirty (or not - always wear gloves!) at our regular beach cleans and has already been involved with one-off activities like Barn Owl Box building.
Ellie is excited to start her apprenticeship as she feels like she is helping the community and doing something for the environment at the same time, which we feel couldn’t be more true working for the AONB.In her free time, you’ll find her walking her dog around Camboisbeach or the QEII Country Park, cross stitching and playing video games.
If you’re a Coast Care volunteer, look out for Ellie at future events and make sure to say hello! If you’re not already a volunteer, why not become one?