Amelie Surridge

At Whirlow Farm I have fed and watered animals, collected and washed eggs for sale in the shop and run guinea pig handling sessions for members of the public. I have also bottle fed lambs and mucked out enclosures. The skills that I have developed are working as part of a team, following instructions, being independent around the farm and how to look after animals. In addition I have developed my communication skills with a range of people. Recently I have led some volunteer sessions as the most experienced volunteer present.

I completed my Y10 work experience at Centre Barks Kennels and Cattery. Whilst there, I fed and cared for the dogs by cleaning out their kennels. I took them on walks at the centres exercise field and played with them in their playtime. I learnt about their diets and appropriate care and I worked as part of a team to ensure all the animals were well cared for.

Whilst at Mayfield Alpaca farm I fed and watered the animals, and cleaned out enclosures. I prepared food appropriate to each animal and learnt about care of wild and domesticated animals. I helped staff deliver animal handling sessions for the public involving snakes and helped with a birthday party for children where I flew the owls and introduced the owl to the children. I also helped to wash animals such as the tortoises. Whilst there I worked as part of a team with staff members and other volunteers.

At Stannington Library I took stock takes, processed new books and added them to the shelves. This involved putting on plastic dust sheets, adding library stickers and bar codes and then putting them into the correct library section. I also learnt how to organise the books on the shelves and worked as part of a team to maintain the library. I learnt communication skills with a range of people.