This blog post was written by Ben Curl the Project Apprentice, In this blog he talks about the last 12 months working at the Trust.

Hello! My name is Ben, and I’m the Project Apprentice for the All Hands On The Don project. As I reach the 12-month mark in this role, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my journey so far. Time has flown by, and I can’t express how grateful I am to be in this position at the Don Catchment Rivers Trust.

I’ve always been an outdoor enthusiast. As a kid, I was constantly covered in mud, much to my mum’s frustration—sorry, Mum! Now, to my younger self’s disapproval, I do my own washing, and let me tell you, it’s a lot harder than I ever imagined.

My 2nd day at DCRT litter picking at Swinton Breks.

Unlike most people in this sector, I got into conservation later on in life. I originally pursued music production in college and university, believing that this was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life. However, as lockdown hit and I neared the end of my first year at university, I found myself falling out of love with the subject. The traditional student life wasn’t for me, and I chose not to re-enroll.

After my brief time at university, I began looking for college courses in environmental conservation. That’s when I found a two-year course at The Sheffield City College. This course taught me about conservation, habitat management, plant identification, and health and safety. It provided me with the technical and practical skills to start looking for a related job.

While studying, I worked at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. This was a great place to work and allowed me to continue to learn practical skills whilst developing my interpersonal abilities. I worked with children and adults from all walks of life, and the experience helped shape my confidence and creativity.

Into The Park- Edlington September 2024.

Joining the Don Catchment Rivers Trust

Since joining the Trust, I’ve expanded my knowledge in conservation, learning about habitat restoration, natural flood management, how to log data from surveys and much more. The Trust has supported me every step of the way, helping me build confidence and refine my skills by signing me up for training days and events.

At Doncaster College, in my Level 3 Business Administration course, I’ve learned essential skills such as understanding different business models and structures, how to use new digital tools to enhance my workflow, and how different legislations affect my job at the Trust. Both the College and the Trust have shown me how to collaborate effectively when meeting new organisations and understanding views different from my own. Overall, these last 12 months have helped me develop key skills necessary for working in any sector while playing a key role in my professional development.

Finding My Place

At the beginning of my apprenticeship, I was hesitant to write a blog post. I felt like an imposter in this field, questioning myself. However, thanks to the encouragement of my colleagues, our dedicated volunteers, and the incredible people I’ve met within and outside of our catchment area, I’ve come to realise that I do belong here.

I love the work we’re doing to improve our rivers, restore nature, and strengthen communities. This apprenticeship has given me a sense of purpose and direction, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. When my time at the Trust eventually comes to an end, I know that I’ve had the best possible training.  I’ll carry these experiences and skills with me into the future.

Photo taken from my last volunteer day 18/03/2025 Barnby Dun.