THERE is no better opportunity to give something back in this world than volunteering, as Charlotte Curtis, who lives in Highbridge, will tell you.

Charlotte, 24, is currently one of around 600 people who give up their time to help out at Secret World Wildlife Rescue in East Huntspill, and now aspires in a career in animal care because of it.

“I’ve always been into animals but never really known what I want to do,” she said. “I did art at university but it just wasn’t for me, and when I moved to Highbridge a year and a half ago I started helping on the reception desk at Secret World.

“It was such an eye-opener and now I work with the resident animals and haven’t looked back.”

“This is my dream and I want to further my career with animals.”

The rescue centre relies on its volunteers and couldn’t survive without them.

Duncan Cousens, the volunteer co-ordinator, is desperate for more people to get involved and help out.

“There’s no way we could do what we do without the volunteers,” he said.

“We are always looking for more response drivers and administration help because it costs nearly £1 million to run the charity every year,” he said.

Hannah Meinertzhagen, 23, from Bristol, decided to help out every Thursday morning after spotting Secret World on a wildlife programme and focuses mainly on bird-handling, and has been a volunteer since March this year.

“When I finished my masters, I decided I wanted to do some volunteering,” She said: “I absolutely love working with the owls and it’s such a rewarding feeling to help out for a good cause.”

Likewise, Elaine Lambert, from Bristol, spends her Thursdays helping the injured animals in the hospital room, as well being a response driver on Fridays.

“I retired early at 55 and I love wildlife- birds are my thing. I began as a response driver three years ago and got involved with wanting to know what happened to the animal after it was brought in,” she said.

“I had already visited the centre when I started and regularly donate to it - it’s a fantastic cause.”

Steven Gibbs, from Highbridge, began his volunteering career at the centre in July, after visiting the open weekend.

“I work nights and would tend to just lounge around all day, so wanted to do something more worthwhile,” he said.

“I mainly work with the casualty pen and I absolutely love it here.”

“I usually do Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.”

For Gemma Hall, from Shepton Mallet, volunteering at Secret World was not only an opportunity but a lifeline.

She said: “My husband is currently a response driver and Although I am disabled and often in a severe amount of pain, I am quite happy to sit at a desk and answer the phone.

“I’ve been here about eight months and usually do two days a week which fits into my children being at school.

“For me personally, Working here gets me out of the house and my confidence has shot through the roof.

“The work the centre does for animals is amazing and I’ve made so many friends here.

“I’d recommend volunteering here, especially to disabled people as it just gets you out of the house for a few hours and can make such a difference. I don’t know what I’d do without Secret World now.”

The centre is keen to encourage more volunteers to join. For more information on how you can get involved, visit secretworld.org/ volunteer, or call 01278 783250.