Our Communications Team

Woman being interviewed for the TV, man with microphone and second man behind a film camera by Wendy Carter

BBC interview by Wendy Carter

Working for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

Areas of work

Running our social media platforms (Facebook and Twitter) - making daily posts, coordinating content production (e.g. videos and photos) and monitoring and responding to comments and messages from members of the public.
Writing and issuing press releases, working across the Trust to identify stories and gather information. Training staff in media interviews.
Producing the Trust’ publications (e.g. magazines, leaflets) and interpretation (e.g. onsite signage). This involves working closely with colleagues and designers/printers.
Monitoring all external content ensuring information is correct and in line with branding guidelines.
Designing and running our website, ensuring content is up to date and relevant and tone is consistent.
Running our annual photo competition, securing use of images and co-ordinating photography volunteers.

Skills	Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills Strategic and operations planning Presentation skills Ability to adapt language/tone depending on audience and method of communication Ability to prioritise own work according to deadlines
Knowledge	Relevant marketing and communications techniques Understanding of digital and printed media Sound understanding of grammar Website development and management Basic knowledge of wildlife and environmental issues
Experience	Confident in communicating with a wide range of people Usually two or more years in a similar role Experience of working with designers and printers and an understanding of the processes
Personal qualities	Flexibility and able to rapidly respond to changing circumstances and demands Creative and able to use own initiative Self-motivated and initiative Interpersonal skills

Case Study: Wendy Carter, Communications Lead

I’ve always been passionate about wildlife but didn’t know where to start with it. My best friend’s parents were amateur archaeologists and they nurtured my interest in this…off I eventually went to university to study archaeology.  I thought I wanted to dig and conserve artefacts but when I had to take a Christmas temp job, I made sure it was in a shop that I shopped in and I realised that I really enjoyed working with people rather than objects. I eventually moved on to work in a tourist information centre, which led me to a tourism diploma and a role in the city’s destination marketing team, which I juggled with being a tour guide at a major castle. 

Dad was a journalist so I had written communication skills drilled into me.  I gained and honed other skills from university, jobs and extra training, which led me to becoming a Visitor Services Manager for a historic parkland. Responsible for visitor enjoyment, income targets and marketing, I implemented a series of events, managed a team of staff and volunteers and took the property from 10,000 to 60,000 visitors in just five years.  It was hard work but I loved it – I was working in an outdoors historic setting, my passion for wildlife was reignited and, yet again, I was surrounded by passionate and knowledgeable people.  

I didn’t think I’d get the job with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust – I had the passion but limited wildlife knowledge.  When I started, I was a bit intimidated by the expertise around me but everyone was so supportive and nurtured an inner naturalist that I didn’t know existed.  I love (almost) every moment of it. 