Volunteer Spotlight: Cornelia from Shropshire, UK
Meet Cornelia, a former architecture student from Shropshire with a knack for painting, a love of animals, and a serious talent for baking. Drawn to Barnton Bunker through Workaway, Cornelia’s interest was piqued by the unique architecture and rich history of the site. She's now spending a month volunteering at the Bunker, immersing herself in hands-on work and community living.
Cornelia isn’t new to volunteering. She previously lent a hand at a yoga and wellness retreat in Swansea and took part in a house restoration project in Atina, Italy. While she enjoyed both experiences, Italy stood out thanks to the daily gelato. These experiences helped prepare her for Bunker life, where adaptability and openness to new people and routines are essential.
At Barnton Bunker, Cornelia has taken on a variety of roles, from painting and laundry duties to animal care and cooking. She has a City & Guilds Level 2 painting qualification under her belt - having even painted a football changing room for her final sign-off - and puts those skills to good use around the site. She especially enjoys painting alongside others, finding satisfaction in the community they have whilst making progress together.
Though she’s happy to get stuck into communal tasks, Cornelia is most comfortable working independently. That said, she’s no stranger to working with diverse groups. Her studies and previous volunteering have prepared her well. She blends in easily, often helping out in the kitchen and taking care of the animals, and she particularly enjoyed the time she spent brushing the goats.
But Cornelia’s real superpower? Baking. Brownies, biscuits, cakes - she’s become the go-to baker for the volunteer team. Cooking for 20+ people has been a fun challenge, and while her baked goods disappear within minutes of hitting the table, she loves the joy and community that food brings.
She’s hoping to leave her month-long stay at the Bunker having made a positive contribution to the restoration work on the historical site, and built connections with like-minded people. Volunteering at the Bunker has given her the chance to contribute to something meaningful while living in a fun, communal setting.
