Conservation volunteers volunteer roles

At the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust we believe that the best way for people to understand and connect to wetlands is to experience them so we bring awe-inspiring nature up close.  You will be directly involved in shaping our visitors’ unforgettable experiences through your warm welcome, your interaction with them and the information that you provide.  We need friendly, outgoing people to help with the canoe safari operation, ensuring that our visitors feel part of something amazing.

The role may include providing health and safety talks, fitting visitors in buoyancy aids and helping them in and out of canoes, or you may undertake tours on our electric boat. 

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

What we do

Our initiative leverages technology to connect global experts, researchers and volunteers with frontline African communities to drive meaningful change. We support Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) by solving their operational, organizational development, and technical challenges, ensuring their growth and sustainability. In the process, we actively engage and mentor young Africans, equipping them with skills and experience as they work alongside us to address these challenges. Through our “ViP” program "Volunteer in Pairs”, we pair local youth with international volunteers, students, researchers and other like-minded individuals to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional growth while strengthening NGOs, CBOs and local capacity.

Volunteer Opportunities at Beneficence Hub Tanzania (BhT)

Are you passionate about making a difference in climate action and community development? Beneficence Hub Tanzania (BhT) is looking for volunteers, young researchers and international students to support African local Organizations (NGOs & CBOs) in tackling climate change and protecting the environment.

We are seeking volunteers (Researchers and International students) with expertise or in need to gain experience on in the following areas:

✔️ Community Forest Management

✔️ Forest certification

✔️ Biodiversity monitoring and conservation

✔️ Forest Resources Assessment

✔️ Strategic Plan Development

✔️ Risk Management

✔️ Project Finance

✔️ Human Resources & IT

✔️ Organizational Development

✔️ Climate change including Climate Financing

✔️ Environmental Conservation

✔️ Forest value chains

✔️ Innovative sustainable business & financing models

How You Can Contribute

✅ Support African Organizations in strengthening their initiatives

✅ Provide expert guidance and mentorship

✅ Work remotely or in person at our offices in Dar es Salaam, Moshi (Kilimanjaro), or Zanzibar with regular visits to our partners project implementation areas.

✅ Collaborate with local and international volunteers to mentor young professionals

✅ Conducting practical research on specific

✅ Involved in field work for specific data collection and analysis of the same

This is a unique opportunity to use your skills for a meaningful cause while gaining hands-on experience in international development and environmental sustainability.

Join Us!

Be part of a global movement driving real change! If you’re interested in volunteering, visit our website.

Hours: Variable - Tuesday mornings

Many people may be well aware of The Hospice of St Francis and the wonderful work done with both inpatient and community-based care, however they perhaps will not be aware of the extensive grounds at the Hospice and that they are cared for by a team of volunteers.

The seven acres of grounds are a mix of formal gardens, woodland and a wildflower meadow with a woodland walk and provide an opportunity for patients, visitors and staff to enjoy the benefits of a wonderful garden and a chance to enjoy our part of the Hertfordshire countryside with wonderful views across to Ashridge.

The ethos of the gardens is very much towards conservation with no use of insecticides or herbicides and with composting of all possible matter. Our aim is to encourage all wildlife in the gardens.

There are a group of about 35 individuals, who operate in teams responsible for their own section of the garden under head gardener, Gill Johnson. We are currently looking for extra help, particularly from people with gardening experience, although all are welcome. We meet on a Tuesday morning each week, with a break for coffee and cake mid-morning.

We carry on throughout the winter, although not in snow and ice. Winter jobs are a warming workout and include leaf raking; grass cutting (training on machinery provided); fencing; building 'dead' hedges.

To quote one of our gardeners “I work with lovely people in a wonderful setting and we are doing something really useful, what’s not to like?“

Position: Volunteer Urban Ranger
Responsible to: Urban Ranger
Location: Various outdoor spaces across BD3, BD4 and BD5
Hours: Anything from two hours here and there, to two days a week.
Expenses: Travel expenses will be reimbursed for bus tickets, train tickets or car mileage

-----------------------------------------------------

At Better Place Bradford, our mission is to identify and oversee improvements to local parks and outdoor spaces with the aim of providing a healthier and happier environment for babies, young children and families. We work across larger parks, pocket parks, community centres, streets and green spaces across BD3, BD4 and BD5.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, passionate, and highly motivated individual, who is looking to gain some practical landscape maintenance experience.

As a Volunteer Urban Ranger, you’ll play a vital role in maintaining the upkeep of our sites, regularly checking that each site is safe, inviting, and free from rubbish — noting any issues that arise.

Duties include: Litter clearance, sweeping sand back into the sand pits, weeding, planting, watering plants, affixing signs, checking in on the Little Free Library boxes, strimming, raking leaves, supporting at event days, promoting responsible use and enjoyment of our sites.

This role is for you if you;

• Enjoy being outdoors (in all weather)
• Are not afraid of physical work
• Want to make a difference in your local area
• Are comfortable getting to sites across BD3/BD4/BD5
• Enjoy interacting with members of the public
• Want to gain practical landscape maintenance experience
• Are looking for an intro into the environmental / conservation / ranger sectors

Volunteers must be in the UK already.

We’re WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife. We’re on a mission to restore wetlands because they are a wondrous solution to our world's problems. Together we will unlock their power – and help nature burst back to life. Because when wetlands flourish, all life will flourish. We lead the way, bring life and inspire connection. 

Volunteers are integral to the running of our Welney centre and without their help we wouldn’t be able to welcome our visitors to this amazing wetland. Your role will be helping to bring people of all ages and backgrounds closer to wetland wildlife, by providing assistance to visitors and encouraging them to explore the site and learn about WWT’s pioneering wetland conservation work, to save wetlands for wildlife and people. You’ll support the delivery of excellent customer service for the retail and membership team, inspiring people to support us as members of the WWT, and be a warm and welcoming face for our cause.

We are looking for volunteers who can ideally give one day a week, exact hours to be agreed. 

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

About The Role

 At WWT we believe the best way for people to understand and connect to wetlands is to experience them, so we bring awe-inspiring nature up close and let it do the talking. People feel part of something amazing and are motivated to make a difference.

By providing an excellent visitor experience as a member of the visitor services team, you will be encouraging our visitors to make the most of their visit to Washington Wetland Centre, and to understand and support our work to save wetlands for wildlife and people.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need.  

About You

To carry out this role, you will need:

• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Good listening skills, with the ability to adapt your approach to suit your audience
• Confident in the use of multi operation tills
• A confident attitude and/or experience of successful face-to-face contact with the public
• Commitment to excellent customer service
• An interest in and enthusiasm for the work of WWT
• The ability to work under your own initiative under the direction of the Visitor Services and Engagement Officer
• Commitment to undertake relevant training

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you'll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life

Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. As ‘the face of the waterway’, modern-day volunteer lock keepers play an integral part in the visitor experience. Their role is to provide a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors, assisting boaters through the locks and helping to maintain the area.

It’s a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the outdoors and are perhaps looking for something different to do and want to help support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Anyone can join as long as you are over the age of 18 and have a least a day a week available.

Our groups are entirely volunteer run and led. They are in the front line of engagement with local people, with an extensive programme of walks, talks, day trips and indoor meetings for the group and members of the public. We're looking for people who are passionate about connecting people with nature and helping in the smooth running of the group. By becoming part of the group, you'll have the chance to use your existing skills (and learn new ones) to build the group and make it an ever more important aspect of local RSPB connections with people. The roles available will depend on the group and can include:

• Publicity and / or social media
• Website editor
• Helping with organising and running events

Being a community group, you'll also have the opportunity to make new friends, have fun, and know you are enthusing people about the joys of nature. All you need is a willingness and ability to help with one or more of the varied activities of our RSPB groups, and able to give a minimum of a few hours each month. We have groups across the UK (see our map to find your nearest group). Feel free to contact your local group direct or go along to an event or two to find out more. If you can't find a group near you and would like to help set one up, please click on "Ask a question".

Notes: This opportunity is not based on a reserve and may not include practical conservation work. It is also not suitable for work experience. However it can usually be customised to your skills, experience and requirements depending on your situation.

We are committed to better reflecting society within our workforce and are keen to encourage more applications from people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and younger people.

Our House Experience Volunteers add the sparkle to any visit – giving everyone a warm welcome, bringing stories from Ickworth to life and helping people get the best out of their day. 

 This role will suit you if you are:

• Warm and friendly.
• Someone with a curious and inquisitive nature, with an ability to engage our visitors, ask questions and facilitate conversations.
• Able to listen thoughtfully and actively.
• Someone with exceptional customer service standards- a desire to put visitors before everything else.
• A good storyteller, with a talent for reading body language and thinking on your feet
• Sensitive to visitor and volunteer needs – working as an effective team member.
• Willing to develop your knowledge of Ickworth, its history and vast collections.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Responding to the diverse needs of visitors, including people with additional access needs.
• Sharing inspirational stories, curious facts and practical information or simply the space for visitors to wander at their own pace.
• Helping visitors to discover more, answering questions and making suggestions so they can enjoy their day, their way.
• Being an ambassador for the whole property and the National Trust. Helping visitors understand the full scope of the offer at Ickworth beyond the house.
• Learning more about Ickworth, so you can share your knowledge and stories of the family and their collections with visitors.
• Responding to the changing needs of Ickworth – supporting ongoing interpretation strategies in the House.
• Supporting with health and safety and evacuation procedures if required.
• Being part of a team that may need to adapt and change in response to local needs, National Trust priorities or changes to government guidelines 

 By getting involved you could· 

• Become part of a friendly and dedicated team.
  Spend time with us at Ickworth, learn about its history, stories and enjoy its beauty.
• Meet people from all walks of life
• Find an opportunity to use your existing skills and develop new ones.
  Improve your communication skills.
  Get a warm glow by knowing you have made a difference to someone’s day out with us.

 You’d also be joining Europe’s largest conservation charity and the wider National Trust team proudly looking after 780 miles of coastline, over 250,000 hectares of land, over 500 historic houses, castles, ancient monuments, gardens, parks and nature reserves (including lighthouses, villages, pubs and a gold mine!). We are a unique charity welcoming millions of people each year and with a vision to open up places for the benefit of everyone, for ever.

All National Trust volunteers will be asked to

• Respect and uphold the National Trust values whilst volunteering with us.
• Complete training required of all NT volunteers and any role specific training
• Adhere to relevant policies and processes including safeguarding, health and safety, and equality and diversity. 

 We want all our volunteers to feel welcome and to have an equally positive experience when volunteering with us. So, volunteers will:

• Be provided with the necessary induction, training, equipment and reasonable adjustments to do this role well and safely
• Be offered expenses to cover agreed travel costs between home and place of volunteering.
• Have remote access to support, news and rotas via our volunteer website 

Skills acquired: Adaptability, Communication Skills, Community Development, Customer Service, Event Support, Exhibition Arts, Fundraising, Interpersonal Skills, Public Relations, Public Speaking, Teamwork, Visual Arts

Volunteers are integral to the running of our Welney reserve and visitor centre and without their help we wouldn’t be able to welcome our visitors to this amazing 1300 acre wetland of international importance. Our volunteer team are friendly and committed, and say they benefit by gaining new experiences, meeting new people and sharing the story of our work.

At WWT Welney Wetland Centre we want to ensure that our visitors receive a warm, friendly welcome to ensure they have a memorable visit to our Visitor Centre and Reserve. In this role, you will be helping to bring people of all ages and backgrounds closer to wetland wildlife, by providing assistance for visitors to explore the reserve and learn about WWT’s pioneering wetland conservation work, to save wetlands for wildlife and people. In this role you will support the delivery of a range of interactive visitor engagement activities, including guided walks, and other seasonal activities, drawing people in by telling engaging stories about our work and inspiring people to support us as members of the WWT.

On a day-to-day basis, you’ll be answering visitor questions, helping them to navigate the reserve, and identifying basic wildlife. You'll get regular briefings to keep you up to date with what's going on at the centre, and we can offer coaching to help you feel more confident talking to our visitors and leading guided activities.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

At WWT we believe the best way for people to understand and connect to wetlands is to experience them, so we bring awe-inspiring nature up close and let it do the talking. People feel part of something amazing and are motivated to make a difference.

By providing an excellent visitor experience as a member of the Welcome and Information Team, you will be encouraging our visitors to make the most of their visit to Martin Mere centre, and to understand and support our work to save wetlands for wildlife and people. The role will include:

• Acting as the first point of contact for all visitors to Martin Mere, providing them with a warm welcome along with appropriate information to aid their visit.
• Conducting specific talks to the public – scripts and training are provided.
• Conducting activities such as opening the moth traps and using props to actively engage with visitors
• Conducting guided walks of the grounds and the reserve when required – training is provided.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need.

About The Role

With a wealth of experience and proven track record in scientific research, we create and conserve wetlands and save species. We collect data on a wide range of species on all of our reserves, it is important these data-sets are compiled and safely stored centre.

Reserve records help to inform WWT’s reserves’ management plans by highlighting species trends and population changes - this knowledge can then be used in order to safeguard species utilising WWT reserves. We are looking for a volunteer with good knowledge of the classification of organisms and competent IT data entry skills to assist us in inputting and processing of the data from Arundel.

Working with the Reserve Manager and wider team, you will:

• Help to input biological records from the Reserve onto spreadsheets and databases.
• Assist with the compiling and formatting of historical records collected at WWT Arundel.
• Liaise with volunteers and staff to clarify data and ensure full records are complete.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

About You

This role will suit you if you:

• Are experienced in data entry, data handling and the use of databases and spreadsheets
• Have a good understanding and knowledge of the classification of organisms
• Are self-motivated and have a good attention to detail
• Are happy to liaise with the team in an office environment

Please note, you must be over 18 to apply for this role.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you'll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life

We want your volunteering to be a positive and fun experience. You’ll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and other information you need.  This will include risk assessments based on your role and any particular support you need.

Volunteers receive access to our sites, and discounts in our shops and cafes. Some roles include a uniform or require the use of equipment or protective clothing.

If you are based at a particular site or office location, you’ll need to be able to get yourself there and back. Information on locations can be found on our website.

If you are interested in volunteering for WWT but don't wish to apply online, please email us. 

We will keep you up to date with what’s happening across WWT and the difference you will be helping to make happen.

Interested?

If you are interested in this role, please complete an application form so that we can talk it through further with you.

We look forward to hearing from you! 

The Whiteley Homes Trust owns and manages Whiteley Village near Walton on Thames, where we have been supporting older people in need for over a century. Our charity offers outstanding accommodation and care to around 400 older people, most of whom are beneficiaries and unable to buy or rent their own homes on the open market. We are proud to be one of the oldest charities in Surrey, and our Patron was the former Prince of Wales.

Our Clubhouse Community Café volunteers help us to add extra value to the service we offer. This role provides opportunities to make a direct impact on reducing social isolation, promoting inclusivity, creating awareness and helping local people who may not be able to afford food. 

Main Role:

Customer Service:

• Greet customers and take their orders.
• Serve food, beverages and alcohol promptly and courteously.
• Handle customer inquiries and resolve any issues.

Food Preparation:

• Assist in the preparation of food and drinks.
• Follow recipes and presentation standards.
• Hygiene and Cleanliness:
• Maintain cleanliness of the café, including tables, counters, and kitchen areas.
• Wash dishes and utensils.
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene regulations.

Cash Handling:

• Operate the cash register and handle transactions.
• Balance the till at the end of the shift.

Stock Management:

• Monitor stock levels and replenish supplies as needed.
• Assist with inventory checks.

We are looking for people who:

• Share our passion for community service
• Are friendly, approachable and like to work with the public
• Want to learn more about our work and share their enthusiasm with others

Whether you’re a jobseeker interested in a career in construction or woodwork, a student or recent college graduate seeking experience, or just someone with spare time on your hands, wanting to do something positive and meet new people, volunteering with the Touch Wood project at EMERGE 3Rs may be just the ticket!

Touch Wood is a wood recycling and upcycling initiative, which collects surplus and waste wood and timber and gives it a new lease of life, preventing it from being burned, chipped, or dumped in landfill.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Preparing wood for resale

* Assisting with the construction of wooden products, from small household items to pieces of furniture

Our Touch Wood volunteers are able to gain skills in practical woodworking, as we offer hands-on experience of working with reclaimed timber; from making basic lumber products ready for resale, through to assisting with the creation of bespoke items, such as kitchen equipment and home and garden furniture.

Full training in woodworking and health and safety is provided, along with Personal Protection Equipment.

The UK generates around 5 million tonnes of wood waste every year, but less than 1% is reused. Touch Wood rescues waste timber that would otherwise be landfilled or turned into woodchip; creating jobs and training opportunities for disadvantaged local people at the same time. We collect from construction sites, industrial estates and other commercial sources, reclaiming everything from pallets to indoor cycle tracks – you name it, we take it! Anything we can’t reuse is locally recycled, so nothing goes to waste. This reduces the carbon emissions associated with disposing of waste wood, offers cost savings for DIY enthusiasts, and provides training and job potential to volunteers in the workshop. Some of the timber we work with comes from high profile sources, including the entire track of the Manchester Velodrome cycling centre and wood removed in the recent refurbishment of Manchester’s historic Town Hall!

Our skilled team of staff and volunteers often use reclaimed timber to create beautiful and practical products, such as home and garden furniture. We regularly create bespoke pieces to order; some of it for famous clients like Olympic cycling champions Jason and Laura Kenny, for whom we made a table from the Manchester Velodrome track.

Please be advised that our volunteers require a fair level of physical fitness and manual dexterity as the role is entirely practical.

Our Touch Wood workshop and wood store is open Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 4pm.
We occupy a unit at Maynard House, inside New Smithfield Market, in Openshaw, North Manchester, which is accessed from the main entrance on Whitworth Street East (off Ashton Old Road). The site is served well by buses, and we have free parking onsite, as well as secure storage racks for pushbikes.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)