Voluntary Environment Volunteer Roles

Job Title: Trustee

We are working in partnership with the Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT), one of the largest of the 46 Wildlife Trusts, which together make up The Wildlife Trusts Partnership. KWT is a parent charity supported by three income-generating subsidiaries (an ecological consultancy, a high-integrity carbon offset scheme and a trading arm), which together with the charity make up the Kent Wildlife Trust Group (KWTG). Their Wilder Kent 2030 strategy was launched in 2023, with a vision for creating a nature-rich, climate-resilient Kent, and in acknowledgement that we must act now at scale to recover nature across Kent, and the entire UK.

An exciting opportunity has now arisen for a new Trustee to join KWTG’s Board of Trustees. The new Trustee will support the governance and strategic leadership of KWTG, and alongside standard commitments, the new Trustee will bring specific knowledge and professional expertise in regard to UK nature, conservation and/or natural resource and climate challenges, and with direct experience of using political and/or economic levers to influence this agenda.

Candidates with experience of the green/carbon finance markets, sustainability and ESG, environmental departments/agencies, and conservation impact measurement are actively sought.

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate:

• Professional alignment to KWTG’s mission and approach to addressing the climate and nature crisis through action and innovation.
• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with a willingness to engage with peers, senior staff, and key stakeholders, to facilitate strategic decision making and calculated risks.  
• Previous experience as a Board member, with an understanding of charity governance is highly desirable.
• Experience of taking an entrepreneurial approach towards developing and implementing business-based solutions is highly desirable.

Trustees serve for an initial term of three years and will have the opportunity to be re-appointed for two further terms (maximum of nine years). The Board of Trustees (Council) meets at least four times a year at their headquarters in Maidstone. As a minimum commitment, Trustees are expected to attend Council and be available for regular consultation and input on a range of issues between meetings, usually via email. Trustees are also expected to attend the AGM, at least one All Trust Day and participate on sub-committees or subsidiary company boards as required and according to their skill set.

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your expression of interest should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Closing date: 28th May 2024

Charisma interviews must be completed by 3rd June prior to shortlisting on the 4th

People & Planet is looking for volunteers to assist with compiling its 2024/25 People & Planet University League; the only higher education ranking that classifies based on ethics and climate justice criteria.

Universities impart skills and knowledge, form life-long beliefs and behaviours, act as centres of communities, employ, house and feed large numbers of people and promote the creation and sharing of knowledge. We believe this makes them uniquely placed to lead on environmental and ethical issues. For this reason the People & Planet University League has been running since 2007 and has been published by high-profile media partners such as The Guardian and the Sunday Times Good University Guide eco-rating.

Volunteers will research publicly available university documents and assess universities against our marking criteria, which cover a wide range of climate and social justice issues including decarbonisation, fossil fuel divestment, ethical banking, workers’ rights and environmental management among others. This work will help to incentivise the university sector towards taking immediate and appropriate action on the climate crisis and upholding the rights and wellbeing of all people internationally.

The role will develop and improve the following areas:

● Qualitative research skills
● Attention to detail
● Use of data collection software
● Time management and keeping to deadlines
● Working independently and remotely
● Communication skills
● Knowledge of environmental management processes and sustainability reporting.

Training is provided for the role. We believe the skills and experience gained could be valuable for a number of career paths, including working in NGOs, corporate sustainability, estates management, higher education policy making, research and campaigning among many others. People & Planet would like to support volunteers in their future careers, so will give all volunteers an official reference letter on successful completion of their placement and will act as a referee for future positions for which you may apply.

From last year’s cohort, 100% said they would recommend this position to someone who wanted to add experience to their CV.

Feedback from some of last year’s volunteers

‘I think as someone looking for relevant experience to bolster a CV, this is a helpful and not-too-time consuming position. It had exactly the kind of flexibility that I required at this point in time.’

‘It's a really great opportunity to hone one's research skills, learn more about what our universities can do to improve their impact on the planet, and make a small but real difference.’

Person Specification -the following are essential:

● Access to a computer or laptop and internet connection.
● Familiarity with desk-based research.
● Ability to work accurately and efficiently to agreed standards.
● Reliability and commitment to completing work to deadlines.
● Able to communicate needs with staff at People & Planet and if needed, ask for appropriate support to complete tasks on time.
● Ability to search policy documents for specific information in English.
● Ability to assess information against standardised frameworks.
● Ability to work remotely and independently

The following are desirable:

● Awareness of current issues in sustainability and ethics.
● Experience of research and data collection.
● An interest in higher education policy.

You will need to commit to

● Three 25 hour weeks of remote work in July and August. Volunteers can manage their own
time flexibly and will receive support from People & Planet, but must meet task deadlines
on a weekly basis and attend two meetings per week in a mid-morning time slot.
● One day of remote training the week prior to your 3 week engagement.

Summer timetable

July 8th-July 26th- Ethical Investment and Banking, Staff and Student Engagement,
Education for Sustainable Development
July 22nd-9th August-Sustainable Food, Staff & HR, Environmental Policy and Strategy
5th August-23rd August- Managing Carbon, Workers’ Rights, Ethical Careers and
Recruitment, Environmental Management and Auditing

How to Apply

Click apply and fill in the screening questions and attach a C.V that has your full name in the filename. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until positions are filled, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. The deadline for applications is June the 14th 2024 Candidates will need to attend an interview, which could be organised individually or as part of a group.

Please let us know if you have specific access needs and what we can do to make the interview, training and volunteer experience more accessible to you. We welcome people with hearing loss, deaf and or disabled people to apply for this volunteer opportunity -unfortunately we don't use BSL so would need to make alternative support provisions for the training, unless a BSL interpreter can join you. If you have specific needs where we might support you by making this volunteering opportunity more accessible, please contact

People & Planet welcome applications from BAME folks and people of colour, from disabled people, from LGBTQI*people, from people who speak English as a second language, from people who identify as non-binary gender, from women, from people of different ages, from people with caring responsibilities and from people with irregular migration status, people seeking asylum in the UK or with a migrant background, folks with a working class background, and everyone else.

Could you become a CRT Trustee?

Are you passionate about restoring the countryside? About maintaining working farms and woods, promoting nature- and landscape-friendly farming?

Do you have professional skills in ecology, conservation, environmental land management, nature-friendly farming, countryside education and/or community engagement, fundraising or marketing, and live near one of our major properties? And ... would you be prepared to offer your time and experience as a Trustee?

The Countryside Regeneration Trust is seeking new trustees to help to steer the charity forward at a very exciting time. Our plans for the next ten years will involve greater engagement with local communities around our larger farms in Cambridgeshire, Herefordshire, Dorset and south-east England. We are also stepping up agroecological approaches to land management, with nature at the heart of food production. This includes new activities to restore nature where opportunities exist to do so.

Helping to manage a national charity is not for the faint hearted. Trustees must make important decisions, be prepared to face challenges and be confident in overseeing the management of the organisation – its finances, staffing, policies and other work that is vital for delivering the charity’s objectives. As a national charity, the CRT is supported by a team of staff, contractors and tenant farmers who undertake the day-to-day work of the organisation. The Trustees provide essential oversight for them.

Terms of Appointment

• Attendance at least 75% of Board of Trustee meetings, in Central London or Cambridge, (plus online options). These meetings are normally held once per quarter.

• Trustees work collaboratively the CEO and senior leadership team, in working groups and committees. Typically, these committees will meet 4-6 times a year. These meetings are mostly online; new trustees will join two of these committees.

• Occasional further contribution to provide mentoring, advice, and guidance.

• Trustees are elected for a term of three years, which may be renewed for one further three-year term.

Trustees are the sole members of the charity. 

Further information about the charity is available on the website. Our latest annual report and accounts can be downloaded from the Charity Comission website.

Alpine Garden Society President and Board Chair person 

Thank you for expressing interest in joining the Board of the Alpine Garden Society as our President and chair. You do so at an exciting time for the charity as it seeks to embed recent changes to thrive for another 90 years.

Since our founding in 1929 we have been a specialist interest society that has aimed to share our passion for growing and conserving alpine plants. With the increased pressures on society with smaller gardens and the advent of social media, alpines are enjoying a resurgence and so we wish to see the society grow from the strong foundations of the past.

The last five years have seen us adapt to change and develop to the modern society we are today. Our switch to embracing digital technology and use of modern communication has allowed us to harness the decades old love of our interest and bring it to new audiences on a global stage. We continue to indulge in traditional activities like garden visits, plant fairs and shows that we are renowned for by our loyal members.

The next chapter on our journey to our centenary sees consolidation of our operation and putting our membership at the heart of what we do to deliver our charitable mission. We wish to grow our membership from a stable base and seek new and exciting ways to inspire people through our passion for plants.

About Us

Welcome to the Alpine Garden Society! We are one of the largest specialist garden societies in the world. The Society has a wide interest in plants that encompass not only true alpine and mountain plants, but also small hardy herbaceous plants, hardy and half-hardy bulbs, hardy ferns, hardy succulents, and small shrubs. We are passionate about plants.

The Alpine Garden Society was founded in December 1929. The main purpose of the Society was, and still is to educate its members and the public on alpine plants, their cultivation and conservation. We achieve our charitable objectives through staging our National Shows, publishing our quarterly Journal, The Alpine Gardener and by organising talks, events and conferences. Ever since its inception the Society has also built displays incorporating alpine plants at various national Flower Shows.

We are passionate about the conservation of alpine plants and as a registered charity, we fund cultivation and conservation projects across the UK and abroad. We also encourage the development of knowledge and skills in the alpine field by funding the AGS Trainee Scheme.

Alpine Garden Society members enjoy exclusive benefits such as expert-led AGS Expeditions tours all over the world and access to one of the biggest seed exchanges in the world.

The Alpine Garden Society is governed by a Board of Trustees and run by a director alongside a small staff cohort and a team of dedicated volunteers.

We are located adjacent to Pershore College in Worcestershire, where we maintain a quarter of an acre alpine garden adjacent to our office. We have a network of AGS local groups located around the country who stage regional shows, talks and events.

Person Specification – who we are looking for

• An inclusive, empathetic, transparent approach to leadership
• A passion for alpine plants
• A balance of independent judgement and an ability to work effectively as part of a cohesive Board
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• A diplomatic, clear, tactful approach, with the ability to listen and engage effectively
• A demonstrable understanding of the role of charity Board Members

• Proven experience of working effectively with a Board, with an ability to make the most of the skillsets around the table
• Experience of non-profit governance, ideally in a board capacity
• Experience playing a key role in an organisation’s evolution and growth

Role Responsibilities and Duties (three year term)

The President/Chair of the Society has a dual role.  In addition to having the same responsibilities as any trustee they also have to act as a team leader with the extra duties and responsibilities that accompany this role.

General responsibilities of the President/Chair

Providing leadership for the board as it fulfils its governance duties and responsibilities toward the organisation, including :

• setting vision, values, mission strategy and high-level policy in accordance with charity regulations and the governing document
• monitor the organisation's performance against established targets
• securing financial stability for the organisation
• assisting the Treasurer to protect and manage organisation property and investments
• safeguarding the organisation's reputation and values
• must guide the Board to ensure that the Society operates in line with its charitable purposes
• must always act in the best interests of the organisation as a whole and not allow any personal interest to sway policy making
• making sure all organisational activities comply with regulations and the law
• reviewing major risks and making provisions for the organisation to respond appropriately
• appointing and managing the Chief Executive Officer (Society Director)
• organising and leading board development activities such as self-assessments
• delegating the above duties appropriately

Specific duties:

Meetings

· planning meeting schedules and setting agendas, in close liaison with the Society Director

· leading meetings and facilitating discussion, encourage all trustees to participate and prevent the more talkative members from dominating the debate

Board  leadership

· Alongside the society director, lead trustee recruitment and induction

· Ensure that the whole board is engaged - A Chair must not allow cliques or inner circles to form or allow cliques to influence policy to suit their own personal interests or those society activities in which they are interested.

· Utilise the skills and interests of all board members.

· To oversee the establishment and activities of the board committees, ensuring they are accountable and report properly to the board.

· Deal with conflict on the board

· Give direction to board policy -making.  Exercises leadership by setting priorities for the board and steering discussion toward strategic issues

· Monitor the implementation of board decisions

· Work closely with other Officers

Representing the organisation

· Represent the organisation at functions and meetings (both internally and externally), and acting as a spokesperson as appropriate

Financial & legal responsibilities

· The President must be prepared to be a signatory on the Society bank mandates and other official investment documents.

Limited Companies

· Act as a Director of each limited company and also a signatory on the bank mandate forms.

· Undertake the necessary ATOL training and pass the certification process to be the responsible person ATOL holder on behalf of the limited company.  This also involves ensuring that the necessary ATOL quarterly returns are accurately completed and submitted on time to the CAA.  In addition to ensure that the correct documentation and renewal forms are completed as part of the annual ATOL licence renewal process. 

· Ensure that the necessary insurance policies are in place with regard to AGS Expeditions Ltd.

· Assist and advise with the planning of AGS Tours.

Staffing

· Work closely with the Society Director who acts a the CEO to the Society.  Both the Director and the President should liaise regularly and work together as a team on behalf of the board.  They should jointly seek ways of improving board effectiveness.

· Recruitment - oversee the selection process when a new Society Director is appointed.  This will entail ensuring that an appropriate job description is produced, proper selection procedures are followed and also representing the board on the appointment panel. 

Renumeration

The position is a voluntary role although all reasonable expenses in pursuit of exercising the role will be covered

How to Apply

To apply for the president/chair role, please provide the following documents:

• An up-to-date CV.
• A supporting statement. Please submit a PDF document (maximum two pages) that outlines a bit about you, what you feel is your most relevant experience qualifying you to be our president, and why you’re interested in becoming president of the Alpine Garden Society. Moreover, we would like to understand how you perceive the role of Chair of a charity like Alpine Garden Society, how you might approach the relationship between Chair and CEO and what is your vision for the society.

Interested in volunteering with Cumbria Wildlife Trust on the ‘The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery’ project? The Bay is a nature and wellbeing programme of events, offering people living around Morecambe Bay area, the opportunity to get outdoors, connect with nature, and take part in a range of activities.

Do you love coastal wildlife? Barrow-in-Furness at the northernmost point of the Bay project area, is home to Earnse Bay. Low tide here reveals rockpools teeming with life- from anemones to starfish. These are amazing creatures that when observed or handled, help reconnect people with nature through their sound, scents and textures.

Are you a people person? Help bring coastal wildlife to people who don’t know about Earnse Bay rockpools, or the people who aren’t able visit the beach.

Becoming a rockpool roadie, is a unique opportunity to learn new conservation and people skills. Help Cumbria Wildlife Trust bring wildlife to more people, and more people to wildlife.

We’re looking for volunteers to shadow friendly members of staff to:

 -visit the rockpools at Earnse Bay, collect rockpool creatures and take them to places like care homes for people to enjoy.

-engage with organisations such as care home residents, providing information on Earnse Bay’s coastal wildlife and promoting the work of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust in general.

-allow people to engage with rockpool creatures. The aim is for people to ‘connect’ with the creatures and one another, increasing peoples’ mutual happiness, health and sense of nature.

-after their day out, all rockpool creatures will then need to be put safely back onto the beach.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a rockpool roadie? Want to learn more about this role? We'd love to hear from you.

Fancy doing something different and making a difference?.

Help to keep our beautiful Cumbrian beaches clean and free from litter that could harm wildlife.

Abandoned fishing gear, plastic and other debris in the oceans poses a key threat to marine life.

We organize regular events up and down the Cumbria coast

For our organised beach cleans, all you need to do bring is with a pair of gloves. Wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear.

We provide litter pickers and bin bags for you to use.

We will do quick analysis of rubbish. Prizes will be awarded for the most litter collected and the most bizarre item found!

There will also be the opportunity to learn about Cumbrian marine life.

If this role is for you, then we’d love to hear from you.

Would you like to help us monitor our restored hay meadows? Do you have some plant ID skills or are keen to develop your skills? Then join our team of meadow surveyors.

Surveying grassland hay meadows that Cumbria Wildlife Trust has restored, or has the  potential to restore. This involves counting the cover of wildflower species and grass species within celled quadrats at random locations across the site.

• Previous botanical ID skills would be ideal but not essential if the participant is happy to learn.
• Survey skills using quadrats will be required to carry out the task but these skills can be taught too.
• A willingness to work with other volunteers as a pair to carry out the survey.
• We would like to ask for a minimum of one botanical survey (2 full days of surveying) per year.

Our grassland team works on many grassland sites; some being our own sites, on partner organisations sites, various landowners and farmers holdings etc.  With the help of our grassland survey volunteers, we are able to revisit more of our restored sites to monitor its progress and success which can support our future restoration work.

Fancy doing something different and making a difference?

Explore and record our coastal and marine wildlife.

All welcome!

Our marine projects (‘My Local Catch’ and ‘The Bay’) run a range of regular coastal surveys along the Cumbrian coast.

From ‘Shoresearch’ citizen science projects, rocky shore walkovers, sediment cores, plankton surveys, shark egg case hunts and land-based dolphin spotting, there are many ways you can volunteer and learn about our amazing coastal and marine life.

For our organised coastal events, please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear.

If any of these events are for you, then we’d love to hear from you.

Wildlife and Nature Conservation Opportunity

We're looking for a few individuals to join our team who want to make a genuine difference. Wildlife for All is refreshingly different, embracing a deeper approach to nature conservation.

We train our team members to understand how psychological attitude has a huge impact on project effectiveness. Previous conservation experience isn't needed because of our very different, pioneering way of working. We provide all the necessary training to be part of our highly successful work, starting at our nature reserve in Sussex, England. We also run a massive nature reserve in South Africa.

You need to be willing to challenge yourself, learn to work hard, and want to be the best you can be. This is a unique opportunity.

Please see the "Interviews" page of the Wildlife For All website for details of how to apply.

British Registered Charity 1006174

Do you love nature? Do you enjoy meeting people? Why not help support Cumbria Wildlife Trust events in South Cumbria, at Staveley Woodlands & Brown Robin nature reserves.

The role will be based at our Staveley Woodlands & Brown Robin nature reserves and predominantly outdoors. Our events at both locations are varied, so your duties will differ from event to event.

Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers often run events at nearby reserves and sometimes need an extra pair of hands.  We need someone who can help with fetching and carrying, supporting attendees, act as a backmarker on walks and generally help the event run smoothly.

Although no experience is necessary, being able to get along with people from all walks of life is essential, as is an ability to deal with uneven ground.  The benefits are great company and feeling that you’re helping people discover the natural world.

This is a very flexible role. Choose which events you’d like to help with.

Travel costs will be reimbursed and lift sharing can often be arranged on request.

This volunteer role is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Duration: Sessions will be ad hoc but will be planned well in advance, giving you plenty of notice, and may last from two hours to a full day. 

Want to learn more about this Role?

Interested in volunteering with Cumbria Wildlife Trust on the ‘The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery’ project? The Bay is a nature and wellbeing programme of events, offering people living around Morecambe Bay area, the opportunity to get outdoors, connect with nature, and take part in a range of activities. Barrow-in-Furness is at the northernmost point of the Bay project area.

Do you love wildlife? Experience and share the joy of the rich variety of habitats and wild plants and animals that live in The Bay, with event visitors.

Are you a people person? An approachable and friendly manner. Have confidence in talking to members of public, of varying ages and backgrounds.

Becoming a community events volunteer, is a unique opportunity to learn new conservation and people skills. Community event volunteers help to connect people to nature and also help people take action to protect wildlife.

We are looking for volunteers to help set up and support the delivery of events which may include coastal stargazing, UV rock pooling, guided walks, codebreaking, egg case hunts, and craft activities. We also go into organisations such as care homes with our ‘portable rockpool’ to bring a little bit of nature to people who would struggle to get outdoors.

You don’t need to be a wading bird or starfish expert, just have a natural enthusiasm for the all the wildlife that you and event visitors will encounter.

This community focused role is based indoors or outdoors.

This is a very flexible role.

You can choose the events you’d like to help with.

Training, hot brews and support will be provided.

Travel costs will be reimbursed and lift sharing can often be arranged on request.

 Please note DBS (paid by Cumbria Wildlife Trust) may be required. Safeguarding training will also be provided.

Is this for you? Want to learn more about this role? We'd love to hear from you.

Love our coast and its wildlife? Take action to conserve it by training to become a Marine Champion!
Our training day in March for these roles is now fully booked but we hope to run another day at a future date,so contact us if you would be interested.

Help to take action for our coasts by helping to lead marine wildlife surveys on the North West Coast!

No previous experience needed, other than a passion for the marine environment and a keenness to get involved in assisting or leading surveys!

The training day will take you through how to set up, run and record a Shoresearch survey. This is the Wildlife Trust’s intertidal monitoring programme and at low tide we will do a rocky shore survey, where we lay a transect and along the shore, and do 12 randomly placed quadrats recording all of the species found in each. We will also focus on coastal awareness and species ID, as well as group management, communication and leadership skills.

After training day, you can choose to attend surveys. You can find out more about our upcoming survey days on our website

Our volunteers play an important part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will making a big difference, then join us here at RJ4ALL

About The Community Fridge Service

The RJ4All Community Fridge provides quality food to communities in South East London while simultaneously preventing food waste. Our Community Fridge is a social space that does not only meet the food needs of community members but also provide a space to connect with others

What will you be doing as a Food Waste Hero ?

• Collect surplus food from Tesco Surrey Quays on Sundays 4-6pm or Tesco Express Southwark Park Rd on Tuesdays at 8pm
• Collect surplus food in the locality on other days and times that fit in with your schedule.
• Assist with staff at the centre
• Meet new people and make connections

Who would this role fit? 

• You will be 18+
• You will live in SE16
• A car would be useful
• Flexible

Who are we?

Restorative Justice for All  (RJ4All) is a charitable, user-led international institute that was set up in 2013 by Theo Gavrielides with a mission to address poverty and advance community cohesion and human rights. 

Key details:

• Volunteer role

• Time required 1 day per week (can be split across 2 half days)

• Flexibility: Flexible hours, remote working

Overview:

• Zero Hour is searching for 2x volunteer Press & Comms Officers to help support grassroots campaigners maximise communication and local press coverage of any progress in their constituency.

• This role will support the existing Grassroots Manager and Political Communications Manager in ensuring that all campaigners have the local support they may require. 

• Volunteer or paid experience working for an environmental NGO or charity is preferable but isn’t essential. What we’re looking for is someone who has experience or understanding of drafting press releases and liaising with local media.
   

Key purpose:

• We’re looking for someone to help Zero Hour support local grassroots campaigners with local press at key milestones in their constituency pages ahead of the general election.

• Tasks include drafting, proofing and supporting distribution of local press releases.

• Support in building local press contacts and relationships that can be utilised at future dates.

• Researching and sharing any press pick up that happens in regions with relevant grassroots campaigners and group chats.

Personal specification: 

• Experience in copywriting, drafting press releases

• Experience working with local media

• Confident and professional written and verbal communications skills, with an ability to engage and activate a range of people

• A keen eye for detail and an ability to manage projects and prioritise tasks

• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to find creative solutions

• The ability to work independently and prioritise tasks

• An interest in the key issues surrounding the climate-nature crisis (globally and at a UK level)

• Knowledge about the interconnections between social and racial justice and the environmental emergency

Competency of IT systems, such as Google and Microsoft applications, and particularly Excel, as well as, ideally, knowledge of how to build, inspire and activate a campaign database