The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust is a charity which relies on the generous support of volunteers at all its wetland centres to help with conservation work and other daily tasks. It also organises team activity days for local companies and businesses giving them the chance to spend a day in the great outdoors while helping us to tackle larger projects.
Volunteer opportunities for individuals
There are opportunities for both indoor and outdoor work, on weekdays or weekends and on a regular or occasional basis – the amount of time spent volunteering is very much up to the individual.
Information desk
This is staffed by volunteers and it is usually visitors’ first point of contact inside the main visitor centre. You do not need to be an expert or have all the answers, but you do need to be helpful and friendly and be able to inform people about events, activities, recent sightings and generally point them in the right direction.
Grounds and reserve
Work in the grounds and reserve is varied and allows people to work to their own abilities. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, just bags of energy and enthusiasm. Much of the work is routine maintenance, raking grass, weeding, planting, coppicing, fencing and painting. You do need to be reasonably fit as the nature of the work is physical and you will be outdoors in all weathers. Sorry, but we do not have any current volunteering opportunities here.
Canoe safari and bike trail - seasonal only - main summer holiday period
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with these exciting activities. British Canoe Union lifesaving and first aid qualifications would be an advantage but are not a requirement. Duties will include providing equipment such as buoyancy aids, paddles, trail guides and helmets, giving an induction, and coordinating condition of loan forms.
Learning department
Some volunteers help with school and educational visits, usually taking small groups around the grounds. The tours in the grounds are varied to link with our dedicated educational programmes delivered by our Learning Manager.
Guided walks, tours and events
Volunteers also help with guided tours for other visitors. Other volunteers help in the creation of activities and props and we rely on volunteers to help with our weekend programme of family activities and also special events. Extra help is often needed during school holiday time as well.
An induction pack, training sessions and working alongside staff or experienced volunteers are all used to help volunteers extend their knowledge and fulfil their duties. There is also a social events programme to help keep volunteers in touch and up to date with everything that’s going on. Visitors and staff benefit greatly from the help given by volunteers and we hope that volunteers gain as much in return.
Volunteer opportunities for companies
Let us organise a day out of the office for you and your colleagues and see your workmates in a new light. On a team activity day you will join our wardens in tackling an outdoors project. The activity will depend on the time of year, the number in the group and on how muddy you want to get but it will be a fun and rewarding day. Improve staff morale, learn new skills and help with conservation at the same time.
We can also include guided walks, use of our canoe safari and bike trail (seasonal), use of our meeting rooms and refreshments in the package.
Contact us
If you would like further information or an informal chat about volunteering opportunities, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Eleanor Keatley, on 01554 741087 or e-mail her on eleanor.keatley@wwt.org.uk
