At Martin Mere Wetland Centre we have over 130 volunteers of all ages and walks of life who help us to run the education service, canoes, visitor services and help out in the grounds and on the reserve. But we need more!
There are many opportunities for volunteering at the Centre. The work includes teaching school groups, staffing the information desk, greeting visitors, being a ‘guide in the hide’, patrol wardening, grounds maintenance and gardening. It also includes spending a couple of hours at weekends helping visitors of all ages with simple craft activities and even story-telling.
Volunteers work alongside staff and other volunteers. If you make a regular commitment we provide WWT clothing, training and as much tea as you can drink! You also get staff discount in our excellent Mere Side Cafe.
Becoming a volunteer.JPG)
If you are interested please contact me at jane.barker@wwt.org.uk or call 01704 891224 and I will send you an application form. Alternatively download a form from the bottom of the page to complete and email in. Once I have received your completed application, I will arrange to have an informal chat so that we can work out the area which would best suit your skills and level of commitment.
Volunteer Opportunities
Weekend explainers
Are you looking for something interesting and stimulating to do on Saturdays or Sundays. Do you enjoy interacting with lots of people and having new challenges? Do you enjoy being outdoors and involved with the life of our busy centre here at Martin Mere?
We are looking for enthusiastic people for week-end duties to help with our visitor activities. This will be a combination of outdoor pond dipping/bug hunts etc with meeting and greeting of our visitors so if you enjoy chatting with people this is a perfect opportunity for you.
Calling all students
Are you going to be home for the holidays? Bored and looking for something fun to do that will still be useful as work experience?
We are looking for students who can work a couple of days a week either in education or on our canoe safari.
If you want to give it a try give me a ring or send me an email!
Meet a volunteer
Name:
Liz Hartley
Department:
Education, though I currently also spend one day a week as a Canoe volunteer, which is lots of fun!
Tell me a bit about yourself:
I’m just about to complete my MSc, but before going back to University, I was a teaching assistant, working with children in mainstream and special schools. I am a massive bibliophile; I also love learning languages, spending time with my dog, and doing various craft projects.
When did you join WWT?
I joined the team at Martin Mere in July last year.
Why did you want to become a volunteer?
After an extended period of illness, I needed to do something to help me get moving again – preferably somewhere I could spend time outdoors, enjoying nature. I remembered how much fun I had visiting Martin Mere as a child, and when I checked the website, I noticed there were vacancies in the education department. This seemed almost tailor-made for me, and once I started, I knew I was in the right place – I’m part of a team of supportive colleagues, doing brilliant work in a really special location.
What are your life’s ambitions?
I’d love to continue working in conservation, either directly on a population study or similar project, or through educating the public.
What three things would you take to a desert island?
My daft dog, Milo, an ebook reader full of all the books I haven’t got around to reading yet and a kayak so I can go off exploring. The first two aren’t wildly practical, I admit!
What is your ideal holiday?
I’d love to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, but failing that I’d be happy with a bit of sun and somewhere unspoilt to explore and watch wildlife.
Contact us
Please contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator, Jane Barker, on 01704 891224, or email jane.barker@wwt.org.uk
