Volunteering in your spare time is a fantastic way of getting hands on experience working in a rewarding role, that also helps you to gain transferable skills and to boost your CV.
There are many volunteering opportunities with us. We have locations in varied regions across the UK, including mountains and moorland, fenland and coastal areas. There are a wide range of volunteers who spend time with us: some are studying whilst ‘learning the ropes’ before starting work; others have retired and are giving back in an area they want to support; some are regular volunteers who come in and meet with others on a weekly or monthly basis; some pop in when they can; and some volunteer full time.
Volunteering is great for boosting your wellbeing and being outside has been proven to be good for both your mind and your body. It is a great way to connect with other likeminded people, and can benefit you in career advancement, but most importantly it is fun and fulfilling.
Examples of volunteer tasks include:
- Monitoring wildlife/biodiversity, e.g. moths and butterflies
- Leading guided walks
- Practical conservation
- Garden and grounds development
- Driving
- Visitor engagement e.g. assisting with events
Benefits to Volunteering:
- The opportunity to learn new skills and further develop existing ones
- Undertaking new experiences, meeting new people, and developing personal skills e.g. self-confidence, independence and communication
- Any training that is necessary for your role
- Induction and on-going support from a nominated ‘mentor’ whilst you remain a volunteer
- Gaining valuable work-based experience to include on your CV as well as a respected referee for future job applications
- A ‘certificate of recognition’ for your volunteering
- Reimbursement of any out of pocket expenses incurred whilst carrying out volunteering.
- Meals, whilst at the Learning Location and during the course of your volunteering duties only.
- Accommodation (if volunteering at a location that is not local to your home).
Current Volunteering Opportunities
| Role | Location | Hours required |
|---|---|---|
| Volunteer Gardeners | FSC Slapton Ley | Part time – one day per week |
| Volunteer Drivers | FSC Slapton Ley | Part time – ad hoc |
| Visitor Engagement Assistant | FSC Slapton Ley | Part time – one day per week in summer |
| Grounds and Gardens | FSC Rhyd-y-creuau | Part time – flexible one day per week |
| Outdoor Education Volunteer | FSC Rhyd-y-creuau | Full time residential – end March to end August |
| Education Support | FSC Epping Forest | 12 days per year |
| Grounds and Garden | FSC Epping Forest | Wednesday between 10 am and 4 pm |
| Grounds Volunteer | FSC Juniper Hall | Thursdays, 9:30 – 15:00 |
“In my four years as a volunteer for the Field Studies Council, I have been privileged to work in one of Devon’s most wonderful natural places, and enjoyed the many sights and sounds that nature provides and above all, to work with others who enjoy helping preserve and enhance the natural environment”
Conservation Volunteer
“I’ve been a volunteer for four years now and look after the gardens around the site. It’s great having responsibility for one aspect of the organisation while having the freedom to work when it suits me, with plenty of support and tools at my disposal – and there’s always a friendly face to share a coffee with”
Gardener
“We are extraordinarily lucky to have such a diverse and important natural environment on our doorstep. Slapton’s Celebrate Start Bay event is a great way to celebrate nature and engage people in how we can protect our environment in a fun and informative way”
Visitor Engagement Volunteer
“Volunteering for the Field Studies Council is a great way of meeting people visiting the Nature Reserve and the surrounding area. Sharing enthusiasm for this beautiful environment and it’s wildlife as well as discussing the work of the Field Studies Council is the best part of working here. We answer many and varied questions from what animals, birds or wild plants can be found locally to which bus to catch or where the nearest café is, so work is never dull and it keeps you on your toes”
Visitor Engagement Volunteer
“We enjoy doing butterfly surveys as it is fascinating to see the different species through the summer and it allows us to visit a beautiful part of the reserve not normally open to the public. Similarly completing the breeding bird survey lets us monitor common and rare species, mainly identifying them by their song, in the peace and quiet of the early morning.”
Wildlife Monitors