Animal Volunteer Roles

Purpose of your role: To assist with habitat and species surveying and monitoring on Warwickshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves.

Surveys you will be involved with:

• Botany (national vegetation classification and habitat condition)
• Pond /amphibian
• Invertebrates (butterflies, dragonflies and moths)
• Birds and breeding bird populations
• Small mammals
• Fungi

Bioblitz Survey Force is our volunteer group who carry out surveys on Warwickshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves. As a Survey Force volunteer, you have the option to join our regular larger group sessions which take place on alternate Mondays* during the survey season (April–September) or if you would prefer and opportunities are available, you may survey by yourself or in smaller groups at a Warwickshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve of your choice at a time more suited to you (please note that the exception to this is that some surveys are required to be done at certain times of the day and year).

Alternatively; you may choose to do a mixture of both the larger group and individual surveying. For more information, please get in contact and we will be happy to discuss the various options with you.

*For volunteers wanting to join our Monday sessions, we either leave Brandon Marsh Nature Centre in the minibus at 10:00 am and head to a reserve to carry out the survey or arrange to meet at the site to be surveyed (in which case details of meet times and locations will be provided separately). Please note this is an approximate guide and survey sessions may be arranged on different days and times as required.

We also run various workshops to train people in identification skills and how to carry out surveys. The workshops are usually free to attend on the condition that attendees use their new skills to survey a reserve in their own time. If we are unable to provide appropriate surveying opportunities, we may be able to direct you to other organisations who can assist.

Purpose of your role:
As a Learn and Discover Volunteer, you will help to deliver environmental education and play activities in the Warwickshire, Coventry, and Solihull areas. We provide on-site activities with the Education team at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve in Coventry and the Parkridge Centre in Solihull.

Tasks you will be involved with:
The Learn and Discover team require volunteers to help support and deliver fun and exciting environmental activities including assisting with school visits and holiday workshops where typical activities range from pond dipping, mini-beast hunting and bird watching to creating models and masks out of natural materials.

Purpose of your role: 
To act as the “eyes and ears” of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust on the ground by visiting your nature reserve on a regular basis and reporting back any interesting sightings, vandalism, fly tipping, site safety issues or any other significant behaviour. 

Tasks you will be involved with: 
Visiting your designated reserve on a regular basis
Reporting any issues to the relevant Reserves Officer
Litter picking
Snipping back any overgrown scrub
Promoting the Trust and the work it does to visitors to the reserve

Purpose of your role: 
The Sherbourne Valley Project is run by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, with the aims of reconnecting the people of Coventry with the city’s river whilst helping to restore the river for wildlife. As a Practical Conservation Volunteer, you will assist the Sherbourne Valley Project team with a variety of practical tasks that will enhance the wildlife habitats along the Sherbourne Valley area.

Tasks you will be involved with: 
Tasks will vary throughout the year and range from tree felling and coppicing to scrub clearance in the winter, with the removal of invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam in the spring and summer. Some of the work will involve improving the quality of habitat in the river channel, all tasks will involve the use of a variety of hand tools.

Brooke is an international animal welfare organisation dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules and the communities that de­pend on them.

Working across South Asia, Africa and Central America we reach over 1.4 million animals and 1.1million owners annually, with millions more benefiting as our work ripples through whole communities and countries. Our global strategy is built on the three pillars of transforming equid welfare in communities, building sustainable animal health systems, and advocating for lasting change. We have more than 600 staff members across the globe, including vets, animal welfare experts, human behaviour change practitioners and development specialists.

The Brooke UK

Global Trustee

One of our countries of operation, including South Asia, Africa and Central America

Most board meetings are virtual

Unremunerated, with reasonable expenses paid, including travel in order to support attendance at board meetings or visiting our work.

This is an exciting opportunity and time to join the high-performing and dynamic UK board, bringing expertise from one of our countries of operation and adding to the excellent diversity of views already present.

We are looking to appoint a Global Trustee who has a solid understanding of good governance practices, a willingness and ability to provide constructive challenge, a track record of successful organisational and strategic leadership and has expertise in specialisms such as:

· Human development

· Charity law

· Finance

· Fundraising and diversifying income streams

We are also keen to hear from candidates who are passionate champions for inclusivity and experience of working in an International NGO would be advantageous.

For further information and to access the appointment brief, please click 'apply' to be redirected to the Prospectus website.

Recruitment Timetable
Deadline for applications:  Midnight, Sunday 1st September 2024
Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 16th September 2024
Interviews with The Brooke UK: w/c 30th September 2024

Your purpose will be to take a group of around 30 children/school children and their teaching staff, leading them through 4 activities in a day visit to, either Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Coventry and The Parkridge Centre, Solihull. Sessions may include, Art in the Wild, Pond-Dipping, Teddy Bear Adventure, Den-Building, Mini-beast Hunting, Mammal Discovery and many more. Most Schools that visit us are KS1/Lower KS2 (Age 5- 8) although we do also cater for children and young people aged 3-18. Visiting schools choose their activities from a choice of pre-planned sessions.

As a Branch Secretary, you would be in an essential volunteer role as the principal communications trustee managing and maintaining the administrative affairs of our branch. Using your expertise and skills, you will be able to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. We rescue and rehome around 200 animals each year and provide community help and support with animal welfare in all DA postcodes plus BR8 postcodes.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Secretary:

• To act as the primary contact point for all branch communications with the national Society, the branch committee and the branch membership.
• Arrange branch meetings, ensure accurate minutes are taken and distributed in accordance with branch rules.
• Ensure all branch committee decisions are implemented and actions completed.
• Arrange the branch AGM including the compilation and distribution of the annual report, nominations and agenda in line with the strict timetable laid down in the branch rules.
• Arrange the timely dissemination of the contents of all correspondence and literature received by the branch, ensuring availability to all committee members, and reply to all branch correspondence where necessary.
• Order and distribute RSPCA stationery, leaflets, posters and other fundraising and promotional material.
• Liaise with the Branch support specialist (BSS) and group chief inspector and notify them of all branch meetings.
• Advise the BSS of all changes to branch facilities, services and contact details.
• In the absence of the membership secretary, assume responsibility for the maintenance of the branch membership list.
• Submit recommendations for national Society awards to the BSS, in accordance with the wishes of the committee.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

• Above all, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare.
• Specific skills such as finance, fundraising, project management, business experience, awareness of employment and/or charity legislation can be useful, but not essential.
• You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert, although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.
• Be able to commit to 4 hours weekly.

Applications are particularly invited from people residing in DA postcodes or BR8 postcodes.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Secretary:

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you with everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.
• Be a part of a small but friendly team of staff and volunteers.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for our branch!

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Purpose of your role:

As a reception volunteer, you will provide a warm welcome to visitors to the Centre. If you have a particular passion for birds, butterflies, fungi or wildflowers then this is an opportunity to share your passion with others. You will be the friendly face representing the Trust, helping visitors to make the most of their visit, and interpreting information about the reserve and its wildlife. You will be assist the Centre team in maintaining a clean and well-presented Visitor Centre which is profitable and efficient. You will be helping to support the delivery of the Trust's strategic plan and support the Centre team in striving towards its goals.

Tasks you will be involved with:

Assisting with maintaining standards of housekeeping
- Keeping the Centre clean and well presented.
- Ensuring that the Trust facilities are ready to receive visitors each day.
- Ensure that leaflets and posters are up to date and well presented.

Meeting and greeting visitors to the reserve
- Bringing the nature reserve to life for our visitors and answering their questions.
- Helping visitors discover more about the reserve and the species present.
- Engaging with visitors, and chatting about the benefits of supporting the Wildlife Trusts.
- Having up to date information to hand regarding events bookings, membership offers and latest wildlife sightings.
- Promoting and recruiting members to Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
- Promoting volunteer opportunities.

Supporting the retail officer at the Centre
- Keep up to date with knowledge on the products being sold.
- Keep the shop well stocked and merchandised.
- Assisting with deliveries and stock input on till system.
- Serving and assisting customers
- Assisting with cash handling and cashing up procedures where appropriate.

Fundraising
- Encourage visitor donations.
- Promote and fundraising initiatives taking place at the Centre.

Events
 - Assisting with setting up and clearing away after events.
 - Helping with any tasks that need doing during an event.

Purpose of your role:

If you love being active outdoors and enjoy practical tasks, then we would love to hear from you. As a Grounds Maintenance Volunteer, you will work alongside the Maintenance Manager to look after the Visitor Centre grounds, gardens and pathways. You will be the friendly face representing the Trust, both in our Visitor Centre and out and about on the Brandon Marsh reserve. You will work with the team to create enjoyable and memorable experiences by helping to maintain a clean, safe and well-presented Visitor Centre. Your efforts will contribute towards the delivery of the Trust's strategic plan and support the Centre team in striving towards its goals.

Tasks you will be involved with:

Tasks will vary throughout the year and will often involve the use of hand and power tools. The majority of the tasks can be summarised as:

. Trimming bushes, hedges and grassy areas.
. Weeding flowerbeds.
. Planting flowerbeds.
. General maintenance of buildings, gates, fences, signage and pathways.
. Litter picking

A bit about this role

Unfortunately thousands of cats each year are abandoned or have strayed and rely on charities like Cats Protection for help. Becoming a TNR volunteer is one way you can make a real difference to cats in your local area. Our TNR volunteers help reduce the number of feral cats by raising awareness of our TNR programmes, setting humane traps to safely capture cats, taking them to local vets to be neutered, and hopefully returning them back to their territory. Local TNR programmes are crucial, as feral and abandoned cats present a huge challenge for communities across the UK.

What can you expect to be doing? 

• Trapping cats using humane methods
• Taking cats to local vets to be neutered 
• Returning cats to their territory or finding a suitable alternative

The role might also include:

• Regular feeding of feral colonies
• Promoting neutering by building relationships with farmers, land owners and local businesses
• Liaising with vets to promote and arrange neutering 

A bit more information about this role and the team

The role will be based in the Deeside area but also in the Kincardine area. 

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will develop new skills, expand your knowledge and make a significant contribution to improving the lives of cats and kittens by helping reduce the number of unwanted cats and improving the lives of cats in your local area. You will also meet new people, make new friends and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

We’re looking for someone with

• Basic knowledge of cats and cat care
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• A well organised and practical approach
• Patience and perseverance
• The ability to deal with sensitive situations
• Good communication skills
• A full, clean driving licence and access to a vehicle  

Time expectation 

This is a flexible role and the hours will vary depending on the number of cats identified for specific TNR campaigns. Our current TNR volunteers spend about 2 to 3 hours per week in this role which can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. 

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we come into contact with as part of our activities.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person, with a legal background, who could devote their time to volunteer as a trustee at our Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone Branch and support us with GDPR compliance. 

Alongside passing on your expertise, this opportunity will give you the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental, alongside fellow trustees, in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a  committee meeting every other month lasting 2 hours either in person or virtually (can alternate). However, the commitment may vary depending on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Legal and GDPR

•  Assist the Branch in ensuring that activities are GDPR compliant and reviewing and updating the Branch processing activities register.
• Support the Branch in developing and updating Branch policies, particularly the Branch privacy notice and internal data protection policy, to make sure they are compliant.   
• Support the Branch when liaising with external specialist providers such as HR and health and safety specialists.
• The Branch may occasionally enter into new leases with regards to its charity shops; so liaising with external specialists for advice if it does not fall under your area of expertise.
• To assist the Branch when developing new schemes, such as providing welfare assistance to those  low incomes, to ensure any new schemes are GDPR compliant.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Alongside legal and GDPR compliance experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and have the ability to put ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee – Legal and GDPR

•  We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
•  The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
•  A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Are you passionate about animal welfare? We are looking for an enthusiastic person who understands charity finance to support us in our mission to prevent cruelty, promote kindness and alleviate the suffering of animals.

We are looking for someone to volunteer as a Branch Treasurer for our Tunbridge Wells & Maidstone Branch. This role would play a vital role in supporting the Branches affairs so that it is governed and managed effectively, whilst continually having animal welfare at the forefront of their mind.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a  committee meeting every other month lasting 2 hours either in person or virtually (can alternate). However, the commitment may vary depending on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Treasurer

aintain sound financial systems.

• Take a lead role in ensuring the committee set annual financial budgets and plan the branch income and expenditure.
• Provide a written financial report for every branch meeting.
• Liaise with auditors/independent examiners regarding the production of the annual branch accounts and the treasurer’s report.
• Maintain control of all bank accounts as authorised by the committee.
• Execute and operate branch committee financial decisions and act as branch co-signatory.
• Maintain control over all branch paying-in books and receipt books and to ensure their correct use.
• In the absence of a branch box secretary, to assume responsibility for the branch network of collection boxes.
• Arrange payment of the annual branch contribution to the appropriate RSPCA fund.
• Coordinate financial control of all branch fundraising activities.
• Make quarterly VAT returns to headquarters promptly.
• Ensure the production, monitoring and annual review of the branch’s financial risk management strategy in accordance with the charity commission’s requirements.
• Liaise with branch officers, branch support specialist and Branch finance co-ordinator on Financial affairs as necessary and alert them immediately to any possible difficulties or irregularities.
• Ensure the retention and safekeeping of all branch financial documentation for the appropriate time as set by the charity commission.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

• We are particularly looking for someone who has knowledge and experience in finance, who may already understand charity finance.
• As a trustee, you would be able to dedicate the time to attend monthly committee meetings, which  last approximately 3 hours.
• In between meetings, there will be additional volunteer duties such as; providing financial reports at  committee meetings, monitoring the budget which has been set by the trustees for the year,  processing payments, querying invoices, doing VAT returns, and processing Gift Aid claims.

Our trustee roles are subject to an informal interview and introduction period when you will have the opportunity to meet your fellow committee members and attend committee meetings as an observer . We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and will be subject to independent eligibility checks. As a membership organisation, branch membership is required to stand for election at the AGM. Full training and induction support provided

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Treasurer

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
•  A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-  minded people.

From beginners, to birdwatchers, families to photographers, as a Guide in a Hide, you will give a warm welcome to all our visitors and encourage them to make the most of their visit to ours hides.
You will help them to identify wildlife they see and understand how supporting our work helps protect these wonderful habitats for wildlife and for people to enjoy.
You will also update the sightings board and inform the Visitor Experience Team of any exciting sightings.

Tasks you will be involved with:
Being welcoming in the Wright Hide, helping point out to the visitors what wildlife they can see.
Walking around the other hides talking to visitors and birdwatching.
Updating the sightings board and informing the Visitor Experience Team of any exciting sightings.
Keeping hides clean and tidy by litter picking and sweeping.

Purpose of your role:

As a Project Volunteer, you will assist our Project / Reserves Officer to maintain and enhance your local green spaces  / Warwickshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves. 

Tasks you will be involved with: 
Tasks will vary throughout the year, ranging from meadow and ride cutting in the summer to coppicing, tree felling and scrub clearance in the winter along with various other construction projects, fencing, pond work, litter picking. Often the work will involve the use of hand tools, mechanical and powered equipment such as brush-cutters, chainsaws, mowers and tractors on site.