Volunteer roles for the Environment sector

We work with hundreds of adult volunteers every year at Skelton Grange Environment Centre, running practical and wellbeing based volunteering sessions and managing and improving our beautiful wildlife area in South East Leeds.

Volunteer Officers are a key part of our team, working both independently and with volunteer teams and the local community at Skelton Grange Environment Centre, helping to plan, prepare and run sessions. You will be trained and supported by experienced project staff and work as part of a team with paid staff, trainees and Volunteer Officers.

Typical activities for Volunteer Officers include:
- Leading or assisting groups of volunteers on practical conservation tasks, including preparing and organising activities, supporting and training volunteers (including some with additional support needs) looking after tools, refreshments and group welfare.
- Assisting with public events and related activities.
- Working to develop and maintain the wildlife area as an exciting and inspiring location for visitors to get a hands-on experience with nature. This will include both development work and routine maintenance.
- Keeping the activity days and resources up to date and developing new resources or materials as required.
- Helping with the general running of the centre and the project.

Benefits to you:
We will aim to train Volunteer Officers in:
- Leading a range of practical tasks and events with volunteers on the Skelton Grange Environment Centre site.
- Practical development and maintenance of the wildlife area at Skelton Grange - including habitat management, practical conservation and surveying skills.

The Volunteer role will give you real responsibility in a supportive environment, and aims to support you into being able to run activities and lead groups independently.
As well as valuable practical experience with an organisation recognised for its quality by employers in the environmental field, we will provide you with a range of useful training courses, job opportunity information, interview guidance and references.

It's also a chance to do something very satisfying and worthwhile, and have lots of fun with some great people!

We will provide expenses to cover volunteer travel costs.

What you need:
We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are keen to work with other people and to connect people with green spaces.
People volunteer with us for all sorts of reasons: you might be wanting to launch a career in the environment sector, or you may have lots of skills that you are keen to share, or you might be looking for something worthwhile to do with your time.

How much time:
2-4 days per week.

To maximise your experience and make the most of your new skills, many people aim to complete 100 days of volunteering within 6 to 12 months.

What you will be doing
The opportunity will be volunteering with the Volunteering Officer and People & Culture Manager carrying out administrative tasks that include data input in to systems, issuing letters and documents, responding to email enquiries, photocopying/scanning, filing, using Microsoft Office, Teams and SharePoint and the development of the volunteering programme at Suffolk Wildlife Trust including the recognition events and activities.

There are no set tasks or duties with the opportunity - you'll be getting involved with the day-to-day activities.

The skills you need
No experience is required other than able to use a computer and Microsoft Office.

What you'll get out of it
This opportunity may suit someone who is looking for a career in volunteering support or within HR, or someone with administrative experience looking to use their skills.

You can claim back out-of-pocket expenses.

The time you need to give
You can volunteer as much or as little as you wish. A regular volunteering day on a Tuesday would be ideal but we are open to different days and hours between Monday and Friday.

How to Apply
For more information about this opportunity and an informal discussion, please contact us.

The Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership is seeking a Steering Group Chair to provide leadership as it works to mobilise partners and communities to achieving a net zero and climate resilient Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire is one of the leading counties in the UK in setting ambitious climate change targets and delivery. This is an exciting opportunity to lead this partnership of its largest and most influential organisations. By joining the partnership, you will be part of a passionate group of individuals and organisations who are making a tangible difference in creating a greener, more sustainable future for Oxfordshire and beyond.

The Partnership includes representatives from business, academia, the voluntary and community sector, local authorities, and public services –including both universities, both hospital trusts, Oxfordshire’s District and County Councils, further education bodies and large businesses such as BMW Mini, Lucy Group, LandSec, SSEN and Unipart, as well as OxLEP and the Low Carbon Hub.

We are now looking for a new Chair to take forward the work of the Partnership at this critical moment for Oxfordshire’s climate action. Working closely with ZCOP members, the Secretariat, and key partners across the county, the Chair will play a key role in shaping and championing the next phase of delivery, governance, and collaboration. As we:

•Build a county-wide Partnership: attracting more public, private & third sector organisations to join us in driving positive collaboration.

•Accelerate action: to tackle new and complex issues by convening expert stakeholders around specific challenges.

•Inspire and engage: to showcase more of the positive actions being delivered to help build a movement that everyone who lives, works, or studies can feel part of, while continuing to learn from best practice in other UK and international areas. Further enable our partners to accelerate their emissions reductions by sharing practical experience and insights with each other.

•Shape our work plan: to ensure the next 5-year plan is inclusive, ambitious and practical, setting a clear path for both the partnership.

The Chair appointment is part of a wider update of ZCOP’s governance and delivery structures, which also includes the appointment of Working Group Champions and an expanded membership of the Steering Group, following the expansion from a city to county-wide partnership.

ZCOP’s work is guided by the Pathways to Zero Carbon Oxfordshire (PAZCO) report, with partners working together to translate strategic goals into deliverable actions. This work is supported by sector-based Working groups and driven by the Steering Group who coordinate and champions progress. The ZCOP Secretariat is hosted by Oxford City Council.

More information on the Partnerships can be found in our annual report on our website. 

Role duration: 3 years, starting in Q3 2025

Remuneration: The role of Partnership Chair is not accompanied by any financial remuneration. Costs incurred as part of the role (e.g. travel and subsistence) may be claimed.

To apply: Submit your CV (2-page max.) and a cover letter (1-page max.) detailing your suitability and ambitions for the role. Applications are to be received at the below email by 12am on 30th April 2025.

About Bank.Green

Since the Paris Agreement, global banks have poured a staggering $6.9t into the fossil fuel industry. At Bank.Green, our mission is to lower this vast carbon footprint via technology and consumer action. We empower bank customers with the tools and insights they need to influence their banks towards sustainable lending, or switch to greener alternatives. To date, our bank-checking tool has been used over 500,000 times by bank customers worldwide, while we have shifted at least £40m towards banks who are financing a greener future. Through transparency, engagement, and innovation, we aim to redefine the role of banks in the fight against climate change.

Role Overview

As our Major Gifts Fundraiser, you will play a leading role in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding high-value donors to power our mission. You’ll also help shape a supporter journey that includes appropriate engagement opportunities for a wider range of donors—such as legacy givers, mid-level donors, and monthly supporters—ensuring our broader communications create pathways for meaningful connection and support.

This is a unique opportunity to develop your skills in major donor fundraising while also helping shape the donor engagement strategy of a fast-moving nonprofit focused on systemic change in the financial sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively research and identify new major donor prospects, particularly individuals with an interest in climate, finance, or systems change.
• Reach out to and cultivate relationships with potential major donors, coordinating communications and developing tailored engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director on donor meetings, proposals, and stewardship plans.
• Lead on integrating major donor and legacy messaging into our wider communications, ensuring our email and social channels create clear on-ramps for support across all levels.
• Support the development of donor materials, including impact updates, campaign briefings, and stewardship reports.

Desired Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, especially for high-value audiences.
• Confidence in reaching out to new contacts and representing the organisation’s mission.
• Strategic thinking and creativity in identifying and cultivating funding opportunities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Passion for environmental issues and climate justice.
• Experience or willingness to learn about major gift fundraising, legacy giving, and donor engagement strategy.

Commitment

• This role is an unpaid volunteer opportunity
• We are seeking a commitment of 5–10 hours per week.
• We are looking for someone to come on long-term, but are open to shorter-term applicants.

We have a bold mission: to restore beavers to regenerate our landscapes. We need beavers back urgently; they play a supersized role in helping build climate-resilient landscapes and restoring freshwater habitats. 

What will you be doing?

In order to ensure geographic diversity in our trustee board our priority is to recruit trustees based in Scotland in this recruitment round. We are particularly interested in finding new trustees with a background in scientific research, ecology, zoology or animal welfare / management. We’re also keen to hear from candidates who feel they can add value to our fundraising efforts. 

We are truly committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and board, and we welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, as well as from young people over 18yrs. 

What are we looking for?

A background in scientific research, or ecology, zoology, animal welfare and management or fundraising.

What difference will you make?

As part of our board, you will support Beaver Trust to achieve its goals and ambitions.

Before you apply

Please provide an one-page A4 cover letter, briefly telling us why you are interested in applying to be a trustee at Beaver Trust, and how you match one or more of the attributes that we are recruiting for.

Please also provide a CV of two sides of A4 maximum. Please include any voluntary or other relevant life experience that you would like to tell us about, as well as any paid work.

Calling All Wordsmiths – Volunteer as a Grant Writer for RideWise!

Do you have a knack for writing and a passion for making a difference? RideWise, a charity championing sustainable and accessible transport, is looking for volunteer grant writers to help secure vital funding for our projects. Our work helps connect our communities to the people and places that are important to them - and helps safeguard our environment.

Your skills could help us unlock new opportunities, support local communities, and drive real change. Whether you're experienced or just eager to learn, we’d love to have you on board.

Use your words to power our mission. Join RideWise as a volunteer grant writer today!

Board Chair for Enterprise Oxfordshire

Are you an experienced business leader either living or working in Oxfordshire with a passion for driving economic growth, innovation, skills and employability that will enhance the area and prosperity of your community? 
Enterprise Oxfordshire is seeking a persuasive and influential senior business leader to join their Board as Chair. This is a unique opportunity to build your network and play a pivotal role in the sustainable development of Oxfordshire through the implementation of their strategic economic plan.

About Enterprise Oxfordshire:

Enterprise Oxfordshire, formerly known as the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Ltd, is committed to advancing economic growth and innovation within Oxfordshire. With a history of successful initiatives such as the City Deal and the Local Growth Fund, they have contributed over £1 billion to the local economy and secured an additional £2.3 billion in investments from both public and private sectors. Building on its significant achievements as OxLEP, Enterprise Oxfordshire now oversees a comprehensive suite of business, skills, investment, and trade support services. They also support various strategies aimed at realising Oxfordshire’s economic potential in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

Role Overview:

As the Board Chair, you will bring energy and passion to their newly established Board, fostering positive relationships with key stakeholders and acting as a high-level advocate regionally, nationally, and internationally. You will lead the Board in delivering their original Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan priorities and driving prosperity through the Local Industrial Strategy and Economic Recovery Plan. 

The new Board is made up of 2 other members representing an elected member of Oxfordshire County Council and an Officer of County Council. The Board report into the Shareholder Committee who are made of elected members of the Oxfordshire’s County Council’s cabinet. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strong leadership to the Board
• Represent Enterprise Oxfordshire at external high-profile events and advocate for the interests of Oxfordshire's economy.
• Engage in high-level negotiations with key influencers in government, business, and community to drive a positive future for Oxfordshire.
   

Candidate Profile:

• The Board Chair must ideally live and work in Oxfordshire.
• Have significant and current experience of leading and SME and/or large business.
• Ideally be an influential and persuasive business leader with a high profile in Oxfordshire
• Ability to provide clear strategic vision, and a demonstratable understanding of the economic drivers and challenges facing Oxfordshire.
• Strong empathy and ability to work with and influence a wide range of stakeholders including business, local authorities, MPs, national government and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrable track record of engaging and supporting communities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; articulate and able to influence, broker, and build strong networks.
   

Commitment:

• Commitment 20-30 days per annum initially, including monthly Board meetings, external events, and committee engagements (once the board is established it’s expected to be more around 20 days).
• Serve for a minimum three-year term with an option to extend
• Unremunerated with reasonable expenses
   

Application Process
Please send an up to date CV. In the first instance you will be sent a link to a candidate pack microsite with further details on the opportunity and how to submit a formal application.

Application deadline is Tuesday 20th May at 5.00pm.

The team at TPP, Lisa, Sema and Matt are on hand to answer any questions.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

We are looking for a new Company Board Director to help guide Climate Emergency UK over the course of the next 2 years.

Climate Emergency UK is at a exciting time, since starting just over 5 years ago we have have successfully launched the first ever complete UK assessment of coucil climate action, with the Council Climate Action Scorecards, and are about to launch the second one in June 2025. We are halfway through delivering our first 3 year strategy, with focusses on how we can advocate at a national level for further and faster council climate action, sustain ourselves as an organisation and keep up our crucial local work with councils and residents via the Scorecards, training and other projects. 

We need support from our Board to further the sustainability of the organisation. 

We are particularly looking for Directors with either/or any of the following experience:

• Experience of local government, either as a councillor, officer or other

• Landing national media coverage for projects and campaigns and previous work with national and regional news outlets

• Experience of effective fundraising for small organisations

We particularly welcome applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates or other marginalised groups.

To apply, please send us your CV and an Expression of Interest Letter (no more than one side of A4) to our email (click on how to apply for our email address).

Applications close 18th May 2025.

As our current Chair of Trustees completes her 6 year tenure, we are looking to welcome a new chair to continue her stellar work in governance and strategy.

Walworth Garden is a charity dedicated to knowledge and nurture. Our aim is to improve lives by providing excellent learning and horticultural therapy through an award winning garden that’s open to all. Leading our board, the new Chair of Trustees will work to ensure our charitable aims are upheld and our ambitious strategic plan guides our activities. They will join us at an exciting point in our development as we prepare to begin works on the construction of an Environmental Learning Centre.

We particularly seek support from those living or working locally and who have trustee and/or professional charity leadership experience. You will need to be able to commit two hours for meetings every other month, from 7-9pm. Additional time will be needed to read the board papers which will be sent in advance, meet with the CEO, and occasional discussions outside of regular meetings. More information on these expectations can be found below.

Walworth Garden is committed to equality of opportunity, and values diversity. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic locals who have been historically excluded from the horticulture industries, as well as applications from LGBTQIA+ candidates.

Visitor Centre Helper at South Walney

Location: South Walney , Walney Island , Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA14 3YQ

Do you love wildlife? Do you enjoy chatting to people? Why not join our friendly team of volunteers meeting and greeting visitors to our beautiful South Walney Nature reserve?

Commitment: Any Day

Frequency:Weekly

Interested in volunteering for half or a full day, at one of Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s most beautiful nature reserves? With stunning views across Morecambe Bay, this shingle island reserve is a landscape of rolling sand dunes and wetlands, surrounded by the wild Irish Sea. 

Do you love wildlife? Over 250 bird species have been recorded here, throughout the year. The reserve is also home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria.

Are you a people person? Join a friendly team of volunteers at our visitor centre, meeting and greeting visitors to the reserve; providing information on the site’s wildlife; promoting the work of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust in general and South Walney nature reserve, in particular.

This is a unique opportunity to learn new skills through volunteering, working on South Walney nature reserve and learning how the reserve is managed. You don’t need to be a wading bird or grey seal expert, just have a natural enthusiasm for the all the wildlife that you and the visitors will see there.

Training, hot brews and, due to the reserve’s remote location, travel expenses, will all be provided.

We are looking for volunteer helpers who’d be able to come down once a week for a half or full day.

Our visitor centre is accessible for wheelchair users. Suitable for over 16s. 

As a Volunteer Helper, your role will include:

Greeting visitors on arrival in the visitor centre and assisting in the car park

Providing leaflets to visitors and advice to ensure they enjoy their visit

Spending time out and about on site, engaging with all our visitors and ensuring visitors are keeping to footpaths

Providing assistance and encouragement to visitors less experienced in bird and wildlife watching to discuss their sightings and share information

Where appropriate and safe, to deal with any misuse of the site by providing guidance to visitors

Assisting the tidying, and opening up/closing of the visitor centre.

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

We’re WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife. We’re on a mission to restore wetlands because they are a wondrous solution to our world's problems. Together we will unlock their power – and help nature burst back to life. Because when wetlands flourish, all life will flourish. We lead the way, bring life and inspire connection. 

Volunteers are integral to the running of our Welney centre and without their help we wouldn’t be able to welcome our visitors to this amazing wetland. Your role will be helping to bring people of all ages and backgrounds closer to wetland wildlife, by providing assistance to visitors and encouraging them to explore the site and learn about WWT’s pioneering wetland conservation work, to save wetlands for wildlife and people. You’ll support the delivery of excellent customer service for the retail and membership team, inspiring people to support us as members of the WWT, and be a warm and welcoming face for our cause.

We are looking for volunteers who can ideally give one day a week, exact hours to be agreed. 

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

Volunteers are integral to the running of our Welney reserve and visitor centre and without their help we wouldn’t be able to welcome our visitors to this amazing 1300 acre wetland of international importance. Our volunteer team are friendly and committed, and say they benefit by gaining new experiences, meeting new people and sharing the story of our work.

At WWT Welney Wetland Centre we want to ensure that our visitors receive a warm, friendly welcome to ensure they have a memorable visit to our Visitor Centre and Reserve. In this role, you will be helping to bring people of all ages and backgrounds closer to wetland wildlife, by providing assistance for visitors to explore the reserve and learn about WWT’s pioneering wetland conservation work, to save wetlands for wildlife and people. In this role you will support the delivery of a range of interactive visitor engagement activities, including guided walks, and other seasonal activities, drawing people in by telling engaging stories about our work and inspiring people to support us as members of the WWT.

On a day-to-day basis, you’ll be answering visitor questions, helping them to navigate the reserve, and identifying basic wildlife. You'll get regular briefings to keep you up to date with what's going on at the centre, and we can offer coaching to help you feel more confident talking to our visitors and leading guided activities.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

Ecoswap

Ecoswap is a platform for sustainable gifting, offering eco-friendly gift cards that help individuals and businesses reduce waste and align with their environmental values.

At Ecoswap, we address the environmental challenges posed by traditional gifting practices, which often lead to waste, overconsumption, and reliance on unsustainable products. Globally, the gifting industry contributes significantly to pollution, resource depletion, and carbon emissions, exacerbating the climate crisis.

Key Social/Environmental Challenges: -Resource Waste: Single-use wrapping materials and unsustainable products generate excessive waste, much of which ends up in landfills or oceans. -Consumer Confusion: Many consumers want to make sustainable choices but struggle to find eco-friendly alternatives. -Corporate Misalignment: Businesses aiming to meet their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals face limited options for sustainable gifting that align with their values. -Overconsumption: Traditional gifting promotes a culture of excess, neglecting the environmental impact of mass-produced, non-recyclable goods.

By providing sustainable and meaningful gifting solutions, Ecoswap empowers individuals and organisations to reduce their environmental footprint, foster conscious consumption, and align with a greener future. Together, we’re transforming gifting into a force for good.

EcoSwap provides an innovative platform for sustainable gifting that aligns with environmental values and promotes conscious consumption. This is done via a multi-choice gift card which enables recipients to trade their ecoswap funds for gift cards from sustainable and ethical brands or donate it towards charities and impactful causes.

Key Features of Our Solution: Eco-Friendly Product Marketplace We curate a range of high-quality, sustainable gifts made by environmentally responsible businesses. These include plastic-free, upcycled, and locally sourced options that prioritise the planet.

Digital Gifting Experience Our platform eliminates wasteful packaging by digitizing the gifting process, offering virtual gift cards and personalised experiences, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

Corporate Solutions for ESG Goals We help businesses integrate sustainability into their gifting strategies, supporting employee and client engagement programs while meeting ESG objectives.

Guided Choices for Consumers EcoSwap simplifies sustainable gifting by guiding users toward thoughtful, low-impact options, addressing consumer confusion and driving eco-conscious decisions. Impact Tracking

By redefining the gifting experience, Ecoswap empowers individuals and organisations to celebrate moments that matter while protecting the planet for future generations.

Marketing Specialist

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Are you passionate about sustainability and skilled in organic marketing? We're looking for a volunteer marketer to help us spread the word about Ecoswap and drive engagement across our channels!

✨ What You'll Do: ✅ Plan and execute email marketing campaigns to engage our community ✅ Grow our presence on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok & more) ✅ Create compelling content that promotes sustainable gifting ✅ Support SEO-driven content and organic traffic growth ✅ Experiment with new ways to boost engagement & conversions

�� Who You Are: ✔️ Hands-on, creative, and excited about sustainable living ✔️ Experience in email marketing, social media, or content marketing ✔️ Comfortable working independently in a fast-moving startup environment ✔️ Available 2-3 hours per week to make an impact

This is a great opportunity to gain experience in sustainability marketing while contributing to a purpose-driven company. If you're interested please drop us a message :)

Weekly Time Commitment

2-3 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

3-5 months

About The Role

At WWT, we are aiming to inspire the next generation of nature-lovers. We believe the best way of doing this is to foster emotional connections to nature at our sites and where people live.

One of the ways we do this is through our learning programme and in particular Generation Wild, our flagship nature connection project for children and families from disadvantaged communities. In this role, you will be engaging our younger visitors by bringing the life-sized puppet  'Ava' to life,  as part of this project. As a puppeteer, you are key to making the experience a truly magical one for the children. 

We are currently looking for volunteers who are available to help out on weekdays.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

About You

This role will suit you if:

• You are passionate about inspiring children to develop an emotional connection with nature.
• You enjoy performing and being in-character in front of visitors and enjoy working with a range of ages.
• You are reasonably extrovert and have good stamina! The puppet is quite heavy to operate. Previous puppetry / theatre experience would be beneficial but is in no way essential.
• You have experience either in an educational setting or in an environment involving children. This would be useful, but not essential.

Please note that this role is only suitable for over 18's

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you'll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life