Volunteers at The Devil's Spittleful by Wendy Carter
Volunteer for wildlife
Have fun, make friends, make a difference!
Join a network of 400 like-minded people helping to protect Worcestershire's wildlife and countryside.
Whether you can spare a few hours or a whole day, volunteering is a rewarding way to make a real difference for wildlife across Worcestershire. You'll meet new people and have fun as you learn new skills and expand your knowledge of wildlife.
Don't worry if you've got questions - just take a look at our FAQs below and if you don't see an answer, just get in touch and ask.
It's cheaper than the gym and the view's much better!Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
Got a question?
Why not take a look at our list of frequently asked questions below...you may just find the answer! If not, drop us a note via our volunteer enquiry form and we'll do our best to help.
Do I need to be a member to volunteer?
Absolutely not! Membership is vitally important to Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and many of our volunteers do choose to also support us financially as a member but there is no obligation to join. As a volunteer you will be donating your time to us and this is a hugely valuable resource. Without our hundreds of dedicated volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to carry out the amazing levels of conservation work we achieve each year. Our volunteers donate almost 27,000 hours a year to make Worcestershire a better place for wildlife. We are hugely grateful to all our supporters, whether they are volunteers, members, donors or support our work in other ways.
How much time do I have to give?
It’s up to you! From one or two sessions a year, to a day or more a week, there are lots of opportunities to get involved. How much time you donate is up to you.
Do I need to attend every session?
There is no obligation to turn up to every session but some roles may require a more regular commitment or signing up in advance to a set session, whilst others you can turn up and join in when it suits you. We can help you to find a role that suits your routine.
Do you provide transport for volunteers?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide transport for volunteers to get to our reserves, with the exception of our Roving Conservation Volunteers Group. This group meet at Lower Smite Farm and depart together from there by minibus to whichever nature reserve they are going to be working at that day. Some volunteers prefer to travel independently and meet the minibus at the reserve. You can find out more about public transport links to our sites on the individual reserve pages.
Do I need experience to volunteer?
As a rule, you don’t need any experience to become a volunteer, in fact, it’s a great way to learn new things and gain experience, meaning that volunteering is good for you and good for wildlife! We encourage people from all walks of life, with all manner of experiences to join in with our work. We will provide all the tools and training on how to use them. Your induction will be tailored to the volunteer role you choose so you will learn all you need to know during your volunteer sessions.
There are a few more specialist roles that may require some prior knowledge or experience but this will be made clear on the Volunteer Role Description. If you’re unsure, just get in touch and we will be happy to explain more and help you to explore your options.
Will I receive training?
Yes. Whatever volunteer role you choose, you will receive all the training you need to ensure that you have the skills to safely carry out the role. This varies from one role to the next but could include training in tool use, manual handling, ladder use, safeguarding, first aid, specific training in surveying and monitoring or specialist equipment such as brush cutters. If you are unsure about any of the tasks, we’d be happy to chat things through with you.
I don't know much about wildlife - can I still volunteer?
Yes, volunteering is a great way to learn more about our native wildlife and understand more about what we can do to help protect it. We aim to make sure that whatever role you choose, you will feel closer and more connected to our work across Worcestershire. If you join as a practical conservation volunteer, you will gain insights into how we manage different habitats to create the best outcome for wildlife and there’s a very good chance you’ll enjoy some splendid wildlife sightings whilst out on our reserves!
Do I need to be very fit to volunteer?
Not at all! Volunteering is great for both your physical and mental wellbeing. Whether you’re raring to go and looking for a wild work out or a bit unsteady and looking for some gentle exercise, there are tasks and terrains to suit all levels. With a variety of roles to choose from, we can help you to find something to suit you. If you have any concerns, we will be happy to discuss these with you. It’s also worth remembering that you can take things at your own pace and take breaks as often as you need them – it’s important to make time to enjoy the scenery after all!
What do I need to bring with me?
For practical conservation sessions, all you really need is weather-appropriate clothing (waterproofs…or a sun hat!) that you don’t mind getting dirty, sturdy footwear (wellies are recommended for some of our marsh / bog sites) and a packed lunch and drink. Gloves are handy if you have some but we have spares too. Oh – and just some enthusiasm to get stuck in! If a role requires anything more specific, we will make this clear. We will provide all the tools you need.
Are there toilets on the reserves we'll be working on?
With the exception of Lower Smite Farm and The Knapp and Papermill, there are no hand-washing or toilet facilities on any of our reserves. That means if the need arises, you’ll need to take a wander to a discrete area. You may wish to keep a small bottle of hand sanitiser in your bag.
I'm not sure where to start with volunteering - how do I decide?
We have a range of roles to suit different interests and time constraints so just get in touch and we’ll be happy to help you out. If you’re not sure whether you’d prefer practical conservation or something a bit different, then why not give them both a go and then decide? There’s nothing to stop you trying out a few roles to see which is the best fit for you. Some volunteers only work at one reserve, whilst others do several roles. You might decide to try something different further down the line, that’s fine too – just talk to us!
Are there any weekend or evening volunteer opportunities available?
Yes, we have volunteering opportunities on weekends as well as weekdays and even some evenings. Several of our practical conservation volunteer groups meet on Saturdays and Sundays – click on the 'calendar' button at the top of the page to find out which ones.
Our engagement team often have volunteers helping out with activities and events on weekends whilst our eight Local Supporter Groups meet in the evenings and much of the work done by their committee members such as compiling newsletters can be done flexibly.
If you can’t find a volunteer role to suit your routine, take a look at our 'support us' page for more ideas of how you can help.
Why do I need to fill in a Volunteer Registration Form and an Emergency Contact Card?
By filling in our Volunteer Registration Form you will be registered as a volunteer and therefore covered by our insurance. On starting, you will be given an ‘ICE: In Case of Emergency Card’ to complete – this ensures that in the event of an emergency we will have all the relevant information on hand to equip us to best deal with any medical situation that might arise.
In line with GDPR laws, any information you provide for us will be stored safely and only used for the purposes of your volunteering with us.
Are there opportunities for young people?
If you are under 18, it’s great to hear that you would like to get involved in our work. Our insurance covers us to work with volunteers aged 14 years and above but under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Not all of the tasks or work parties may be suitable for younger volunteers so please get in touch to discuss the best options based on individual circumstances and availability. Check out our Outdoor Origins group. Our two children’s Watch Clubs (Wyre Forest Watch and Club WoW) can also accept applications from young people aged 16 and above to join as Volunteer Helpers.
There are also ways you can help us from home! Why not Pledge a Patch for wildlife at home or school and help us to make Worcestershire a bit WILDER. Visit our Pledge a Patch page for lots of wildlife-friendly ideas or to register you patch. Don’t forget to share your pictures and stories with us through social media.
Can volunteering help me get a job in conservation?
Showing your commitment to conservation through volunteering can be an incredibly valuable addition to your CV. We've got a series of pages about careers in conservation to help you find out more.
Ok! I'm interested - how do I get started?
There are a few simple steps to get you started on your volunteering journey with us. You’ll be meeting new people, gaining new experiences and making Worcestershire a bit WILDER before you know it!
Got questions? Get in touch! Not got questions? Then let’s get started!
- Complete our volunteer enquiry form and return it to us at Lower Smite Farm
- Our volunteering team will contact you about your preferences and make sure we’ve found a role that’s right for you. If needed, we will gather any additional information required (there are a few roles that may require a DBS check, references or an informal interview)
- Our volunteer team will arrange a start date with you….and you’ll be ready to get stuck in!
Thanking our volunteers
We could not achieve everything that we do for wildlife if it weren't for our volunteers.
To recognise the contribution made by volunteers, we have an annual Wild Service Award for outstanding voluntary service to the Trust.
In order to further thank our volunteers, in 2023 we introduced a series of thank you certificates and badges for every five years of volunteering (if you are a current volunteer, we'd appreciate it if you could update us with your start year of volunteering so that we can ensure we have your correct details).
Thank you to all our volunteers.