Volunteer

We thrive through generous volunteers donating their time and talents. Our volunteers and work placement students assist with many varied activities across the site. By joining us you can become part of the team, learn new skills, meet new people and support us in protecting, conserving and rewilding British wildlife.

What we are looking for

Enthusiastic and friendly people
Happy to be outside in all weather conditions
Reliable with regular attendance
Good level of physical fitness – you will be on your feet the majority of the day and some tasks will require stamina
We’re not looking for experts, just a passion for wildlife and conservation
Over 18 years of age

What you need to know before applying

All applicants for volunteering or work experience placements must be over 18 years of age. These opportunities receive a high volume of interest and as a result, places are extremely limited. During busy periods we will only be contacting candidates for departments that require an extra pair of hands. If you do not hear from us within two weeks, please feel free to reapply in a few months' time.

What is included

All day park admission
Free teas/coffees from our café throughout the day
Morning and/or afternoon volunteering tasks to complete around the park
All equipment needed to complete tasks on the day

How to register

To register your interest, please complete the online VOLUNTEERING AND WORK PLACEMENT INTEREST FORM and click submit when done.

Alternatively, you can download a PRINTABLE VERSION and once completed, please email to volunteer@wildwoodtrust.org or post to:

Wildwood Trust
Herne Common
Herne Bay
Kent
CT6 7LQ

Contact number 01227 712111

Volunteers can help out in the following areas

CONSERVATION

Our conservation team needs assistance in looking after our water vole captive breeding programme, as well as helping out with the care of other small mammals. We ensure the responsibility of training and supporting volunteers and work placements in all aspects of animal husbandry. Please note, we receive a high volume of applications and as a result places are extremely limited.

Example tasks

Assist with the care of our water vole captive breeding programme
Help with the husbandry of other small mammals (mice, bats, shrews)
General housekeeping and enclosure maintenance
Supporting the conservation team

EDUCATION

We are looking for friendly, confident and enthusiastic people with good communication skills, as our volunteers and work experience students need to be able to engage and inspire a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and of all ages. Education volunteers and work experience placements assist our education team to give our visitors the chance to discover and learn about our wonderful British wildlife. Please note, we receive a high volume of applications and as a result places are extremely limited.

Example tasks

Assist with workshops, tours and animal talks
Prepare educational resources
Rove in the park with artefacts
Assist visitors at enclosures to spot animals and answer questions

ANIMAL KEEPER

Our keeper team welcomes volunteers and work experience placements throughout the year to help look after our animals across the park. We ensure the responsibility of training and supporting volunteers and work placements in all aspects of animal husbandry. Please note, we receive a high volume of applications and as a result places are extremely limited.

Example tasks

Prepare & deliver animal feeds (including raw meat)
Clear out animal waste
Maintain enclosures
Prepare & deliver animal enrichment
General maintenance of the park and keepers' yard

MAINTENANCE

Wildwood is set in 40 acres of woodland, we need volunteers and work experience placements to help keep the park in top condition. Volunteers help us to maintain the woodland, our animal enclosures and keep our facilities in good working order.

Example tasks

Aid in maintenance of park facilities
Help keep the park clean and tidy
Painting and weeding across the woodland
Assistance in animal enclosure construction and maintenance
Work as part of the team to provide support where needed

RETAIL AND PARK ASSISTANTS

Our shop team are looking for enthusiastic and outgoing volunteers to help us during our busy holidays and weekends. Our park assistant volunteers help with visitor engagement and keeping our facilities in tip top shape. Volunteers need to be confident to talk to visitors from all different ages and backgrounds in a kind and professional manner.

Example tasks

Help in the car park
Help keep the park clean and tidy
Direct visitors once inside the park
Engage and interact with visitors throughout the day
Inspire our visitors about British wildlife and our conservation efforts
Assist visitors at enclosures to spot animals and answer questions
Assist with drop-in events like craft sessions, touch tables, and zoo enrichment
Assistant the cleaners in the bathrooms
Work as part of the shop team to provide support where needed

BEEKEEPING

We are actively working to promote public awareness of the plight of our bees and to inspire people to help them thrive. We are looking to recruit enthusiastic individuals with experience or keen interest in beekeeping to volunteer during the busy bee season April–August. Please note the role is weather permitting.

Example tasks

Assist with bee husbandry
Help ensure pollination and honey product prospects are maximised
Collect and process honey
Carry out the seasonal maintenance and construction of hives
Work as part of the team and provide supervision and support Head Beekeeper
Assist in minimising insect pests and diseases

WORK PARTY VOLUNTEER DAYS

We offer a volunteering day with an emphasis on team work as well as an amazing wildlife adventure. You will be able to see the benefits that your team work has made around the park and spend time with your group in a beautiful woodland setting. Group numbers can be up to a max of 10 people and are open to all levels of fitness and strengths. All applicants must be over 18 years of age. Please be aware that these days are limited and we may not be able to guarantee the type of tasks as they depend on the seasonal needs, size of group, staff availability and work priorities at the time.

Example tasks