Celebrating our volunteers

A huge thank you

We couldn't do all we do for nature without our volunteers. Last year, they gave an incredible 1,032,181 hours of their time to the RSPB – that's more than one million hours spent helping to make a positive difference to our environment.

Our volunteers help in lots of different ways: from monitoring little tern nests along our coast to opening children's eyes to the wonders of wildlife, the opportunities are as diverse as our volunteers themselves.

This Volunteers' Week we want to thank our volunteers for all they do and highlight some of their amazing work. Read on and be inspired!

Little terns - big future

Little terns are one of the UK's rarest seabirds, but their future is looking brighter thanks to the efforts of volunteers. Find out how Paul Davis, volunteer for RSPB Old Hall Marshes in Essex, has been helping little terns by making models of them.

n/a

Play video

Volunteers' Week, 1 to 7 June

Why not get involved with the RSPB as part of Volunteers' Week, the UK-wide celebration of volunteers led by NCVO. 

Volunteer with us

Inspiring the next generation

Since its launch, the RSPB and Aldi's Connecting Children with Nature partnership has seen more than 400 volunteers deliver free, 90-minute nature experience sessions to over 2,500 schools in 17 cities across England, Wales and Scotland. These sessions give pupils and their teachers the opportunity to swap the classroom for the great outdoors to see how they can help wildlife in their school grounds.

Find out more

Kickstarting a career in conservation

Tremaine Bilham took on a role as a volunteer science communicator after a postgraduate placement with RSPB Scotland got her hooked. Find out how this led to her gaining her dream job - and why she still volunteers.

Tremaine's story

More than a hobby

Tim Bishop is a volunteer at The Lodge in Sandy and relishes the opportunity to do something to help the wildlife he loves.

But it's not just wildlife that benefits from volunteering. Read on to find out how volunteering has influenced Tim's own health and wellbeing.

Meet Tim

Leading the way: the role of a trustee

A trustee may not be the first thing you think of when picturing a volunteer, but their role is vital to the running of the RSPB. Trustee Kerry ten Kate reveals why she got involved and her hopes for the future.

Kerry's vision

Try something new

522 Volunteering opportunities. Updated daily

Tuesday Work Party - Wolves Wood

Our winter work parties are vital to carry out habitat management tasks in this ancient woodland. Join our friendly team of Tuesday volunteers and see what a difference you can make for wildlife.

Ongoing
Wolves Wood Reserves
Tuesdays from September to March
Practical conservation

Wednesday Work Party Volunteer - Stour Estuary

Join our Wednesday work party to help us maintain our important habitats and to keep our reserve infrastructure in great condition.

Ongoing
Stour Estuary Reserve
Every Wednesday
Practical conservation

Residential Volunteer - Long term placement - West Sedgemoor

Immediate start from mid July 2019
West Sedgemoor
6 months
Practical conservation, Residential volunteering

Residential Volunteer - Long term placement - Burton Mere

Immediate start from August 2019
Dee Estuary, England
Minimum 8 weeks
Practical conservation, Residential volunteering

Administrator for Conservation Science

3 Months
UKHQ Conservation Science
4 hours per day, 2 to 3 days a week
Office and administration

Editorial Assistant Volunteer

A vital role has arisen to assist with communications and administration within the RSPB's award-winning publications team.

To start now and ongoing
UKHQ RSPB Headquarters
1-2 days a week
Office and administration
View all opportunities

Latest from the blog