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.

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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

500 Volunteering opportunities. Updated daily

Residential Volunteer Intern - Long Term Placement - Education, Families and Youth - Minsmere

March -September 2020
Minsmere Nature Reserve
26 weeks
Residential volunteering

General Maintenance Volunteer - RSPB Surrey Reserves

Ongoing
Farnham Heath & Hazeley Heath Nature Reserves
1 or 2 days a month
Practical conservation

Residential Volunteer - Long term placement - Visitor Experience - Minsmere.

April to September 2020
Minsmere Nature Reserve
6 months
Residential volunteering, Publicity and promotional, Showing people wildlife, Inspiring young people, Helping visitors at our reserves, Retail and marketing

Volunteer Fundraiser (Pin Badge Scheme)

The variety of species and habitats in South West England is outstanding, but they are disappearing. 10% of all UK species are now under threat. We're determined to stop this, but we need your help!

Ongoing
Various locations
Visiting an outlet once every 4-6 weeks
Raise money to save nature, Volunteering at home

Fundraising Administrator

Community fundraising volunteers are the local face of the RSPB, placing our pin badge boxes across the South West and raising nearly £130k last year. With the scheme ever growing, we need your help!

Ongoing
South West England Regional Office
Half day/1 day a week
Office and administration, Raise money to save nature

Cafe/Catering Assistant - Newport Wetlands

Ongoing
Newport Wetlands Env'l Education & Visitor Centre
Half a day - 1 day per week
Helping visitors at our reserves
View all opportunities

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