Wildlife Guide

We have secured National Lottery Heritage funding for a programme of events, activities and site improvements to make RSPB Old Moor even better for our wildlife and visitors. A major aim of the project is to engage with more local people and capitalise on Old Moor's ability to introduce the general public to how amazing wildlife is. Could you help us to do this? We are looking for people: • to interpret the reserve to first-time visitors in particular or those new to nature and wildlife. • Who can share stories of the area's history, heritage, wildlife and habitat management to allow visitors to make the most of their visit and spark their interest and wish to discover more • To be cheerful and friendly • able to initiate conversation and chat to anyone • who are itching to share their enthusiasm for wildlife and show off their local reserve. Obviously Covid-19 is affecting the delivery of our National Lottery Heritage project, but we are keen to recruit volunteers so that when restrictions lift, we are ready to go.

Enthusiasm and imagination. An interest in and enthusiasm for conservation/ wildlife and passion for sharing that with others. You can have good existing wildlife knowledge or commitment and willingness to learn. The confidence and ability to engage with and inspire the general public of all ages and levels of wildlife knowledge in a friendly and professional manner. A can-do attitude. Excellent communication skills. Happy to volunteer outside and able to spend the day out and about on our reserve paths and hides. Willingness to undertake the training to enable you to complete the family interpreter role for RSPB Old Moor. Some of this training is online, but we will give you the support you need.

Minimum:

Up to 1 day per week

Duration:

Ongoing

Period:

All year round

Use your creativity and imagination to help develop/ deliver stories to give visitors an inside and deeper appreciation of the Dearne Valley's history, wildlife and nature conservation. Share in people's excitement at seeing or learning about something new. The opportunity to meet all sorts of people, through interacting with our visitors of different ages and experience levels and being a valued part of a friendly, supportive team, receive quarterly newsletters about the RSPB in the Dearne Valley and be invited to volunteer events (Covid-dependent). Keeping fit, active and healthy through a varied role out and about on the reserve. Gain a greater understanding of UK wildlife and the RSPB, it's vision and ways of working, and an induction of RSPB Old Moor and our network of sites in the Dearne Valley. The training and regular line management support to help you excel in your wildlife guide role, including the facts behind the stories of our wildlife and history which would interest visitors, storytelling and walk leading skills and vital things like safeguarding our visitors. An opportunity to take pride in and contribute to your local nature reserve and represent the RSPB to our visitors- be recognised as a valued part of the team by your RSPB uniform and name badge. We can provide reference of your volunteering with us, if appropriate

Contact

Elizabeth Harding, Old Moor
Tel: 01226 273830
Email: Elizabeth.Harding@RSPB.ORG.UK

Notes

There is a similar role “Family Interpreter” being advertised. Family Interpreters would also share stories with our visitors but focus on families and telling those tales in a way to engage with children and youth too as well as their parents/ grandparents. Background information, training and uniform will be provided for you. Travel expenses to and from your volunteering can be reimbursed (up to 25 mile radius each way). The RSPB is the country's largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. By volunteering your time and talents you can help us increase our impact and help us protect nature. Like nature, our survival depends on diversity. Nature has no borders and neither do we. We believe that nature is everybody's right and being an equal, diverse organisation is the right thing to do to find solutions to our common challenges. We recognise the value of difference and want all volunteers to feel welcome, included and able to be themselves. We want to better reflect the communities in which we work so particularly welcome more volunteer applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and people under 25. We have a good representation from people with disabilities amongst our volunteers and are open to discussion of any adjustments you may need or want to volunteer.