Not sure if residential volunteering is for you? Take a look at these frequently asked questions.
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Thank you for your interest in becoming a residential volunteer with the RSPB. We hope you’ll find the following information helpful, but if you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll be happy to help.
The volunteering tasks you’ll do will vary from reserve to reserve, but the work will often involve practical land management, welcoming and helping visitors, and supporting species surveys. For example, you might help with:
Please note that the RSPB is not a bird or animal welfare organisation. We do not have the expertise or facilities to care for sick birds, so you will not be involved in work of this kind.
Practical land management tasks are an important part of our work at most of our locations so, if you’re doing this, you should be prepared to undertake strenuous manual labour outside in all weathers. Tasks can be repetitive and may involve walking long distances over rough terrain. However, we will not ask you to do anything beyond your capabilities or that you aren’t comfortable with. Some of our reserves are isolated and have limited access to amenities. Please chat to us about this if you would like any further information or have any concerns.
Visitor experience tasks are also crucial to our mission to save nature, and this can involve membership recruitment and meet and greet activities. These opportunities are less strenuous, but you will need to be confident and feel happy talking to people. They are available mainly through the spring and summer months, from April to September.
We’re committed to doing everything practically possible to make our residential volunteering an enjoyable, inclusive and safe experience that is open and accessible to a wide range of people. We’ll be pleased to hear from you whatever your ability, gender, national and ethnic background, sexual orientation, religious and political beliefs, and marital status.
Anyone over the age of 16 can be a residential volunteer, but most reserves can only accept over 18s. If you’re from outside the UK, unfortunately there are some restrictions. Please refer to the ‘volunteers from overseas’ section below.
We’re always pleased to accept applications from placement students, who need to undertake a period of volunteering as part of a college or university course. Please note, however, that we’re unable to guarantee that we can meet your specific requirements, and we do not enter into contracts with, or on behalf of, our volunteers (eg the Erasmus+ programme).
We will do all we can to accommodate you.
When you apply, please tell us about any medical condition, disability or additional support needs that may affect your volunteering. It is important that you give as much information as possible, so that we can take all necessary steps to ensure your safety, should an emergency arise. Please take any medication with you, and on arrival tell your line manager where you will leave it. All information you give us will be kept strictly confidential.
Please bear in mind that there are limitations at some reserves, due to the nature of the location, tasks or accommodation. Based on any information you provide, we will give full consideration to your request. If you have a disability and would like to volunteer, please contact us so that we can advise you on the most suitable sites and ensure you have the best possible experience.
You’re very welcome to volunteer on your own, but if you’d like to volunteer with a friend or partner, we can accommodate you on some reserves, in double- or twin-bedded rooms, providing you both participate. These spaces are not available at every location.
You don’t need special skills for most of the volunteering opportunities we have. However, some reserves need volunteers who have good bird identification skills and this will be noted in the reserve advert.
A genuine interest in and enthusiasm for nature conservation is essential.
You should be willing to help, even with mundane jobs.
At reserves where the work includes helping visitors, you must feel comfortable talking to people. Volunteers from overseas must have good conversational English.
Long-term placements usually require a driving licence so that you can drive RSPB vehicles.
There is no charge to take part in residential volunteering.
It is your responsibility to cover the cost of your transport to and from the reserve, and to provide and cover the cost of your food during your stay.
The RSPB will provide accommodation, together with basic services, free of charge for the period you are volunteering, and cover any expenses incurred as a necessary part of your work on the reserve.
Accommodation varies from reserve to reserve, but we aim for it to be safe, clean and to meet good standards. We expect you to maintain the volunteer accommodation accordingly, and to report any issues to your line manager immediately. Please be aware that sometimes accommodation can be basic and remote.
We provide a cooker, cooking utensils, cutlery, crockery, a fridge and food storage at all reserves. You are expected to provide and cook all your own food. Unless told otherwise, please take provisions for at least two days: you will be able to obtain further supplies locally.
Not all accommodation has central heating – some may have an open fire or wood-burning stove instead.
At most sites you will need to bring your own pillowcase and sheets/duvet cover, or a sleeping bag. Pillows, duvets and blankets will be provided. Most, but not all, reserves have items such as a washing machine, TV, microwave, iron, etc. However, not all the sites have a reliable internet connection.
We can’t guarantee whether anyone else will be volunteering during your stay or tell you the gender of other volunteers. It’s possible that you will be staying alone in a remote location. Please consider this when choosing a nature reserve.
Please note that pets are not allowed on RSPB reserves, or in the volunteer accommodation. All buildings, vehicles and accommodation are non-smoking.
Volunteers from any country, that hold a valid visa, are welcome to volunteer with us provided that:
It is your responsibility to check before you travel whether you will need to obtain a visa to enter the UK. We cannot advise you directly on whether your visa allows you to volunteer in the UK. We suggest you speak to your consulate, embassy or UK Visas and Immigration for this advice.
We’re unable to provide any licences for sponsorship of volunteers. If you’re unable to volunteer with the RSPB because of visa restrictions, you may still be able to volunteer with one of our 120 BirdLife International partners worldwide.
We welcome applications from volunteers who are looking for placements that last six to twelve months to gain experience in conservation and/or complement an academic qualification or as part of a sandwich course. These are organised following an interview with the reserve staff. Long-term placements require references and are subject to a satisfactory four-week probation/trial period.
Long-term volunteers are nearly always required to have a driving licence so that they can drive the reserve vehicles.
Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award participants can take part in residential volunteering for the residential section of their Gold Award. Always check with your DofE leader first before booking. At the end of your stay, the warden will write the assessor’s report describing your achievements, how you met your goals, what skills you developed and any memorable moments. Please note candidates must stay for a minimum of one week to fulfil the RSPB’s requirements.
