Volunteer with us
From busy bees and social butterflies to all-round good eggs, their commitment to conservation, gardening, wildlife, and our wonderful visitors helps makes Pensthorpe the place it is. Want to join them? Find out more below.
Volunteer opportunities
Whatever your interests or background, there’s a place for you at Pensthorpe. With three different volunteer roles on offer, you’re sure to find something that pricks up your ears. Choose between gardening and visitor interaction. You might be tending to our award-wining gardens, sharing stories with our visitors, or feeding some of our beloved birds. Occasionally we have spaces for volunteers in practical conservation, but at present we are not looking for volunteers in this area.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteers are key to the success of Pensthorpe and a volunteering opportunity here can be a hugely rewarding and enriching experience. Not only will you be contributing to the maintenance and development of our beautiful park, you’ll be learning something new, making friends and enjoying time out and about in nature.
Volunteers are key to the success of Pensthorpe and we want to make sure we repay the favour. Take a look at our volunteer perks:
- You’ll be fed and watered – with a free lunch in our café and unlimited tea and coffee to keep you fuelled.
- You’ll receive free training to help you develop the skills you need, and you’ll be surrounded by friendly people who want you to have fun.
- You’ll receive free entry to the park, so you can come and visit as often as you like.
Have a question?
Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions below.
Our volunteer roles are flexible to suit you. We can accommodate you all year round on any day of the week. Most of our volunteers come for full days, so they can get properly stuck into the task at hand, but we have some activities that might only take a few hours too.
As our volunteer programme has been designed to fit in around your other commitments, it’s an enjoyable addition (rather than a burden) – whether you want to visit on the same day every week or adapt your hours throughout the year to suit your job, a college course or caring responsibilities.
Always bring old clothes suitable for working outdoors, sturdy boots or wellies, hard wearing gloves and waterproofs. Come summertime, a hat and sunscreen are essential!
Once you’ve applied for a volunteer opportunity, you’ll be invited in for a chat with our volunteer coordinator, so we can learn about you and your interests. You’ll then take part in a trial day so we can make sure you’re happy before you make a more formal commitment.
All our volunteers undergo a full induction, which includes health and safety, manual handling training, and information about the park and how we operate. You’ll also be paired with a volunteer buddy who’ll provide you with training specific to your role so you can crack on and feel confident.
Yes, we do! We offer work experience in a variety of departments, from admin and finance to bird husbandry and conservation. Applications are currently closed for 2022, check back here in September for 2023 applications.
How to volunteer
Simply email our volunteer coordinators at volunteer@pensthorpe.com by letting us know which role you’re interested in and tell us a little bit about yourself. We look forward to hearing from you!
Find out a little more about our volunteer roles below:
